A spot-welding electrode assembly includes an electrode, an electrode cap at an outer end of the electrode, and a plurality of transducer elements positioned inward of the electrode cap. The transducer elements may be micro-elements. A method for monitoring a weld formed by a spot-welder includes passing current from an electrode assembly through a stack-up, transmitting an ultrasonic wave from each of a plurality of sources in the electrode assembly to a plurality of points in the stack-up, and monitoring the ultrasonic waves to monitor the weld formation.

A plurality of aluminum materials overlapped with each other are sandwiched between electrodes for spot welding. After main energization to form a nugget between the aluminum materials sandwiched between the electrodes, pulsation energization in which energization and stop of the energization are repeated a plurality of times is performed. A current value in the pulsation energization is set to be greater than a current value of the main energization, the energization and stop of the energization are repeated at least three times in the pulsation energization, and an energization stop period is increased from a first half of the pulsation energization to a second half of the pulsation energization.

Wiring is disclosed herein that is configured to supply IRE ablation signals through a catheter body and is resistant against dielectric breakdown, arcing, and noise during ablation. The wiring includes a highly conductive core, a conductive cover surrounding the core that has lower electrical and/or thermal conductivity than the core, and an insulative jacket surrounding the conductive cover. A catheter including such wiring may be suitable for supplying electrical signals to tissue to perform IRE ablation. In some examples, such a catheter can also be suitable for reversible electroporation and/or RF ablation.

An electrode tip impact tool for mounting an electrode tip to a welding robot includes a handle and a head at an end of the handle. The head includes a first edge comprising a tip-receiving bore sized to receive an electrode tip and an opposite second edge comprising a raised ridge for striking the head with a hammer.

Provided is a tip dresser which is highly capable of collecting chips. A chip collection unit 8 is provided under a body case 2, the chip collection unit 8 configured to collect chips M1 produced in a cutaway part 4a of a rotary holder 4 during a cutting operation and falling downwardly through a lower communication hole 20b of the body case 2. The chip collection unit 8 includes a chip guiding member 81 provided on one lateral side of a chip falling area R1 that is located downwardly of the lower communication hole 20b, and a first air discharge unit 82 provided on another lateral side of the chip falling area R1. The chip guiding member 81 includes at one end thereof a chip collection port 81b located corresponding to the chip falling area R1, and is connected at another end thereof to a chip collector 83 capable of collecting the chips M1. The first air discharge unit 82 includes an air nozzle 82a configured to discharge compressed air towards the chip collection port 81b.

A swing arm assembly is provided for a spot welding machine. The swing arm assembly can accommodate a tip dresser or a tip exchanger and can include a lift assembly that can translate the tip dresser from a first position to a second position along a lateral axis.

Structures for a tool surface of a downhole tool are constructed from a metal clay molded in a wet state. The wet state clay is a workable combination that can have a braze alloy grain, a tungsten carbide grain, and a binder. Additional cutting inserts can be embedded in the molded clay. Heat treatment applied to the molded metal clay causing the binder to be combusted and consumed. The braze alloy melts and then cools into a fused state with the tungsten carbide grain therein. The structure can affix to the tool surface of the tool by first being fused and then attached by brazing to the tool. Alternatively, the structure can be positioned in a fusible state adjacent the tool surface. When the heat treatment is applied, the structure fuses together and forms a metallurgical bond with the tool surface of the tool.

Structures for a tool surface of a downhole tool are constructed from a metal clay molded in a wet state. The wet state clay is a workable combination that can have a braze alloy grain, a tungsten carbide grain, and a binder. Additional cutting inserts can be embedded in the molded clay. Heat treatment applied to the molded metal clay causing the binder to be combusted and consumed. The braze alloy melts and then cools into a fused state with the tungsten carbide grain therein. The structure can affix to the tool surface of the tool by first being fused and then attached by brazing to the tool. Alternatively, the structure can be positioned in a fusible state adjacent the tool surface. When the heat treatment is applied, the structure fuses together and forms a metallurgical bond with the tool surface of the tool.

Rivet dispenser reloading systems and methods of use thereof are provided. A non-limiting embodiment of a rivet dispenser reloading system comprises a receiving member defining a channel therein, and a first gate. The rivet receiving member comprises a first port and a second port that communicate with the channel. The first port is configured to receive rivets. The second port is configured to selectively engage with a rivet dispenser and introduce rivets to the rivet dispenser. The channel extends between the first port and the second port and is configured to transport rivets from the first port to the second port in a series arrangement and in a preselected orientation. The first gate is in communication with the second port and is selectively positionable between a first configuration inhibiting movement of rivets through the second port, and a second configuration enabling movement of rivets through the second port.

A joining device includes: a pair of pressing members disposed to face each other to sandwich joining target members from both sides in a stacking direction of the joining target members and configured to press the joining target members; and power supply members disposed on one or both sides in the stacking direction of the joining target members to sandwich a pressing target portion of the joining target members by the pressing members and configured to come into contact with and supply power to the joining target members. The power supply members are provided at positions not overlapping the pressing members in the stacking direction of the joining target members, and the pressing members press the joining target members while the power supply members supply power to the joining target members, thereby generating resistance heat in the pressing target portion and joining the joining target members.