Rotatable Welding Apparatus with Articulating Boom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) processes are labor-intensive and hazardous due to the need for frequent movement of workpieces and welding equipment, as well as the cumbersome setup and reconfiguration of specialty equipment like compressed air, electrical power, and fume extraction systems.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable welding apparatus with a double articulating boom and a rotating base, featuring a floor-mounted bearing, a rotation brake, and a swivel joint, allowing for 360-degree rotation and unhindered movement of welding equipment and supplies, thereby reducing the need for extensive repositioning and minimizing hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If stationary welding equipment is used, then equipment stability is improved, but workpiece movement requirements increase labor intensity and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The welding equipment is mounted on a rotatable base with a floor-mounted bearing, allowing the entire welding apparatus to rotate 360 degrees. This dynamic capability enables the workpiece to remain stationary while the welding equipment moves to different positions, eliminating the need for labor-intensive workpiece handling and improving welding efficiency while maintaining equipment stability during operation.
2Ease of operation
If portable welding equipment is used, then workpiece accessibility is improved, but equipment movement and conduit management increase labor intensity and hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the welding equipment, compressed air conduits, electrical power lines, welding wire spools, and fume extraction equipment into a single integrated rotatable assembly. This unified structure allows all components to move together on the rotatable base, eliminating the need to manage separate conduits and cables during positioning, thereby improving accessibility while reducing labor intensity and safety hazards.
3Adaptability or versatility
If welding equipment is repositioned frequently, then work area coverage is improved, but equipment movement increases time consumption and hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable base with floor-mounted bearing enables the welding equipment to rotate 360 degrees smoothly and quickly to different positions within the work area. This dynamic repositioning capability allows comprehensive work area coverage while minimizing repositioning time compared to moving entire portable equipment assemblies, and reduces safety hazards associated with frequent equipment movement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances productivity by enabling unobstructed access to all areas for welding, reducing labor and hazards, and ensuring continuous operation without 'dead zones' due to improved reach and mobility of the welding setup.
Implementation Method 1
a floor mounted bearing, which allows for rotating the entire boom and all welding related apparatus
Implementation Method 2
a rotation brake for alternatively (i) allowing rotation of the base and (ii) halting the rotation of the base
Data Source
AI summary
A rotatable gas metal arc welding apparatus comprising: a) a rotatable base; b) a rotation brake; c) a primary welding boom arm; d) at least one secondary welding boom arm rotatably attached to the primary welding boom arm, the at least one secondary welding boom arm being rotatable about a swivel joint so as to be rotatable in a generally horizontal plane; e) a MIG welder station; f) at least one manually operated welding gun connector, each welding gun connector being suspended from a secondary welding boom arm; g) a process controller for controlling a welding gun and the rotation brake; h) a rotatable electrical input connection for connecting electrical power from an external electrical power source to the base; i) an electrical ground connection; and j) a welding wire supply station.