Resistance welding control method

• US 6,903,298 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2003
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Wang, Pei-Chung, Schmidt, Kenneth R., Thornton, Robert T., Marin, Samuel Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaw, Clifford C.
• Application Number:
  US10/647,706
• Publication Number:
  US 20050045597A1
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 219/86.23, 219/86.41, 219/86.51, 219/109, 219/110
• US Class Current: 219/110
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/11 Spot welding
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/253 the measured parameter being a displacement or a position
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/255 the measured parameter being a force B23K11/253 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/311 the actuating device comprising an electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 31/125 Weld quality monitoring

Abstract

This invention provides a method of producing a series of substantially uniform spot welds between two metal parts using a servomotor driven movable electrode and an axially opposing fixed electrode. Target values for electrode displacement in producing a weld indentation and electrode squeeze force are determined for the electrodes and workpieces. During welding operations electrode displacement and electrode force measurements are continually taken and compared with the displacement and force target values. While the measured values are within a tolerance range of the target values, welding is continued using the preset parameters. When either or both of the measured electrode displacement or force value falls outside the target range the total welding current is adjusted in small increments to correct the displacement and/or force values and, thereafter, welding is continued using the new total welding current.

Claims

1. A method of producing a series of electrical resistance spot welds in one or more workpieces, each workpiece being positioned for each weld between a servomotor driven movable electrode and an axially opposing fixed electrode, the method comprising:

setting target values for electrode displacement and electrode force, and an initial total welding current and its duration;

making a pre-determined number of spot welds using a weld controller to apply the welding current between the electrodes and to control the servomotor in applying the electrode force and advancing the movable electrode to make a spot weld indentation in the workpiece with an electrode displacement;

measuring the electrode force and electrode displacement after a spot weld;

comparing the measured electrode force and electrode displacement values with the corresponding target values; and

, if either of the force or displacement values are not within a tolerance range of the target values

altering said welding current during one or more succeeding spot welds to bring the electrode displacement and/or force values for the succeeding spot welds within said tolerance ranges.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 comprising increasing the welding current if said electrode displacement is less than the electrode displacement target value or the electrode force is greater than the electrode force target value.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 comprising

altering said welding current during one or more succeeding spot welds to bring the electrode displacement and/or force values for the succeeding spot welds within said tolerance ranges, and thereafter

using the altered total welding current for subsequent spot welds.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 comprising reducing the welding current if said electrode displacement is greater than the electrode displacement target value or the electrode force is less than the electrode force target value.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 comprising

altering said welding current during one or more succeeding spot welds to bring the electrode displacement and/or force values for the succeeding spot welds within said tolerance ranges, and thereafter

using the altered total welding current for subsequent spot welds.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 comprising comparing the measured electrode force and displacement values with the corresponding target values;

and, if both of the force and displacement values are within a tolerance range of the target values

continuing to weld said workpieces using said initial weld current and said electrode displacement and electrode force target values, and thereafter

continuing to measure said electrode displacement values and electrode force values for comparison with the target values.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 comprising

altering said welding current during one or more succeeding spot welds to bring the electrode displacement and/or force values for the succeeding spot welds within said tolerance ranges, and thereafter

using the altered total welding current for subsequent spot welds.