An apparatus for supplying a welding tip of a welder and an apparatus for replacing the same include a fixed bracket secured to a support. The apparatus includes an actuator coupled to the fixed bracket and a first moving member moved by the actuator. A second moving member is coupled to the first moving member and hingedly coupled to the fixed bracket. A third moving member is hingedly coupled to the second moving member. A first welding tip removal member is coupled to the third moving member to separate a welding tip coupled to a shank. A fourth moving member is disposed opposite to the first moving member. A fifth moving member is coupled to the fourth moving member and hingedly coupled to the fixed bracket. A sixth moving member is coupled to the fifth moving member. A second welding tip removal member is coupled to the sixth moving member.

The application describes a machine tool adapted and arranged to carry out removal and addition of material on a work piece located in a work station, the machine having a first head arranged to remove material from the work piece and at least a second head arranged to process the work piece, each of the first and second heads being arranged to be moveable in at least two axes and preferably in 3, 4 or 5 axes and wherein the machine is arranged to control an environment of the work station. The work station is at least partially sealable. The machine has a clean side and a dirty side. Novel processing heads particularly adapted for use in the new machine tool are disclosed. These may also be retrofitted to CNC machines. The novel heads include heads adapted to carry out two processes simultaneously. Heads adapted to carry out heat and pressure treatment are also disclosed. Use of the processing beads to carry out analysis in manufacturing steps is disclosed as is the provision and use of heads that can carry out analysis as well as processing.

A brush (400) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) to a workpiece (170) from an end-effector (102) is disclosed. The brush (400) comprises a body (402), having a rotational axis (438). The brush (400) also comprises a shaft (404), coupled to the body (402) and coaxial with the rotational axis (438). Additionally, the brush (400) comprises a tube (430), having a first end (411) and a second end (412), opposite the first end (411). The tube (430) comprises a first channel (408), coaxial with the rotational axis (438) and having an inlet (409) and an outlet (480). Furthermore, the tube (430) extends from the body (402) in a first direction (A) along the rotational axis (438), to the second end (412). The brush (400) further comprises bristles (420) that surround a portion of the tube (430), wherein the bristles (420) extend from the body (402) in the first direction (A).

An apparatus (102) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) from a cartridge (166) to a brush (298) is disclosed. The apparatus (102) comprises a sleeve (106) and a pressure-cap assembly (104). The pressure-cap assembly (104) comprises a pressure cap (110), proximate an inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure cap (110) comprises a pressure input (118), selectively operable to apply pressure to the glutinous substance (168) in the cartridge (166) when the cartridge (166) is received within the sleeve (106), the pressure cap (110) is in the closed position, and a leading end (167) of the cartridge (166) is in sealed engagement with a valve (154). The apparatus (102) further comprises a brush-arm assembly (176), configured to retain the brush (298) and capable of rotating the brush (298). The valve (154) is selectively operable to enable the glutinous substance (168) to flow from the cartridge (166) to the brush (298).

An installation device (300) for coupling a tip (160) to a body (110) of an applicator (102). The applicator (102) comprises a coupler (154), releasably engageable with the tip (160) to interlock the tip (160) with the body (110). The installation device (300) comprises a tip holder (362) that comprises two resilient pawls (361), configured to releasably retain the tip (160). A removal device (400) for decoupling a tip (160) from a body (110) of an applicator (102). The removal device (400) comprising a wall (430), a through channel (460) in the wall (430), a pawl (404) coupled to the wall (430), and a wedge extending from the wall (430).

An applicator (102) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) to a workpiece (170) from an end-effector (101). The applicator (102) comprises a body (110), comprising a first channel (115), and comprises a tip (160), configured to be releasably attached to the body (110). The tip (160) comprises a through cavity (162), communicatively coupled with an outlet portion (182) of the first channel (115) when the tip (160) is coupled with the body (110). The applicator (102) also comprises a coupler (154), configured to releasably attach the tip (160) to the body (110) by interlocking with the tip (160) and with the body (110) such that the coupler (154) has no more than three degrees of freedom relative to the tip (160) and the body (110). The applicator (102) further comprises a retainer (156), configured to maintain the coupler (154) interlocked with the body (110) and with the tip (160).

An apparatus (102) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) from a cartridge (166) to an applicator (154) is disclosed. The apparatus (102) comprises a sleeve (106) and a pressure-cap assembly (104) coupled to the sleeve (106). The pressure-cap assembly (104) comprises a pressure cap (110) proximate an inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure cap (110) is movable between, inclusively, a closed position, in which the pressure cap (110) is in sealed engagement with a trailing end (169) of the cartridge (166), and an open position, in which the pressure cap (110) provides clearance sufficient for insertion of the cartridge (166) inside the sleeve (106) through the inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure cap (110) comprises a pressure input (118), through which pressure is selectively applied to the glutinous substance (168) in the cartridge (166). The apparatus (102) also comprises an applicator interface (108) proximate the outlet (128) of the sleeve (106).

An apparatus (102) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) from a cartridge (166) to an applicator (254) comprises a sleeve (106) and a pressure-cap assembly (104). The pressure-cap assembly (104) comprises a pressure cap (110), proximate an inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure-cap assembly (104) also comprises an actuator (114), coupled to the pressure cap (110) and to the sleeve (106). The apparatus (102) further comprises an automated coupler (223), configured to automatically reversibly sealingly couple the applicator (254) with the leading end (167) of the cartridge (166).

An apparatus (812) for loading and unloading a brush (822) to and from a brush-arm assembly (802) of an end-effector (102) is disclosed. The apparatus (812) comprises a base (814) and a carriage (818), which is movable along an axis (A) at least to a first position, a second position, or a third position relative to the base (814). The carriage (818) comprises a brush receptacle (820), configured to prevent movement of the brush (822) in a first direction, but not in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, when the brush (822) is placed in the brush receptacle (820). The apparatus (812) also comprises a stationary component (832), fixed relative to the base (814) and configured to prevent movement of the brush-arm assembly (802) in the second direction. Additionally, the apparatus (812) comprises a linear actuator (816), configured to move the carriage (818).

Disclosed are an apparatus for supplying a welding tip of a welder and an apparatus for replacing the same, which can automatically supply or replace a welding tip of a welding robot that is used in a vehicle body production factory, etc. The apparatus for replacing a welding tip of a welder of the present invention comprises: a fixed bracket secured to a support; an actuator coupled to the fixed bracket; a first moving member that is moved by the actuator; a second moving member coupled to the first moving member and hingedly coupled to the fixed bracket; a third moving member hingedly coupled to the second moving member; a first welding tip removal member coupled to the third moving member to separate a welding tip coupled to a shank; a fourth moving member that is moved by the actuator and is disposed opposite to the first moving member; a fifth moving member coupled to the fourth moving member and hingedly coupled to the fixed bracket; a sixth moving member coupled to the fifth moving member; and a second welding tip removal member that is coupled to the sixth moving member and moves in relation to the first welding tip removal member.