An apparatus for measuring alignment of a welding gun comprises a case comprising an interior space and an open side, a supporting member mounted to the interior space, an upper block comprising a first end fixed to the supporting member, formed with an upper tip insertion hole at a second end, hinge-engaged with an upper pin mounted to the case and configured to rotate when an upper tip is misaligned, an upper sensor unit mounted adjacent to the upper block to detect rotation of the upper block, a lower block having a first end fixed to the supporting member, formed with a lower tip insertion hole at a second end, hinge-engaged with a lower pin mounted to the case, and configured to rotate when a lower tip is misaligned, and a lower sensor unit mounted adjacent to the lower block configured to detect rotation of the lower block.

An apparatus for measuring alignment of a welding gun comprises a case comprising an interior space and an open side, a supporting member mounted to the interior space, an upper block comprising a first end fixed to the supporting member, formed with an upper tip insertion hole at a second end, hinge-engaged with an upper pin mounted to the case and configured to rotate when an upper tip is misaligned, an upper sensor unit mounted adjacent to the upper block to detect rotation of the upper block, a lower block having a first end fixed to the supporting member, formed with a lower tip insertion hole at a second end, hinge-engaged with a lower pin mounted to the case, and configured to rotate when a lower tip is misaligned, and a lower sensor unit mounted adjacent to the lower block configured to detect rotation of the lower block.

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 three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a vacuum system and a hold-down plate to secure a metal foil to the hold-down plate during manufacture of a metal object. The melted metal drops ejected by the apparatus to form the object bond to the metal foil to form the base layer of the object. When the vacuum system is deactivated after manufacture of the object is complete, the object and foil are removed from the apparatus intact and the foil not part of the base layer is trimmed from the object.

A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a vacuum system and a hold-down plate to secure a metal foil to the hold-down plate during manufacture of a metal object. The melted metal drops ejected by the apparatus to form the object bond to the metal foil to form the base layer of the object. When the vacuum system is deactivated after manufacture of the object is complete, the object and foil are removed from the apparatus intact and the foil not part of the base layer is trimmed from the object.

Provided is a spatter scattering prevention apparatus that eliminates the necessity to, for example, remove scattered spatters and thus makes it possible to facilitate maintenance work, and also provided is a flash butt welder including the spatter scattering prevention apparatus. The spatter scattering prevention apparatus 1 according to the present invention is characterized by being configured to form a water screen in midair in the vicinity of a welding spot, at which welding is performed, wherein the water screen is for preventing spatters, generated during the welding, from scattering. The spatter scattering prevention apparatus is also characterized by being configured to form the water screen on one side in a lateral direction of the welding spot and form the water screen on the other side, laterally opposite to the one side, of the welding spot.

Provided is a spatter scattering prevention apparatus that eliminates the necessity to, for example, remove scattered spatters and thus makes it possible to facilitate maintenance work, and also provided is a flash butt welder including the spatter scattering prevention apparatus. The spatter scattering prevention apparatus 1 according to the present invention is characterized by being configured to form a water screen in midair in the vicinity of a welding spot, at which welding is performed, wherein the water screen is for preventing spatters, generated during the welding, from scattering. The spatter scattering prevention apparatus is also characterized by being configured to form the water screen on one side in a lateral direction of the welding spot and form the water screen on the other side, laterally opposite to the one side, of the welding spot.

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.

A component filling device and a component filling method are provided which, with a configuration that does not involve contact with the workpiece during a stud gun welding operation, can fill a component supply device with a prescribed number of components from a component feeding device. The component filling device (a stud filling device) is provided with: a component storage unit (a tube) which, inside of a component storage hole (the tube hole), can store a prescribed number of components (studs) aligned from a stopping unit towards the top; and a switching mechanism which comprises multiple moving bodies (balls), which can move between a position contacting a component and a position not contacting the component, and a lock unit (a rotation member), which restricts the moving bodies from moving, wherein the switching mechanism can switch between a state in which the stopping unit stops the components and a state in which the components are allowed to pass.

Provided are a stud supply device and a stud supply method with which a stud can be supplied to a welding electrode in the correct orientation. The stud supply device comprises: a magazine in which a predetermined number of studs can be aligned and stored in series inside a magazine hole from a stop part to one end side; switching mechanisms having a plurality of balls that can move between a position contacting the studs and a position not contacting the studs, and a reciprocating member that restricts the movement of the plurality of balls, the switching mechanisms switching between a state in which the studs are stopped at the stop part and a state in which the studs are allowed to pass; and a first air injection part that is provided more on the one end side than the stop part, and that injects air from the one end side to the stud stopped at the stop part.