Method for semi-automatically reconditioning a railcar articulated connector

A method for semi-automatically reconditioning a railcar articulated connector that comprises a male portion including parent casting material, the male portion comprising an opening configured to receive a pin, the method comprising:

• applying weld material to a bottom bearing surface of the male portion of the articulated connector, wherein the bottom bearing surface is perpendicular to the pin opening;
• mounting a housing defining an interior space to position the male portion of the articulated connector within the interior space;
• centering and stabilizing a fixture laterally on the male portion of the articulated connector;
• inserting a clamping mechanism attached to the housing within the opening of the male portion of the articulated connector to affix the housing to the male portion of the articulated connector;
• securing the clamping mechanism to the opening of the male portion;
• automatically machining at least a portion of the weld and/or parent casting material
• attaching a weld fixture having a catch plate which engages an inner surface of the opening of the male portion of the articulated connector to secure the weld fixture to the male portion;
• and
• automatically applying weld material to at least a portion of the bottom bearing surface of the male portion.

A method for semi-automatically reconditioning a railcar articulated connector comprising:

• attaching a welding fixture to a male portion of an articulated connector;
• automatically applying weld material with a weld device to at least a portion of a bottom bearing surface of the male portion to form an intermittent weld pattern along the bottom bearing surface;
• allowing the male portion to cool;
• removing the male portion from the welding fixture;
• attaching a machining fixture to the male portion;
• and machining at least a portion of the weld material;
• wherein the intermittent weld pattern on the bottom bearing surface comprises 45 degrees minimum of weld alternating with areas of maximum 15 degrees of no-weld.

A method for semi-automatically reconditioning a railcar connector, comprising:

• attaching a welding fixture to a male connector;
• attaching a weld device to the welding fixture;
• positioning a torch nozzle of the weld device in an inverted position along an outer portion of a bottom bearing surface of the male connector;
• and
• moving the torch nozzle inwardly along the bottom bearing surface of the male connector;
• and
• forming an intermittent weld pattern along the bottom bearing surface;
• wherein the forming of an intermittent weld pattern comprises forming a minimum of 45 degrees of weld alternating with a maximum 15 degrees of no-weld.

A method for semi-automatically reconditioning a railcar connector, comprising:

• attaching a welding fixture to a male connector;
• attaching a weld device to the welding fixture;
• positioning a torch nozzle of the weld device along an inner portion of a bottom bearing surface of the male connector;
• rotating the torch nozzle inwardly along the bottom bearing surface of the male connector;
• and
• forming an intermittent weld pattern along the bottom bearing surface, wherein the forming of an intermittent weld pattern comprises forming a minimum of 45 degrees of weld alternating with a maximum 15 degrees of no-weld.