TPT May 2010

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Welding Technology
May 2010 101 ›
A NEW robotic TIG welding process has
been developed by Oerlikon Schweißtechnik
combining the quality of TIG welding with
the productivity of MIG welding. The key
part of the technology is an original torch
design: the wire feeding is orientated in
an angle close to the tungsten electrode
and running through the gas nozzle. This
configuration provides the advantage of
reduced overall dimensions and enhanced
accessibility of the torch for robotic welding
of complex geometries.
Several technical features are associated
to the new torch design, such as an
automatic electrode changing system and
a push pull wire feeder.
The filler metal is fed through the nozzle
directly into the arc with an angle of 20° to the
electrode, precisely where the temperatures
are the highest. This concept guarantees a
high deposition rate and an efficient metal
transfer. Parameter adjustment permits the
choice of a liquid bridge transfer or a droplet
transfer mode. In addition, the wire speed
Robotic TIG welding with
integrated wire feeder
can be pulsed and synchronised
with the current, giving a waved weld
bead appearance. Whatever the
parameters selected, thanks to the
precise energy control, the TOPTIG
process ensures a TIG-quality
result with a complete absence of
spatter and avoids distortion on thin
sheets.
Besides the good welding
performance, the compact
TOPTIG torch simplifies parameter
adjustment and robot trajectory
programming. The torch permits
multidirectional travelling, which is
faster, easier to program and makes
the sixth robot axis available for other
purposes. Electrode changing is simple and
quick, and can be performed manually or
automatically, improving the productivity of
the installation.
TOPTIG is a flexible process that can
be installed on a robot or on an automatic
machine. It can be used effectively on
carbon or stainless steel plates up to 3mm
as well as on titanium or nickel alloys or on
galvanised sheets with weld brazing.
Oerlikon Schweißtechnik GmbH – Germany
Fax: +49 63 514 76335
Email:
Website:
The TOPTIG torch is practically
as compact as a MIG torch