An additive manufacturing system includes an additive manufacturing tool configured to supply a plurality of droplets to a part, a temperature control device configured to control a temperature of the part, and a controller configured to control the composition, formation, and application of each droplet to the plurality of droplets to the part independent from control of the temperature of the part via the temperature control device. The plurality of droplets is configured to build up the part. Each droplet of the plurality of droplets includes at least one metallic anchoring material.

A method for joining a first part formed of an aluminum material to a second part formed of a steel material by metal inert gas welding and cold metal transfer is provided. An aluminum filler material forms a fillet joint between the parts and provides a structure for automotive body applications, such an aluminum bumper extrusion joined to a steel crush box connection. The first part includes a notch for hiding the start and end of the joint. A transition plate formed of a mixture of aluminum material and steel material can be disposed between the first part and the second part to provide the notch. The second part can include a mechanical fastener further joining the parts together. In another embodiment, the second part includes a plurality of dimples and is welded to the first part along the dimples.

A technique for creating a weld along a joint. A method begins by positioning a first edge of a first member proximate to a second edge of a second member to form the joint, wherein the joint is to be welded along the length from a first position on the joint to a second position on the joint. A clamping ring of a refill spot welding apparatus is placed to surround an unwelded portion of the length. The clamping ring contacts a top surface of the first member and a top surface of the second member. A first refill spot weld process is performed with the refill spot welding apparatus to join the first member and the second member at a first spot weld on the joint.

A technique for creating a weld along a joint. A method begins by positioning a first edge of a first member proximate to a second edge of a second member to form the joint, wherein the joint is to be welded along the length from a first position on the joint to a second position on the joint. A clamping ring of a refill spot welding apparatus is placed to surround an unwelded portion of the length. The clamping ring contacts a top surface of the first member and a top surface of the second member. A first refill spot weld process is performed with the refill spot welding apparatus to join the first member and the second member at a first spot weld on the joint.

A welding tool includes a tool support and a welding torch coupled to the tool support. The welding tool is configured to rotate relative to the tool support about a welding axis. A locating device is coupled to the tool support and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position, the locating device extends toward the welding axis. The locating device includes a recess at an end of the locating device. The recess is configured such that, when a predetermined object to be welded (such as an anchor rod) is positioned at least partially within the recess of the locating device in the extended position, the welding axis passes through the object to be welded.

A welding tool includes a tool support and a welding torch coupled to the tool support. The welding tool is configured to rotate relative to the tool support about a welding axis. A locating device is coupled to the tool support and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position, the locating device extends toward the welding axis. The locating device includes a recess at an end of the locating device. The recess is configured such that, when a predetermined object to be welded (such as an anchor rod) is positioned at least partially within the recess of the locating device in the extended position, the welding axis passes through the object to be welded.

Disclosed are an adaptive control method and equipment of arc swing in narrow gap welding. The control equipment is composed of an infrared camera system, a computer image processing system, an arc swing parameter control system, a bent-conducting-rod-type swing arc torch and the like. The infrared camera system acquires, in an external triggering manner, an infrared image of welding area when an arc is deviated towards the left or the right side wall groove, extracts information about the width of the groove in real time after image processing by a computer, and calculates an arc swing angle target value. The arc swing parameter control system controls a motor drive mechanism to rotate a bent conducting rod, and drives the welding arc to conduct circular arc swing according to the swing angle target value, thereby realizing the adaptive control for the arc swing angle according to changes of the groove width.

It is configured to include: a light irradiation unit that emits light; a three-dimensional coordinate measurement unit that measures light reflected from a marker attached to a work and a torch and calculates three-dimensional coordinate data of the work and the torch, the work or the marker reflecting the emitted light; and an arithmetic unit that converts a shape of the work into coordinates based on input three-dimensional graphic data and the three-dimensional coordinate data of the work and generates coordinate data of a shape of the work.

The present invention relates to an arc welding method for dissimilar material joining for joining a first plate made of an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy and a second plate made of steel. A steel-made joining assist member has a stepped external shape including a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion, has a hollow portion formed to penetrate the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion, and has a total height of the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion being equal to or larger than a thickness of the first plate. A pressure is applied to the joining assist member to punch the first plate. The hollow portion of the joining assist member is filled with a weld metal. The weld metal is melted until a penetration bead is formed on the second plate, to weld the second plate and the joining assist member together.

The present invention relates to an arc welding method for dissimilar material joining for joining a first plate made of an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy and a second plate made of steel. A steel-made joining assist member has a stepped external shape including a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion, has a hollow portion formed to penetrate the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion, and has a total height of the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion being equal to or larger than a thickness of the first plate. A pressure is applied to the joining assist member to punch the first plate. The hollow portion of the joining assist member is filled with a weld metal. The weld metal is melted until a penetration bead is formed on the second plate, to weld the second plate and the joining assist member together.