The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 21, 2007
Filed:
Sep. 03, 2003
Walter Stieglbauer, Manning, AT;
Manfred Wimmer, Wels, AT;
Wolfgang Zauner, Wels, AT;
Fronius International GmbH, Pettenbach, AT;
Abstract
A method for monitoring the quality of spot welding, in particular for robotic applications. Workpieces, such as metal sheets are welded together using spot welding tools. The sheets are placed between at least two electrodes, which are pressed against one another and supplied with energy. The spot weld is evaluated using an evaluation element, in particular an optical visualization. A tape is placed between the electrodes or electrode caps and the sheets. The tape is transported onwards after the welding process. The tape is configured in such a way that a mirror-image, in particular a proportional reproduction or impression of the spot weld that has been produced on the workpiece is created by the welding process on the tape. The reproduction or impression is detected and evaluated by the evaluation element and the size, shape and position of the spot weld are deduced.