Apparatus for positioning and securing components of a workpiece

Abstract

A workpiece positioning and securing apparatus includes a fixed frame for slidably supporting a welding machine into and out of a preselected position relative to a pair of workpiece components to be welded together. A first workpiece component is fixed by a clamping device on the frame. A second workpiece component is supported by a positioning member that is movable with the welding machine into a predetermined position relative to the first workpiece component. A pair of piston cylinders actuate the clamping device to fixedly engage the first workpiece component. A second pair of piston cylinders on the frame are operable to simultaneously move the welding machine and the second workpiece component into a preselected position relative to the first workpiece component. After the desired spacial relationship between the first and second workpiece components is attained, a pivotal welding tong is moved to a position oppositing a fixed welding tong with the first and second workpiece components secured in abutting relation between the welding tongs. The welding machine is actuated to spot weld the first and second workpiece components together. The spot weld is located at a preselected distance from the point where the second workpiece component is supported by the positioning member.