Patent · US Active

Method to monitor the life of the contact tip in robotic or automatic GMAW

US8354614B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
7References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 14, 2010
Grant dateJan 15, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 22, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB23K9/295
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of monitoring contact tip useful life in a welding torch includes measuring at least one of welding current (I) and welding voltage (V) of the contact tip mounted in the welding torch. Deterioration of the contact tip is quantified based on one or both of (i) a decrease of the welding current and increase of a standard deviation of the welding current (sd_I), and (ii) an increase of the welding voltage. Deterioration of the contact tip may be quantified by calculating an index of contact tip life (ITL) based on the welding current and standard deviation of the welding current and/or by calculating a reference index of contact tip life (ITL_v) based on the welding voltage.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.