Automated Shear Stud Welding System

摘要

Stud welding is highly repetitive and stressful on the worker; thus it is a primecandidate for automation. A robotic device, called the 'Studmaster', has been developed at MIT which automates stud welding during construction of industrial buildings and can easily be adapted for use on bridge decks. The machine is controlled by a microcomputer, and utilizes a loading and welding mechanism which is actuated by three pneumatic cylinders and one mechanical relay. This mechanism is mounted on a small tracked vehicle which is manually indexed to each weld site by a human operator. Expected payback time for an industrially hardened version is estimated to be on the order of 1-2 years. (MM).