RETAINING HEAD FOR CONTROLLING WIRE CONTOUR AND CONTACTING POINT FOR GMAW TORCHES

摘要

A retaining head (124) for a MIG welding device includes a contact tip mounting end (126), an opposite retaining head mounting end (128), and a throughbore (130) extending from one of the ends to the other end. A deflector (156) is disposed along the throughbore (130) and is adjustable for imparting a bend in welding wire (154) passing through the throughbore (130). The deflector (154) provides a straight wire contour for the welding wire (154) that is fed out of the welding torch, while maintaining sufficient contact force between the welding wire (154) and the contact tip (132). The deflector (156) also reduces the effect of wire twist on the contact point between the welding wire (154) and the contact tip (132).