Anhalt University developed innovative clamp concept
Why is clamp adjustment so important in electric resistance welding?
The quality of such welding is very dependent on the clamp adjustment. When joining high-strength steels, the precise adherence of the specified power to each electrode is very important. You can imagine it as such: the automated machine, which moves the clamps in the area, conducts movements to a programmed place in which the sheet metal parts are welded. These sheet metal parts are subject to production tolerances, they are not located exactly where the automated machine leads the clamps. That is a known error, which is tolerated. When the clamp closes, this error must be compensated for; if not this will result in contact errors in the electrodes. This means that one electrode must expend more power than the other. This then leads to quality losses in the welding.
What industries can these special clamps be used?
I think that the usage potential is predominantly in the automotive industry in the placing of high-strength steels because it is there that the automated machine aided electric resistance welding is part of the production process. However they can also be used in other industries which use sheet metal. This includes the production of rail vehicles, switchgear cabinets and plant construction.
What is it about your XC concept that is better than existing clamp concepts?
Our XC clamp combines the advantages of the other two clamps: it has the advantageous symmetrical rigidity of an X clamp and at the same time the translational adjustment of a C clamp. The tool centre point of the tool is float-mounted in this respect.
Why are you currently conducting research in this area?
In my Master's dissertation I addressed the topic of electric resistance welding and the mechanical side of the process in depth. The new clamp design is an implementation of the knowledge that I gained as part of this work.
How does your further development find its way in the industry?
We always work very much in step with actual practice and we also receive a great deal of feedback from the industry. We test and develop the prototypes with partners. In doing so we generate situations which occur in practice. As a result we are able to deduce where something needs to be further improved.
What projects are you currently researching?
I am working as a scientific employee in the field of joining process development. We are currently focussing on the processes of friction welding and clinching. I do simulations by nature: I simulate structural mechanical problems, compile strength analyses, and work with dynamic problems or with multi-physics problems, in which several physical theories coincide.
Author: Manuela Bock
Photo: J.Kaars
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Kurt Koppe / Jonny Kaars M.Eng. IWE
Hochschule Anhalt
Fachbereich Elektrotechnik, Maschinenbau und Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen
Postfach 1458
06354 Köthen
ph: +49 3496 67-2438
E-Mail: J.Kaars.ignore@emw.hs-anhalt.de
Web: www.emw.hs-anhalt.de