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Perfect Welds start with the Controller

Intelligent Microcomputer Spot Welding Machine Controllers - Full Digital intelligent controllers for Pressure welding Machines

Resistance Spot Welding (RSW) Welding Controllers - Power Supplies

There are closed loop welding machines and open loop welding machines.

Closed loop welders use sensors to measure the current and voltage during the weld so the controller can automatically adjust during the weld the current and voltage to reach the optimal set values and to give the perfect result.

Open loop welders have NO sensors for adjusting the current and the voltage during the weld - you just get what you get wwithout taking in consideration any changement in material or parameters.

The Benefits of Closed-loop Control for the Resistance Welding Process

Closed Loop Resistance Welding

Closed-loop power supplies offer many benefits to the resistance welding process. The ability to accurately control weld energy is a key factor in overcoming the problems associated with the rapid changes in resistance during the weld. Small parts, which require shorter welding times, benefit from constant heating and feedback mode options. Weld monitoring features and process tools facilitate the implementation of successful process control programs, which are designed to meet demanding production and quality requirements. For resistance welding, closed-loop is clearly the technology of choice today and in the future.

 

Closed-loop resistance welding power supplies use current and voltage feedback sensors to control the energy delivered to the parts. 

Closed-loop technologies provide many benefits for the resistance welding process including: 

Controlled Heating Rates

Feedback Mode Options

Repeatable Weld Heat

Weld Monitoring Capabilities

Process Tools

Continuous Heating

 

AC, DC, CD or HF: Which Spot Welding Power Supply Should I Use?

OPEN LOOP TECHNOLOGIES

Capacitor Discharge (CD) and Direct Energy (AC)

Capacitor Discharge (CD) power supplies store energy in a capacitor bank prior to the weld.  The energy is discharged through a pulse transformer to the weld head.  The resulting high peak current and very fast rise time is useful for welding very conductive parts.  The level of charge on the capacitor bank is usually programmed in watt-seconds or % energy.  Time control is achieved by changing the transformer tap settings, which changes the pulse duration, or pulse width.  Unfortunately, since a capacitor discharge power supply is open loop (no feedback), changes in the secondary circuit, such as loose cables or corroded connections can result in inconsistent energy delivery to the parts.

Direct Energy (AC) power supplies take energy directly from the power line as the weld is being made.  Coarse current control is achieved by changing the tap settings on the welding transformer, which changes the voltage of the output.  Fine adjustment of weld current is achieved by controlling the amount, in percent, of the AC power that is applied to the primary of the welding transformer.  The weld time is controlled in line cycles (1 cycle = 20.0 milliseconds @ 50 Hz), the minimum usually being one half cycle.  Line voltage fluctuations can affect the weld current delivered by open loop AC power supplies.  For this reason, the input line must be well regulated.  AC power supplies are general purpose welders with high energy output (not suitable for critical, fine welding applications).  The longer welding times are useful for resistance brazing applications.

CLOSED LOOP TECHNOLOGIES

Linear DC and HF Inverter

In Linear DC or Medium frequency inverter MF power supplies, a capacitor bank is charged up and the welding energy is released through a bank of transistors.  Linear DC power supplies deliver an ultra stable output with a very fast rise time.  Most DC power supplies can be programmed in constant current, constant voltage, or constant power.  Time control can be programmed in increments as small as 0.01 milliseconds. (MF)  Because DC power supplies offer the best low energy control, it is the best choice for welding fine wires and thin foils.

High frequency inverter HF technology utilizes pulse width modulation circuitry to control the weld energy.  3-phase input current is full wave rectified to DC, which is then switched to produce an AC current at the primary of the welding transformer.  The resulting secondary current, when rectified, is in the form of DC with an imposed, low-level AC ripple.  Like Linear DC welders, High Frequency Inverters can be programmed for constant current, voltage, or power operation.  Time control can be programmed in 1 millisecond or 0.01 millisecond increments.  High Frequency Inverters have very high repetition rates, so they are frequently used for automated applications.

Welding Current Flow at CD, AC ,DC en MFDC

Resistance welding with direct current (DC) using inverter technology (MFDC) reduces costs by improving quality, reducing maintenance, and increasing productivity.

Switching from traditional alternative current (AC) to DC with inverters also reduces a range of facilities costs and improves the process. Finally, it provides the ability to weld new materials, so it can add to a company's capability or product scope.

MFDC welding controllers are the most Ecological solution for pressure welding.

Beside a huge saving of energy the MFDC Welding controllers reduce drastically the sparking and the fume creation.

In the modern manufacturing, welding plays the essential role in many applications, such as in construction, automobile, turbine production, and so on.  However, welding processes require large amounts of energy and resources and also discharge fumes causing adverse effects on human health and environment due to dust, process wastes and greenhouse gases emitted.

Welding technology developments and comparisons have been mainly focused on economic indicators; environmental and social aspects have been scarcely taken into account in the evaluation and choice of a process for a given welding task. 

As far as the welding of metals is concerned, Medium Frequency DC welding Controllers are receiving more and more interest owing to the energy efficiency, environmental friendliness and versatility that make this process a promisingly ecologic and ‘green’ technology. It is thought that MFDC Controllers/Power sources consumes remarkably less energy as compared with older pressure welding technologies due to the lower temperatures involved and the solid-state nature of the process.

The generation of welding fumes is minimized using the lowest acceptable amperage fully digital controlled and within µsec adapted to the real situation, which is a big jump forward int he search for a healthy enviroment. 

With MFDC Controllers, your welding process becomes much more sustaiable!

CD Series

Digital Capacity Discharging (CD) welding controller

GO TO CD

AC Series

Digital Alternate Current (AC) welding Controller

GO TO AC

MFDC Series

Digital Medium Frequency MFDC welding Controller

GO TO MFDC

Compared with the normal AC controller, MFDC controller has the following advantages:

  1. The current in secondary welding loop is DC. Dramatically reduce the impact to the welding current due to the inductive reactance in secondary loop when conducting welding to the work piece.
  2. The weight of transformer is reduced greatly. It is light and convenient. The weight and size of the MF transformer is only 1/3 of the AC type transformer. Suitable for robot welding system.
  3. Prolong the service life of electrode
  4. Be able to weld material like aluminum, galvanized steel, etc. with good welding performance.
  5. Especially suitable for three-layer plate welding, ultrathin material welding and precision welding.
  6. Less splashes.
  7. Increase control of current and welding quality.

 

Four important factors

pressure, welding effect, welding time and cooling time

Four important factors that affect the final weld result are pressurewelding effectwelding time and cooling time.

These parameters can be digitaly adjusted and combined in different ways by our controllers to achieve the optimal welding result for a specific material.

Resistance Spot Welding Tips

1.Resistance welding With CD en AC is not recommended for aluminum, copper, or copper alloys. Use CD en AC for steel and stainless steel only. MFDC is suitable
2.For more heat (amperage output), use shorter tongs.
3.For units without a heat control, tong length can be used for a control. For instance, for thin metals where you want less heat, longer tongs can be used.
4.Keep in mind that longer tongs can bend, and you may lose pressure at the weld.
5.For the metals being welded, make sure there is no gap between the pieces - this will weaken the weld.
6.Keep the alignment of the tongs straight, so that the tips touch each other exactly. Also, maintain a proper pressure adjustment - not too much or too little pressure.
7.When you need one side of the weld to have good appearance, you can flatten (machine) the tip somewhat on that side.
8.Clean the tips on a regular basis, or you will lose output (amperage). Dress the tips with a proper tip dresser.