Method and apparatus for welding automotive brake shoes

摘要

A method and apparatus for welding an edge surface of a curved metal brake shoe web to a metal brake shoe table surface. The metal brake shoe table surface has a greater radius of curvature than the brake shoe web edge. The brake shoe table is positioned in longitudinal alignment with the brake shoe web with one end portion of the table surface abutting the brake shoe web surface over a predetermined distance and with the table surface diverging away from the brake shoe web edge surface forming a vertex where the surfaces abut. The abutting surfaces are pressed together at the vertex thereby moving the diverging surface of the brake shoe table into contact with a first conductor which is spaced from the vertex. A positive electrical connection is provided between the brake shoe web and the second conductor. The second conductor is mechanically interlocked with the first conductor so that the pressure on the first conductor by the pressing action causes the positive electrical connection between the second conductor and the web. A high frequency alternating potential is then provided to the electrodes contacting the table and the web to induce current to flow therebetween and thereby heat the interfacing surfaces in the area of the vertex. The brake shoe table and the brake shoe web are rotated together along a curvelinear path while pressure and the high frequency heating is maintained. This results in the welding together of the interfacing surfaces.