Electric heating – Metal heating – By arc
Patent
1996-03-13
1998-11-17
Shaw, Clifford C.
Electric heating
Metal heating
By arc
901 42, B23K 900
Patent
active
058379673
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Background of the Invention
The invention pertains to a torch holder for mechanized or automated arc welding or cutting torches, e.g. machine and/or robot torches.
During mechanized welding with a so-called Machine Torch, the torch is not operated by a welder, but is fixed in a device where the relative movement between torch and work piece occurs mechanically. To achieve this, either the work piece is static and the torch moves or, conversely, the torch can be fixed, while the work piece moves.
Already some torches have been known to be affixed to a robot arm. A special holder serves to fasten the torch on the machine, that is to say on the sliding block of the cutting device, or on the robot arm, to which the torch either is clamped or strapped. The disadvantage in such an attachment is on the one hand, that the attachment has to be done by hand, which results in an imprecise torch alignment, or at least in one that is difficult to achieve. On the other hand, after replacing disposable parts, to reestablish the exact former position with the familiar fastening devices is only possible with significant time expenditure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Consequently, it is the object of this invention to create a holder of the previously mentioned variety in such a way as to achieve a simple and safe insertion of the torch at a set position, that can be reproduced.
The invention solves this task by deciding that the torch should be held by at least two clamping jaws, which encircle the torch at least partially and at least one of which can be moved between an open and closed position.
According to the invention, the torch holder achieves a defined attachment of the torch on the appropriate apparatus. An exchange of a torch or of worn parts is possible without long change-over time, especially with the mechanical opening and closing of the clamping jaws, so that the downtime of the welding or cutting devices is significantly reduced. The torch can be fastened in such a way, that all clamping jaws are moveable in the closed position or e.g. one clamping jaw is fixed permanently while the other(s) move(s) in the closed position.
A special, initial model of the invention intends for the two clamping jaws to be movable between the open and closed position, synchronized to one another sidewise along a guide on the holder, which again improves the performance during the assembly and disassembly of the torch and the setup precision. Furthermore, the mobility of the clamping jaws, in a parallel gripping manner, permits the attachment of torches with different measurements.
An exceptionally firm hold of the torch to the welding or cutting device is attained, when, according to the invention, the clamping jaws are shaped in a sort of gripper arms.
For instance, a subsequent development of the invention concept arranges to activate the clamping jaws with a pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly, where the piston rod acts upon, preferably, two movable sliding parts, perpendicular to the direction of the clamping jaw motion, which are within the holder guide and have link guidance, which is gripped by the pertinent link part attached to the corresponding clamping jaw. Such a parallel gripper with link guidance distinguishes itself by its simple construction and robustness in rough welding operations. Of course it is also conceivable to use only one instead of two sliding parts, which contains the two link guidances. But the use of two sliding parts achieves higher alignment precision.
According to the invention, the link guidance can consist of elongated slots running in an angle of 45.degree. to the direction of movement of the sliding part(s), into which the corresponding link piece, preferably with roller bearings, intermeshes. The friction resistance during opening and closing of the clamping jaws is significantly reduced by this mechanism.
According to the invention, the piston-cylinder assembly can be constructed as a double action cylinder, where the fluid admission for closing the clamping jaws
REFERENCES:
patent: 4986002 (1991-01-01), Oros et al.
Alexander Binzel GmbH & Co. KG
Shaw Clifford C.
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