Rotatable Swing Arm Welding Fixture for Dual-Side Butt Splice Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing welding processes struggle to stabilize and align plates effectively for consistent welds, particularly when accessing both sides of a butt splice joint.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable system with adjustable clamping and support members allows for precise alignment and flipping of plates by 180 degrees, enabling access to both sides of the weld joint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If plates are stabilized for welding, then weld consistency is improved, but access to both sides of the joint becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are designed to be rotatable about a vertical axis, allowing the assembly to dynamically change orientation. This enables welders to access both sides of the joint by rotating the plates 180 degrees, while maintaining stabilization throughout the welding process. The dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction between stability and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the welding task into two separate welding operations, one on each side of the joint. By stabilizing the plates for each individual welding operation and then rotating to access the other side, the system achieves consistent welds on both sides without requiring simultaneous access to both sides during a single welding operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If plates are aligned and secured for welding, then weld quality is improved, but flexibility to flip and inspect opposite face is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support members maintain precise alignment through the rotation process, allowing the assembly to be flipped 180 degrees for inspection of the opposite face. The alignment is preserved during and after rotation, enabling both high precision welding and flexible inspection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members serve multiple functions: they align plates for welding, secure plates during welding, and enable rotation for inspection and second-side welding. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between maintaining alignment precision and providing operational flexibility.
3Reliability
If a stable welding system is used, then weld consistency is improved, but ability to rotate for dual-side welding is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates rotatable support members that maintain stabilization throughout the rotation process. This allows the assembly to be rotated 180 degrees for dual-side welding while preserving weld consistency, as the support members continue to hold the plates securely during and after rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The welding process is segmented into two separate operations on opposite sides of the joint. The system provides stable support for each welding operation independently, allowing consistent welds to be achieved on both sides through sequential welding after rotation, rather than requiring simultaneous dual-side access.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system and method for the temporary mounting and stabilization of objects to be welded. The system includes a plurality of assembly stations configured to align adjacent objects for welding and allow for the secure and stable rotation of objects to further secure the weld on both sides of the joint.