GB1382193A - Automatic welding apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1382193 Welding by fusion SOC ANON AUTOMOBILES CITROEN 13 Oct 1972 [21 Oct 1971] 47375/72 Heading B3R Automatic fusion welding apparatus comprises a movable sub-apparatus 9 which is selectively conneotible to a stationary main frame 1 of the apparatus, said sub-apparatus being adapted to effect a particular weld and comprising at least one welding head 22, a workpiece holder 17 and means 24 to relatively move said head and holder, and the main frame comprising service means including the welding energy source. The fusion welding may be flame (e.g. oxy-acetylene), or are with non- consumable or consumable electrodes and, if required, active or inert gas shielding. In the apparatus shown, the stationary frame 1 supports the welding energy source, a control panel 4 (including control for the means 24), reels 2 for supplying electrode wire 3 and a welding fume collecting device 5, and may support shielding gas containers. The frame 1 also comprises a horizontal guide rail 6 supporting, via rollers 8, a detachable, subapparatus-mounting, platform 7d, 7e which is introduced on to the rail at end 6a thereof and movable on the rail to and from a working station bay 7b and waiting station bays 7a, 7c. The platform comprises two parts 7d, 7e which can be brought together and centred by pins 10. Columns 11 of the frame support jacks for raising and lowering the upper part, the lower part or the whole of the platform. The subapparatus 9 comprises heads 22 rotatable by a drive unit 24, adjustable fume extraction nozzles 27 and the workpiece holder 17. With the sub-apparatus 9 mounted on a platform and the latter positioned at the working station bay 7b, the heads 22, nozzles 27 and device 24 are connected to corresponding service means on the stationary frame, as by lines 14, 28-30, and by rapidly effected connections such as mating flanges, for fume extraction (Fig. 2, not shown), completed by raising the whole platform with respect to the frame. In operation, the sub-apparatus is suitably prepared for a particular operation and mounted on a platform which is closed up and then mounted on the rail 6, moved to the working station bay 7b, and raised to complete the various connections between the frame and the sub-apparatus. Workpiece loading is provided for by raising and lowering the lower platform part 7e.