Provided is an articulated welding robot that includes an articulated arm in which a plurality of arm parts are linked via a drive shaft. A welding wire is disposed along the articulated arm. In at least one of the arm parts a depression is formed that forms a hollow on the inner side of the arm. At least a portion of the welding wire is accommodated in the depression.

A electrical connector for removably engaging a welder to a spot welding tool having a first arm in a pivoting engagement to a second arm. The connector features an electrically conductive member engaged to or forming a powered translating shaft of a welder which is surrounded by a housing. The connector engages within a passage formed in a coupling to communicate forward and rearward movement and electric current to a first arm of a spot welding tool.

A spot welding assembly for welding a first work piece to a second work piece. The spot welding assembly includes a base. A base electrode is coupled with the base for supporting the first work piece. A welding gun is moveable toward and away from the base. A gun electrode is coupled with the welding gun for supporting the second work piece and for locating the second work piece against the first work piece upon movement of the welding gun toward the base to allow the first and second work pieces to be welded to one another. The base electrode is rotatable and pivotable relative to the base, and the gun electrode is rotatable and pivotable relative to the welding gun.

A current source module for joining methods with current-generated heat support that includes a base body formed monolithically as a single component, having a first immovable attachment element for connecting a first joining tool and at least one formed first receiving space. In the first receiving space, a control element is disposed including a linearly movable second attachment element for connecting to a second joining tool, and in the first or additional receiving space a transformer unit for electrical supply is disposed. Furthermore, a welding gun is provided that includes such current source module, and a first joining tool formed as an immovable electrode arm, and a second joining tool formed as a movable electrode arm, wherein the immovable arm is connected to the first attachment element and the movable arm is connected to the second linearly movable attachment element, wherein the electrode arms include electrodes connected to the transformer.

A spot welding apparatus includes a spot welding gun and a welding gun control apparatus. The welding gun control apparatus includes a pressurizing force control part controlling the pressurizing force, a position control part controlling the position of at least one electrode, and a determination part determining whether or not the welding is performed in a normal state. The position control part controls an electrode drive motor so as to hold the electrodes, after the supply of the electric current is started, at positions when the initial pressurizing force is applied before the electric current is supplied. The determination part acquires the pressurizing force and determines whether or not the welding is performed in a normal state based on change tendency in the pressurizing force.

A cooling device includes a refrigerant circulation channel, and a pump configured to pump refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation channel A heat generating part of an articulated robot includes a heat generating part of an end effector, and a part of the refrigerant circulation channel is formed as a first heat exchanging part configured to exchange heat between the heat generating part of the end effector and the refrigerant, and another part of the refrigerant circulation channel is formed as a radiator. The radiator is a passive radiator, and is attached in an exposed state to a part of the surface of an arm, configured to move in a space when a joint of the arm is driven.

A welding gun includes: a moving mechanism portion (ball screw mechanism) for moving a movable electrode back and forth; a motor that includes a rotor and drives the moving mechanism portion to move the movable electrode back and forth; and a brake mechanism that prevents rotation of the rotor during a braking operation, wherein the brake mechanism includes an annular brake disc that is attached to an outer peripheral surface of the rotor and rotates integrally with the rotor, and a clamping portion that prevents rotation of the brake disc by clamping the brake disc during the braking operation.

A resistance welding pinch protection system for use with a resistance welder, comprising a sensor array adapted to be secured around the base of a positive electrode of the resistance welder, the sensor array including a plurality of proximity sensors positioned along a perimeter of the sensor array, the plurality of proximity sensors defining an electrode operation field around the positive electrode, an input/output interface to be operatively connected to the resistance welder, and at least one processor in communication with the plurality of proximity sensors and the input/output interface, wherein in use, during the lowering of the positive electrode, the at least one processor interrupts the control signal to the resistance welding controller in order to stop the welding sequence, raising the positive electrode in response to the detection of an obstacle within the electrode operation field.

An apparatus includes a housing, a pin, a mechanism and a sensor. The housing is configured to receive a weld head. The pin is configured to move linearly relative to said housing. The mechanism is configured to convert a position of said pin into a displacement. The sensor is configured to generate a value representative of said position of said pin based on said displacement.

An apparatus includes a housing, a pin, a mechanism and a sensor. The housing is configured to receive a weld head. The pin is configured to move linearly relative to said housing. The mechanism is configured to convert a position of said pin into a displacement. The sensor is configured to generate a value representative of said position of said pin based on said displacement.