A joining apparatus for panel sheets and a joining method for panel sheets using the same are provided. The joining apparatus includes an element punching device which stores and supplies elements according to a specification of a panel sheet and inserts the element into a first panel sheet among different types of panel sheets. Additionally, a welding device resistively welds a part of the first panel sheet into which the element is inserted by the element punching device.

A combination component handling and connecting device connectable to a multi-axis robot for use in moving and connecting components and subassemblies includes a housing and an actuator fixedly connected to the housing. The actuator includes an actuating link movable from a first position to a second position. Connected to the actuating link is an end effector for concurrent movement with the actuating link. The component handling and connecting device includes a clamp having a first jaw and a second jaw. The second jaw is connected to the actuating link for selectively moving the second jaw toward the first jaw operative to engage a component.

After selecting a robot for carrying out a welding operation at a given welding spot, the cross-section of a welding gun with which that robot is provided and the cross-section of a workpiece at the welding spot are compared. Furthermore, a determination is made as to whether or not welding is possible without the welding gun and the workpiece coming into contact. When it is determined to be impossible, a substitute robot for carrying out the welding of the welding spot is selected. With the present invention, the automatic selection of the robot for carrying out the welding operation for the welding spot becomes possible. Therefore, the number of steps for robot selection can be reduced.

The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a spot welding arrangement, the method comprising the steps of moving a welding tip portion of the spot welding arrangement between a first and a second position by applying a force to the welding tip portion; determining a distance moved between the first and second positions; determining a type of welding yoke connected to the spot welding arrangement based on the determined distance and the applied force; and controlling settings of the spot welding arrangement based on the welding yoke connected to the spot welding arrangement.

An electric spot welding head for a multi-axis industrial robot that has a compact configuration, particularly in a longitudinal direction that goes from the end of the head for the attachment to the robot wrist towards the welding electrodes. This result is achieved primarily by the fact that the electrical transformer mounted on the head has its output connected to the electrode-holding arms arranged, respectively, on a front wall of the body of the transformer and on an end wall of the body of the transformer, for the connection to the electrode-holding arms of the head. The structure of the welding head is completely covered by a casing having a rear opening for connection to the robot wrist and a front opening from which the electrode arms of the welding head protrude.

This seam-welding device carries out seam welding while repeating one cycle comprising a melting period, an interruption period, and a heating period implemented either before or after the interruption period. A welding current is applied between a pair of roller electrodes so as to form a welded part between workpieces during the melting period, the application of the current between the roller electrode pair is interrupted so as to solidify the welded part during the interruption period, and a heating current smaller than the welding current is applied between the roller electrode pair so as to heat the laminated body within a solidification temperature range of the welded part during the heating period. Consequently, even when the welding speed is increased, formation of cracks and spatter is effectively suppressed such that a high-quality joined product is obtained.

A resistance welding method for welding a stack of three or more workpieces. The method includes the steps of holding a first welding tip in abutment against a first outermost workpiece, holding a second welding tip in abutment against a second outermost workpiece, and holding a pressing member in abutment against the first outermost workpiece. The method also includes the steps of gripping the stacked assembly with the first welding tip, the second welding tip, and the pressing member and passing an electric current between the first welding electrode and the second welding electrode.

A spot welding apparatus may include a fixed welding machine coupled to a fixing frame having a mounting portion mounted on an arm of a robot, a guide plate mounted on the fixing frame, one or more moving welding machines mounted to be selectively and slidingly movable along a longitudinal direction of the guide plate, and an operating unit configured to selectively move the moving welding machine.

A weld head for spot welding two or more components together. The weld head includes first and second electrode assemblies and a linear actuator motor to drive the first electrode assembly into a desired position and apply a desired clamping force. The weld head also includes a temperature sensor coupled to the linear actuator motor and configured to measure a temperature of the linear actuator motor. The weld head also includes a controller configured to monitor the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and, based upon the temperature, adjust the current supplied to the linear actuator motor to maintain the desired clamping force.

A welding apparatus includes: a welding machine having a lower arm member, an upper arm member, and electrodes configured to advance and retreat; a robot device to which the welding machine is mounted; a support member including a vertical member substantially in a vertical direction, and a horizontal member substantially in a horizontal direction. The vertical member is mounted on one of the lower arm member and the upper arm member at a position away from the electrode of the one of the lower arm member and the upper arm member; and a parts-feeding device mounted to the horizontal member and configured to feed parts to the electrode.