Clamp system for welding applications

摘要

A welding clamp system using a fixture plate with a bulkhead that allows the clamp system to be coupled to a robotic arm. The robotic arm supplies air and electricity through pneumatic and electrical ports, enabling operation of the clamp system. The air is routed to pneumatic cylinders, which power a pneumatic clamp mechanism that moves sliding clamp fixtures along tracks. The sliding clamp fixtures press a work piece against immobile clamp fixtures, allowing a work piece to be secured and held during welding. Presence of a work piece is detected by proximity sensors which are mounted into the fixture. The clamp system allows a robotic arm to grab a work piece from a supply area, initiate and complete welding of the work piece, and then release the work piece onto a discharge station for removal of the completed work piece.

主权项

1. A clamp system for welding applications comprises:
a fixture plate; a coupling device; a first clamp system; a second clamp system; the fixture plate comprises a first surface and a second surface; the coupling device comprises a pneumatic port and an electrical port; the first clamp system and the second clamp system each comprise a rigid clamp fixture, a sliding clamp fixture, a track, a pneumatic cylinder, a pneumatic slide mechanism, and a proximity sensor; the coupling device being adjacently connected to the first surface; the track being mounted to the second surface; the pneumatic slide mechanism being connected along the track; the rigid clamp fixture being mounted to the track; the rigid clamp fixture being positioned at a terminal end of the track; the sliding clamp fixture being slidably engaged with the track; the rigid clamp fixture and the sliding clamp fixture each comprise a base portion, a finger portion, and at least one copper pad; the base portion being positioned adjacent to the second surface; the finger portion being positioned adjacent to the base portion opposite the second surface; a plurality of ventilation holes traversing through the base portion and the finger portion; and the at least one copper pad being adjacently connected to the finger portion, wherein the copper pad insulates against heat.