US 12,285,816 B2
Integrated electrode maintenance for robotic welding cell
David M. Simone, Amherstburg (CA); Daniel P. Vanderzwet, Omemee (CA); and Philip W. Brown, Leamington (CA)
Assigned to DOBEN LIMITED, Windsor (CA)
Filed by Doben Limited, Windsor (CA)
Filed on Apr. 3, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/625,573.
Application 18/625,573 is a division of application No. 16/973,681, abandoned, previously published as PCT/CA2018/050702, filed on Jun. 12, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2024/0246168 A1, Jul. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. B23K 11/30 (2006.01); B23K 11/25 (2006.01); B23K 11/31 (2006.01); B23Q 3/155 (2006.01); B23K 11/11 (2006.01)
CPC B23K 11/3063 (2013.01) [B23K 11/253 (2013.01); B23K 11/3072 (2013.01); B23K 11/314 (2013.01); B23Q 3/15536 (2016.11); B23Q 3/1556 (2013.01); B23K 11/115 (2013.01); B23Q 2003/155411 (2016.11)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of operating a welding station comprising the steps of:
providing a welding station having a robot arranged within a perimeter fence defining a production area;
arranging a pedestal supporting a base to which at least at least one maintenance tool is mounted and to which a welding gun is pivotally supported;
pivoting the welding gun relative to the base from a welding position located inside the production area on one side of the fence to a maintenance position located outside the production area on another side of the fence opposite the one side and away from the robot; and
performing a maintenance operation on the welding gun with the at least one maintenance tool, the maintenance operation performing steps including at least one of the following:
dressing a welding cap on the welding gun in the maintenance position;
extracting a worn welding cap from the welding gun in the maintenance position; and
installing a new welding cap on the welding gun in the maintenance position.