A method for checking quality when resistance-welding workpiece includes pressing welding electrodes with an electrode force against a weld spot of the workpieces using an electrode drive and energizing the welding electrodes with a welding current for a duration of a welding time in order to liquefy a surface of the workpieces. The method further includes determining, at a first time before a beginning of the liquefaction, a first value of a welding electrode parameter identifying a position of one or both electrodes, and determining, at a second time after the beginning of the liquefaction, a second value of the welding electrode parameter identifying a position of one or both electrodes. The method further includes comparing the first value and the second value and, evaluating a quality of the welding process based on the comparison.

A method for checking quality when resistance-welding workpiece includes pressing welding electrodes with an electrode force against a weld spot of the workpieces using an electrode drive and energizing the welding electrodes with a welding current for a duration of a welding time in order to liquefy a surface of the workpieces. The method further includes determining, at a first time before a beginning of the liquefaction, a first value of a welding electrode parameter identifying a position of one or both electrodes, and determining, at a second time after the beginning of the liquefaction, a second value of the welding electrode parameter identifying a position of one or both electrodes. The method further includes comparing the first value and the second value and, evaluating a quality of the welding process based on the comparison.

A method of manufacturing a joining apparatus includes: providing a first metal member including an opening and a joint structure; providing a second metal member including an outer circumferential wall capable of contacting an inner circumferential wall that surrounds the opening and a joined structure, to which the joint structure is joined; causing the first metal member and the second metal member to move relative to each other, bringing one of a first joining section, which is configured by the inner circumferential wall and the outer circumferential wall, and a second joining section, which is configured by the joint structure and the joined structure, into contact, and separating the other joining section; starting energization between the first and the second metal members; bringing components of the other joining section into contact with each other; and joining the first and second joining sections by the relative movement and the energization.

A method of manufacturing a joining apparatus includes: providing a first metal member including an opening and a joint structure; providing a second metal member including an outer circumferential wall capable of contacting an inner circumferential wall that surrounds the opening and a joined structure, to which the joint structure is joined; causing the first metal member and the second metal member to move relative to each other, bringing one of a first joining section, which is configured by the inner circumferential wall and the outer circumferential wall, and a second joining section, which is configured by the joint structure and the joined structure, into contact, and separating the other joining section; starting energization between the first and the second metal members; bringing components of the other joining section into contact with each other; and joining the first and second joining sections by the relative movement and the energization.

An apparatus for supplying a welding tip of a welder and an apparatus for replacing the same include a fixed bracket secured to a support. The apparatus includes an actuator coupled to the fixed bracket and a first moving member moved by the actuator. A second moving member is coupled to the first moving member and hingedly coupled to the fixed bracket. A third moving member is hingedly coupled to the second moving member. A first welding tip removal member is coupled to the third moving member to separate a welding to tip coupled to a shank. A fourth moving member is disposed opposite to the first moving member. A fifth moving member is coupled to the fourth moving member and hingedly coupled to the fixed bracket. A sixth moving member is coupled to the fifth moving member. A second welding tip removal member is coupled to the sixth moving member.

An apparatus for supplying a welding tip of a welder and an apparatus for replacing the same include a fixed bracket secured to a support. The apparatus includes an actuator coupled to the fixed bracket and a first moving member moved by the actuator. A second moving member is coupled to the first moving member and hingedly coupled to the fixed bracket. A third moving member is hingedly coupled to the second moving member. A first welding tip removal member is coupled to the third moving member to separate a welding to tip coupled to a shank. A fourth moving member is disposed opposite to the first moving member. A fifth moving member is coupled to the fourth moving member and hingedly coupled to the fixed bracket. A sixth moving member is coupled to the fifth moving member. A second welding tip removal member is coupled to the sixth moving member.

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.

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.

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 Mobile Electric Flash-Butt (EFB) Welding apparatus that incorporates an automated geometry system which creates field/mobile EFB welds with proper vertical alignment, within a definable distance. The system has a first pair of adjustable reference points on a left side of a mobile welding apparatus. The system has a second pair of adjustable reference points on the right side of the welding apparatus. The system has a first lifting mechanism positioned between the first pair of adjustable reference points and a second lifting mechanism positioned between the second pair of adjustable reference points. The welding line is positioned between the first and second pair of adjustable reference points and is the location of the weld. The system allows for comparatively shorter inserts than previously utilized.