Methods and systems for using near field communication (NFC) protocol and logic to calibrate welding operations and systems are described. Further, methods and systems for using NFC logic and tags are described for networking, calibrating and linking components that comprise welding systems.

An example robotic tool holder includes an actuator that is disposed within a housing and configured to hold a tool. The housing and the actuator are in contact via dowels to limit movement of the actuator toward a distal end of the housing. Ones of the dowels that are in contact are in line contact and the ones of the dowels that are in contact are in a triangular geometry. The pressure plate is in line contact with the actuator within the housing around a circumference of the pressure plate. The springs are in contact with the pressure plate to bias the actuator toward a proximal end of the housing via the pressure plate. The springs are in contact with the mounting plate opposite the pressure plate. The sensor switch detects a shock force on the actuator and outputs a signal in response to the shock force.

A robot includes a first arm rotatable around a first axis, a second arm connected to the first arm at a second axis which is parallel to the first axis and around which the second arm is rotatable, a third arm connected to the second arm at a third axis which is parallel to the first axis and around which the third arm is rotatable, a distal-end swingable portion rotatably connected to the third arm, a distal end rotatably connected to the distal-end swingable portion, a fourth actuator configured to rotate the distal-end swingable portion and including a first motor having a first motor rotation axis, and a fifth actuator configured to rotate the distal end and including a second motor having a second motor rotation axis that is parallel to the first motor rotation axis.

The seam welding apparatus includes a pair of rotating electrodes, an electrode supporting frame, a distance measuring means, and a controller. The electrode supporting frame supports the pair of rotating electrodes. The distance measuring means is provided on the electrode supporting frame and measures a distance to an edge of the steel plate. The controller controls the robot to adjust a running direction of the rotating electrodes so that a deviation comes into zero when a distance actually measured by the distance measuring means deviates from a predetermined distance. Thereby, it is accomplished that the seam welding apparatus is downsized as well as uninfluenced by the surface state and/or shape of workpiece (steel plate).

Disclosed herein are apparatus, methods, and techniques directed to the manufacturing of heat sinks; specifically the forming of heat sink fins which are joined to a base or substrate so to collectively form a heat sink. Said methods permit full penetration at weld joints between said heat sink fins and said base, and said apparatus permit implementation of improved heat sink manufacturing in a production setting; specifically, in the production of LED lighting fixtures.

An automated welding system includes a welding robot and control circuitry. The welding bug robot includes a welding torch. The welding bug robot is configured to move on a track disposed around a circumference of a first pipe and perform a root pass welding operation at a joint between the first pipe and a second pipe. The control circuitry is configured to control movement of the welding bug robot around the circumference of the first pipe, apply a high energy welding phase via the welding torch to establish a first root condition, and apply a low energy welding phase via the welding torch to establish a second root condition.

End effectors having compaction feet for welding thermoplastic parts of thermoplastic composite laminated articles are described. An example end effector is to be coupled to a robot. The end effector includes a welding head. The welding head includes a welder having a first central axis and a compaction foot having a second central axis. The welder is movable along the first central axis between a first retracted position and a first extended position relative to a surface of the end effector. The compaction foot circumscribes the welder and is movable along the second central axis between a second retracted position and a second extended position relative to the surface.

An electronically-controlled electric resistance welding head and method having a support structure and the electrodes located on the same side. The welding head including a ground electrode having an elastic device and a detecting device for detecting a force load on the elastic device on contact with a component to be welded. A welding electrode is movable relative to the ground electrode and the support structure to contact the component to be welded. An electronic control unit is operable to selectively increase the force applied by each electrode when in contact with the component to be welded until respective threshold values are achieved. Current is generated by a transformer for passage to the electrodes.

A quick change end effector system for use with a robot includes: a quick change end effector configured for application to a task to be completed by a robot, the quick change end effector further comprising an end effector magnet; and a robotic manipulator configured to lock to the end effector, the robotic manipulator further configured to use the end effector to complete the task, the robotic manipulator comprising a manipulator magnet, the manipulator magnet being configured to magnetically attract the end effector magnet, thereby locking the manipulator in a mechanically strong connection to the quick change end effector, wherein upon disengagement of the magnetic attraction locking the manipulator to the quick change end effector, the quick change end effector can be quickly removed from the manipulator.

A system and method detect weld defects in real time. Cameras capture images of a weld pool as well as ripple shape and fillet geometry. A processor receives the images and communicates with a database that stores correlated potential weld defects with images of a mock weld molten pool and images of a mock weld ripple shape and fillet geometry. The processor computes an aggregate probability that a weld position corresponding to the images captured by the cameras contains a defect based on the potential defects correlated in the database.