Wet Grinding Apparatus for Tungsten Electrode Angle Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wet grinding apparatuses for tungsten welding electrodes face challenges in adjusting the grinding angle and managing work environment issues due to aggressive grinding dust, limiting the ability to maintain high-quality weld seams over time.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus features an angularly adjustable guide for the electrode holder, a disc-shaped cutting device connected to the drive motor, and a digital display for precise angle reading, along with a mechanism for optimizing metal particle collection and extending the service life of the grinding wheel through lateral displacement, enabling easy adjustment of the grinding angle and reducing dust-related problems via wet grinding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a rotating grinding wheel is used for grinding welding electrodes, then the electrodes can be ground to a point, but it is complicated to vary the grinding angle or the point of the electrodes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode point definitionVSAvoidgrinding angle variation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guide for the electrode holder is made angularly adjustable, allowing the grinding angle to be dynamically changed. The guide can be fixed at varying angular positions relative to the grinding wheel, enabling flexible adjustment of the electrode holder's orientation during the grinding process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If welding electrodes are ground using conventional apparatus, then the electrode point can be formed, but aggressive grinding dust is formed creating work environment problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode point formationVSAvoidgrinding dust

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A liquid coolant is introduced as an intermediary substance during the grinding process. The coolant serves to suppress and capture the aggressive grinding dust generated when tungsten electrodes are ground, thereby improving the work environment while maintaining the electrode point formation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple welding electrodes are carried for replacement, then high quality weld seams can be maintained, but portability and convenience are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweld seam qualityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The grinding apparatus is designed to be mobile and self-contained, enabling the welder to perform electrode grinding at the work site without needing to carry multiple replacement electrodes. The apparatus includes a mobile platform with the grinding wheel, guide, and coolant system integrated, allowing on-site electrode maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If the guide is made angularly adjustable, then grinding angle adjustment is simplified, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangle adjustmentVSAvoidguide adjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide is designed to rotate about a vertical axis, adding a rotational degree of freedom that enables angular adjustment. This dimensional change allows the guide to be positioned at various angles relative to the grinding wheel while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure through the use of a rotation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 simplifies the adjustment of grinding angles, improves the collection of metal particles, and extends the service life of the grinding wheel, enhancing the ability to maintain high-quality weld seams by allowing for precise control and efficient wet grinding, thereby addressing the limitations of existing dry grinding methods.

Implementation Method 1

the apparatus for wet grinding of welding electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

a disc-shaped cutting device which is adapted to shorten welding electrodes to a defined length

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCutting:

Data Source

PatentEP2861377B1Apparatus for wet grinding of welding electrodes, particularly tungsten electrodes

Publication Date: 2017.11.22 AP TIGNOLOGY APS

Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
Figure 8~10

AI summary

An apparatus (2, 22) for wet grinding of welding electrodes, in particular tungsten electrodes, including a drive motor for a rotating grinding wheel and means adapted to fix a welding electrode at a certain angle relative to the grinding wheel (4), wherein the fixing means include an angularly adjustable guide (6) for an electrode holder (8), the guide (8) arranged to be fixed at varying angular positions relative to a plane front side of the grinding wheel, the apparatus (2) including a disc-shaped cutting device (10) adapted to shorten welding electrodes to a defined length. By simple technical means it hereby becomes possible to simplify adjustment of the grinding angle while at the same time dealing with the work environment problems associated with e.g. grinding of tungsten electrodes in that the grinding of welding electrodes as such is performed by wet grinding.