A new electrospark deposition (ESD) method and related system are provided in the present invention based on the use of a magnetized electrode, namely magnetic-aided ESD (M-ESD). In particular, the present invention uses a magnetized electrode (either magnetized by an electro-magnet or being a permanent magnet) to attract fine coating powders at the tip thereof which acts as a soft brush to coat on intricate surface profiles. Accordingly, the method of the present invention is able to provide a soft contact between the magnetized anode and the workpiece to be coated or manipulated. The present invention is useful in various surface engineering applications in the fields of aeronautical (e.g. restoration and repair of damaged aircraft turbine blades), nuclear reactors, military engineering, and in medical industries. As compared to conventional ESD, the present invention can address complicated surface geometries and internal surfaces while the cost can be significantly lowered by using inexpensive components and simplified method steps.

In certain embodiments, a welding contact tip includes a first axial end portion having a welding wire outlet of an internal bore of the welding contact tip. The welding contact tip also includes a threaded middle portion adjacent the first axial end portion. The threaded middle portion includes external threads configured to mate with internal threads of a gas diffuser of a welding torch. The first axial end portion includes a tapered outer surface adjacent the threaded middle portion. In other embodiments, a welding torch assembly includes a gas diffuser having an outer circumferential groove having an outer surface with first and second walls that extend radially outward from first and second opposite axial sides of the outer surface, a nozzle having an inner circumferential rib with a tapered inner surface, and a compressible member disposed within the outer circumferential groove of the gas diffuser and the inner circumferential rib of the nozzle.

In certain embodiments, a welding contact tip includes a first axial end portion having a welding wire outlet of an internal bore of the welding contact tip. The welding contact tip also includes a threaded middle portion adjacent the first axial end portion. The threaded middle portion includes external threads configured to mate with internal threads of a gas diffuser of a welding torch. The first axial end portion includes a tapered outer surface adjacent the threaded middle portion. In other embodiments, a welding torch assembly includes a gas diffuser having an outer circumferential groove having an outer surface with first and second walls that extend radially outward from first and second opposite axial sides of the outer surface, a nozzle having an inner circumferential rib with a tapered inner surface, and a compressible member disposed within the outer circumferential groove of the gas diffuser and the inner circumferential rib of the nozzle.

A contact chip for welding, having a housing member with a tapered tip, an abrasion-resistant core member in the housing member, and an adapter member at the rear end of the housing member. The housing member has a first insertion hole as an outlet for a welding wire. The core member has a second insertion hole through which the welding wire is inserted. The adapter member has a third insertion hole through which the welding wire is inserted, and also has on the inner wall surface of its tip end part a taper surface whose diameter gradually decreases toward the tip end so that a space part is formed in the front of the core member. The welding wire is inserted through the first to third insertion holes and the space part so that the wire protrudes from the tip end of the contact chip.

A contact tip assembly having an electric contact unit containing a contact tip with an electric energy source, where the electric contact unit is positioned at a distance away from the outlet opening of a guide.

A contact tip assembly having an electric contact unit containing a contact tip with an electric energy source, where the electric contact unit is positioned at a distance away from the outlet opening of a guide.

Reversible contact tips and welding assemblies for reversible contact tips are disclosed. An example welding contact tip includes a first axial end portion having a welding wire outlet of an inner bore of the welding contact tip, a threaded middle portion adjacent the first axial end portion, wherein the threaded middle portion comprises external threads configured to mate with internal threads of a gas diffuser of a welding torch, and a second axial end portion adjacent the threaded middle portion.

A welding torch maintenance apparatus and a welding tip changer are described. The welding torch maintenance apparatus and the welding tip changing apparatus each comprise a first gripping means for fastening the welding torch/diffuser so that the nozzle/welding tip is aligned with the rotational axis, a second gripping means for holding the nozzle/welding tip, the second gripping means rotates about the rotational axis to remove the nozzle/welding tip, and moves along the rotational axis. A drive means is provided for rotating the second gripping means, and a lift system is provided for moving the second gripping along the rotational axis. The welding torch maintenance apparatus further includes a cleaning means which enters the nozzle at the distal end and cleans an interior of the nozzle.

A welding torch maintenance apparatus and a welding tip changer are described. The welding torch maintenance apparatus and the welding tip changing apparatus each comprise a first gripping means for fastening the welding torch/diffuser so that the nozzle/welding tip is aligned with the rotational axis, a second gripping means for holding the nozzle/welding tip, the second gripping means rotates about the rotational axis to remove the nozzle/welding tip, and moves along the rotational axis. A drive means is provided for rotating the second gripping means, and a lift system is provided for moving the second gripping along the rotational axis. The welding torch maintenance apparatus further includes a cleaning means which enters the nozzle at the distal end and cleans an interior of the nozzle.

On an inner peripheral surface defining a through hole of a first rotator, provided is a positioning member for bringing the center axis of a contact tip, housed in the through hole, into alignment with a rotational axis, or making the former axis proximate to the latter axis, by coming into contact with an outer peripheral surface of the contact tip.