METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WELDING USING CONSUMABLE ELECTRODE

Abstract

Welding is carried out using a consumable electrode while applying to a welding wire a vibration at a frequency of 500 Hz or more and an amplitude of 0.01 to 0.5 mm. The vibration is preferably applied in a direction crossing the feeding direction of the welding wire. A vibration under these conditions is preferably applied to a tip of the welding wire by using the forced vibration or resonance of the welding torch or the resonance of the welding wire itself.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an outside drawing of a welding torch for use in a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a vibration exciter of the welding torch in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C show a welding apparatus and modifications thereof according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an outside drawing of a welding torch for use in a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a vibration exciter of the welding torch in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views of a welding apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are views of a modification of a welding apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D show the mechanism of occurrence of spatters; and

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D are diagrams shown in FIG. 11 of JP-A No. 2003-10970.

Claims

1. A method of welding using a consumable electrode, the method comprising the step of: carrying out welding while applying to a welding wire a vibration at a frequency of 500 Hz or more and an amplitude of 0.01 to 0.5 mm.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the vibration is applied in a direction crossing the feeding direction of the welding wire.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the vibration is applied to a tip of the welding wire using at least one selected from the group consisting of forced vibration of a welding torch, resonance of the welding torch, and resonance of the welding wire.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein CO2 gas shield arc welding is carried out as the welding.

5. An apparatus for welding using a consumable electrode, comprising: a handle;a torch, the torch configured to feed a welding wire therethrough; anda vibration exciter arranged between the handle and the torch, the vibration exciter configured to apply to the torch a vibration in a direction crossing the feeding direction of the welding wire to thereby apply a vibration to the welding wire fed through the torch,wherein the vibration to be applied to the welding wire fed through the torch has a frequency of 500 Hz or more and an amplitude of 0.01 to 0.5 mm.

6. An apparatus for welding using a consumable electrode, comprising: a torch, the torch configured to feed a welding wire therethrough; anda vibrator having a vibration connector and being connected to the torch via the vibration connector, the vibrator configured to apply to the torch a vibration in a direction crossing the feeding direction of the welding wire to thereby apply a vibration to the welding wire fed through the torch,wherein the vibration to be applied to the welding wire fed through the torch has a frequency of 500 Hz or more and an amplitude of 0.01 to 0.5 mm.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the vibration exciter is configured to apply a vibration to the torch electromagnetically.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the vibration exciter is configured to apply a vibration to the torch using a multilayer piezoelectric element.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the torch includes a damper section, and the vibration connector of the vibrator is connected to the torch at a position between the damper section and the head of the torch, andwherein the apparatus further includes a resonance mechanism, the resonance mechanism including:a support fixed to the torch at a position between the damper section and the tail of the torch; anda spring supported by the support and pressed toward the torch at a position between the damper section and the head of the torch.