Rotational Support Structures for Box Column Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assembling elongate, hollow-form, rectangular-cross-section box columns face challenges in maintaining configurational stability during welding, allowing for continuous welding without heat-induced warping and accommodating rotation for balanced weld formation.
Innovation Solution
A specialized apparatus with rotational support structures, including openable/closable dual-section yokes and collars, and double-wedge clamping shoes, supports pre-assembled plate components for rotation and allows continuous welding by automatically adjusting to accommodate welding instrumentation, ensuring stability and unobstructed access for welding heads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the pre-assembly is supported rigidly to maintain configurational stability during welding, then stability is improved, but the welding instrumentality cannot move continuously past the support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) that can independently move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the support to maintain stability for the pre-assembly while creating clearance for the welding instrumentality to pass through continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure incorporates movable sections that can dynamically adjust their position. The first section moves in a first direction, the second section moves in a second direction, enabling the structure to adapt its configuration to accommodate the passing welding instrumentality while maintaining support function.
2Ease of operation
If the support structure is made openable to accommodate welding instrumentality movement, then ease of operation is improved, but configurational stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure uses controlled dynamic movement of its sections rather than complete opening. The first section moves in a first direction and the second section moves in a second direction, providing just enough clearance for welding while maintaining overall structural integrity and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the support into separable sections that can move independently, the structure provides welding access without compromising the stability of the pre-assembly. Each section can be positioned to accommodate welding operations while the remaining sections maintain support.
3Manufacturing precision
If rotation is allowed during welding to balance heat-induced warping, then manufacturing precision is improved, but stability during rotation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure enables controlled rotation through dynamic movement of its sections. The first section moves in a first direction and the second section moves in a second direction, allowing the pre-assembly to rotate during welding to distribute heat evenly while maintaining stability through the coordinated movement of support sections.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for assisting in weld assembling a box column from a tack-welded pre-assembly of planar plate components. The apparatus features (1) an elongate frame defining a rotational-assembly axis, and (2) plural pre-assembly-receiving, rotational support structures mounted at spaced locations on the frame—each support structure including (a) an openable/closable yoke possessing a collar-reception zone, (b) an openable/closable collar rotatably receivable within this reception zone, and possessing a central throughpassage having a cross-sectional configuration which is larger than that of a box-column which is to be assembled, and (c) a pair of removably-collar-attachable, throughpassage clamping shoes for forming cooperatively, within the collar throughpassage, a window for complementarily, receiving extension therethrough of a box-column pre-assembly's cross section. A so received pre-assembly is rotatable about the rotational-assembly axis to position the existing seams of adjacency between the pre-assembly plate components for full-strength welding by an automated, traveling welding instrumentality.