Application of electrode force change in single sided resistance spot welding using servo gun

Abstract

Single sided resistance spot welding (SSRSW) is considered as a feasible method to join hydroformed or closed section parts to others in vehicle productions. Unfortunately, it is difficult to guarantee the weld quality utilising conventional air gun. Because of a lack of support inside the closed section parts, the impact of electrode driven by pneumatic gun will cause large deformation of the workpieces at the welding stage and will lead to a crack around weld region after welding completion. In addition, poor weldability is another pressing problem for welding operations. Servo gun with new gun driven method has some merits such as realising the soft touch between electrode and workpieces and changing electrode force during the welding process which are greatly suitable to the sheet to tube joining. Based on the characteristics of servo gun, the present paper investigates a new method to increase the weld quality of sheet to tube joining with SSRSW method. By adjusting the electrode force during the welding process, weld strength would be increased, weld deformation be decreased and weldability lobe curve be widened. The results verify that servo guns can provide high assurance for welding quality of sheet to tube joining and have broad prospect in SSRSW.