JP2000288783A - Welding machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a welding machine capable of sending the information on an operating method, etc., to a worker through a voice at any time. SOLUTION: A welding machine is provided with a welding part 84, a control panel, a control means 44 and a speaker 46. The control means 44 includes an input part 66, a CPU 66, a CPU 68, a memory 70, an amplifier 72 and an output part 74. Each of switches 48, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 of the control panel is turned ON, these signals are caused to flow to the CPU 68 through the input part 66. The CPU 68 detects by these signals that each of switches 48, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 is turned ON, the CPU 68 selects a prescribed one among voice signals stored in the memory 70 before-hand, the voice signal is amplified by the amplifier 72 and is caused to flow to a speaker 46 through the output part 74, the voice is outputted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a welding machine, and more particularly to a welding machine in which, for example, welding conditions are set by operating an operation unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Since a mold for resin molding represented by injection molding is used repeatedly, it is partially affected by the frictional force of a sliding portion such as an eject pin, resin pressure, mold clamping pressure and the like. May wear out. In addition, when the molded product is released from the mold or when the operator handles the chip, the inner surface of the cavity may be chipped. If wear or chipping occurs, a molded product having a shape and dimensions according to design values cannot be obtained. The deviation of the shape or the like of the molded product from the design value is a serious problem, especially for precision products such as electronic components and high-end products where finish is regarded as important.

In order to restore the mold to its original shape, the mold is sometimes repaired. Specifically, a buildup is applied to a worn portion or a chipped portion. Usually, resistance welding is used for overlaying. In this resistance welding, first, a metal powder or a metal powder-containing paste is placed on a repair location of a mold serving as a base material. Next, an electrode is inserted into the metal powder or the paste containing the metal powder. Then, a current flows between the electrode and the base material. Then, resistance heat is generated, and the metal powder is melted and joined to the base material by the resistance heat, thereby completing the build-up.

[0004] Such welding work is not performed on a daily basis as in ordinary welding, but is performed only when a problem such as wear, chipping or the like occurs. For this reason, welding operators often do not know how to handle a welding machine.
When an inexperienced welding worker handles a welding machine, it is necessary to refer to the manual, but it takes time and effort to find the relevant part from the manual. In addition, workers often wear welding gloves and their hands are dirty with oil etc.
It is often impossible to refer to the manual in practice.
Further, the site of the mold maintenance work may be in an inappropriate environment for storing documents such as manuals. In this case, the worker may be away from the site (for example, in an office).
I have to go to get a manual. In particular, if the operator does not understand the operation method after the welding operation has started, it is extremely troublesome for the operator to temporarily stop the welding operation and go to a distant place to get a manual, and in some cases, The welding itself may fail.

[0005] Japanese Patent No. 2779428 discloses an abnormality monitoring device for a welding machine which detects an abnormal state of the welding machine and outputs an abnormal message through a speaker. In this abnormality monitoring device, since an abnormality message is output by voice, there is no need for an operator to see a manual when an abnormality occurs. However, this abnormality monitoring device outputs sound only when an abnormality has occurred, and the information to be output is only a countermeasure for the abnormality. Therefore, if the operator has a question about the operation method before the welding operation is started or when the welding operation is normally performed, it is impossible for the operator to obtain information by voice.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a welding machine which can provide information on an operation method and the like to a worker at any time by voice. is there.

[0007]

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a welding device comprising a welding unit, an operation unit, a control unit, and a voice output unit. , A predetermined sound signal is selected, and the sound is output from the sound output means in accordance with the selected sound signal.

According to the present invention, since information such as the operation method is output by voice, the operator does not need to look at the manual. In addition, since the sound is output by operating the operation unit, the worker can obtain the sound information at any time.

In the present invention, the control means may include a memory in which an audio signal is stored, and an arithmetic unit for selecting a predetermined audio signal from the memory in accordance with an operation of the operation unit. Usually, a ROM is used as the memory, and a CPU is used as the arithmetic unit. By adopting the memory and the arithmetic unit, the response at the time of selecting the audio signal, at the time of outputting the audio, and the like can be enhanced.

[0010] In the present invention, it is preferable that the welding machine is configured so that sound can be output independently of the welding operation of the welding portion. Thus, regardless of the stage of the welding operation, information required by the operator can be output by voice, which is convenient.

In the present invention, it is preferable that a help switch is provided in the operation unit, and that the welding machine is configured so that information on the operation method is output by voice when the help switch is turned on. Thereby, the operator can obtain information on the operation method as needed, which is convenient. By turning on the help switch, all the information on the operation method may be output independently of the welding operation, and it is possible to detect the stage of the welding operation and selectively output information related to the stage. May be output.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the main power switch is provided in the operation unit, and that the welding machine is configured so that when the main power switch is turned on, information relating to the operation method is output by voice. . Before the welding operation is performed, the main power switch is always turned on. Therefore, the operator always obtains the information on the operation method by voice before the start of the operation, so that the erroneous operation of the welding machine is prevented.

[0013] In the present invention, a welding condition input switch is provided on the operation unit, and the welding machine is configured so that information on the welding condition is output in voice when the welding condition input switch is turned on. Is preferred. By doing so, the operator can input the welding conditions while confirming the voice, so that setting errors of the welding conditions are prevented. Examples of the welding condition input switch include a welding power up / down switch and a welding mode changeover switch.

The welding machine of the present invention performs welding only when a problem occurs in the mold, and is therefore suitably used for repairing the mold, in which the operator often does not know how to handle the welding machine. You. Of course, it can be used for other general welding.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a welding machine 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a right side view thereof. This welding machine 2 has a base plate 4
And a leg 6 and a main body 8. A caster 10 is provided below each corner of the base plate 4 to facilitate movement of the welding machine 2. Although not shown, the main body 8 has an AC voltage of 100 volts,
A power plug connected to a commercial alternating current such as a volt is provided.

As is apparent from FIG. 1, the length of the main body 8 in the left-right direction is set to be longer than the length of the leg 6 in the left-right direction, and the vicinity of the right end 12 of the main body 8 is larger than that of the leg 6. It protrudes to the right. An air filter 14 is provided below the right end 12. As is clear from FIG. 2, the length of the main body 8 in the front-rear direction (the length in the left-right direction in FIG. 2) is set to be larger than the length of the leg 6 in the front-rear direction. Leg 6 near front end 16
Projecting forward. An electrode terminal 18, a hose connection port 20, a base material terminal 22, and a connector 24 are provided below the front end 16.

A grip portion 28 is connected to the electrode terminal 18 via a welding cable 26 in which an electrode cable and a discharge hose are combined into one, and an electrode 30 is provided at the tip of the grip portion 28. ing. This electrode 30
The inside of the holding part 28 is connected to the electrode cable. A gas supply hose 32 is connected to the hose connection port 20. A base material cable 34 is connected to the base material terminal 22. Further, the connector 24 includes:
Foot switch 3 via foot switch cable 36
8 are connected. A welding current supply loop is formed by the electrode cable and the base material cable 34 in the welding cable 26. When the foot switch 38 is depressed, a current flows through this supply loop, and the base material 40 is subjected to resistance welding. You. At the time of welding, a metal powder or a metal powder-containing paste is placed at a welding position of the base material 40, and the electrode 30 is inserted therein. Further, compressed air (inert gas such as argon gas) which is sucked by the gas supply hose 32 and purified by the air filter 14 is sent to the tip of the grip portion 28 by the discharge hose in the welding cable 26, Cooling of the weld is performed. These air filter 14, welding cable 26, gripper 28, electrode 30,
The gas supply hose 32, the base material cable 34, the foot switch cable 36, the foot switch 38, and the like form a welded portion of the welding machine 2.

The front surface of the main body 8 is inclined downward from the rear to the front, and a control panel 42 as an operation unit is embedded in this portion. Further, a control means 44 (see FIG. 4) described in detail later is provided inside the main body 8. Further, a speaker 46 is provided below the vicinity of the front end 16 of the main body 8 as audio output means.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the control panel 42 of the welding machine 2 of FIG. The control panel 42 includes a main power switch 48, a power indicator 50, a help switch 52, a spot mode selection switch 54, a continuous mode selection switch 56, a power down switch 58,
Power up switch 60, power level meter 62
And an air conditioner 64.

The main power switch 48 is a switch for supplying a current to the welding machine 2, and the power indicator 50 is turned on when the main power switch 48 is turned on. The help switch 52 is a switch which is pressed when the operator does not know the operation method of the welding machine 2 or the like. When this switch is pressed, a sound is output from the speaker 46 and information such as the operation method is provided to the operator.
The spot mode selection switch 54 and the continuous mode selection switch 56 are switches for switching the welding mode. When the spot mode selection switch 54 is pressed, spot welding is performed, and when the continuous mode selection switch 56 is pressed, continuous welding is performed. Is performed. The power down switch 58 and the power up switch 60 are switches for setting the welding power. Each time the power down switch 58 is pressed, the power-on time is shortened, the welding power is reduced by one rank, and the power up switch 60 is turned off. Each time it is pressed, the energization time increases and the welding power increases by one rank. Generally, a high welding power is set when welding is performed over a wide area, and a low welding power is set when welding is performed over a small area. The setting of the welding power can also be adjusted by changing, for example, the voltage or the like other than the energizing time. The set welding power is the power level meter 6
2 is indicated. The air conditioner 64 is connected to the gripper 28.
To change the amount of compressed air sent to the

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the welding machine 2 of FIG. The welding machine 2 is provided with a control means 44, which includes an input unit 66, a CPU 68, a memory 70, an amplifier 72, and an output unit 74. Main power switch 4 of control panel 42 (see FIG. 3)
8, a help switch 52, a spot mode selection switch 54, a continuous mode selection switch 56, a power down switch 58 and a power up switch 60 are connected to an input section 66, and a power level meter 62 is connected to an output section 74.
Connected to Further, the output unit 74 includes a speaker 46, a first lamp 76, a second lamp 78, and a third lamp 8.
The 0th and fourth lamps 82 are connected.

When the main power switch 48 is turned on prior to welding, the signal flows to the CPU 68 via the input section 66. The CPU 68 detects that the main power switch 48 is turned on by this signal,
The CPU 68 selects a predetermined signal from among the audio signals stored in “0”, the audio signal is amplified by the amplifier 72, and further flows to the speaker 46 via the output unit 74 to output the audio. The output sound is, for example, the welding machine 2
Guidance etc. on the overall operation method. Specifically, a voice prompting an operator to perform a safety check of each part of the welding machine 2, a voice explaining how to set the electrode 30 (see FIG. 1), a voice explaining how to set welding conditions on the control panel 42, and the like. Is output. Of course, the audio output at the stage when the main power switch 48 is turned on may be omitted. Also,
The welding machine 2 may be configured such that the operator can select whether or not to output a sound when the main power switch 48 is turned on, according to his / her proficiency.

When the help switch 52 is turned on prior to welding or during the welding operation, the signal is input to the input unit 6.
6 to the CPU 68. With this signal, the CPU 68 detects that the help switch 52 has been turned on, and the CPU 68 selects a predetermined signal from the audio signals stored in the memory 70 in advance, and the audio signal is amplified by the amplifier 72. The sound is output to the speaker 46 via the output unit 74 and is output. The output sound may be guidance or the like relating to the overall operation method of the welding machine 2 in the same manner as when the main power switch 48 is turned on, or may be the stage of the welding operation when the help switch 52 is turned on. Only the related precautions may be used.

When the welding mode changeover switch (spot mode selection switch 54 or continuous mode selection switch 56) is turned on at the welding condition setting stage, the signal is input to the input section 6.
6 to the CPU 68. Based on this signal, the CPU 68 detects that the welding mode changeover switch has been turned on, and the CPU 68 selects a predetermined signal from audio signals stored in the memory 70 in advance, and the audio signal is amplified by the amplifier 72, Further, the sound is output to the speaker 46 via the output unit 74 and sound is output. The output sound includes, for example, a sound for notifying the operator of the type of the pressed switch (spot mode selection switch 54 or continuous mode selection switch 56). At the same time, a signal is sent from the CPU 68 to the first lamp 76 or the second lamp 78. The first lamp 76 is provided inside the spot mode selection switch 54, and the second lamp 78 is provided inside the continuous mode selection switch 56. The blinking of the first lamp 76 can be visually confirmed from outside the spot mode selection switch 54, and the blinking of the second lamp 78 can be visually confirmed from outside the continuous mode selection switch 56. First lamp 76 and second lamp 7
By illuminating one of 8 and 8, the operator can visually grasp the welding mode selected at that time.

When the power down switch 58 or the power up switch 60 is turned on at the welding condition setting stage, the signal flows to the CPU 68 via the input section 66. With this signal, the CPU 68 detects that the power down switch 58 or the power up switch 60 has been turned on, and the CPU 68 selects a predetermined signal from among the audio signals stored in the memory 70 in advance. The signal is amplified at 72 and further flows to the speaker 46 via the output unit 74 to output sound. As the output sound, for example, the type of the pressed switch (whether the power down switch 58 or the power up switch 60)
And a method for notifying an operator of a welding power set at that time. At the same time, a signal is sent from the CPU 68 to the third lamp 80 or the fourth lamp 82. The third lamp 80 is provided inside the power down switch 58, and the fourth lamp 82 is provided inside the power up switch 60. The blinking of the third lamp 80 can be visually confirmed from outside the power down switch 58, and the blinking of the fourth lamp 82 can be visually confirmed from outside the power up switch 60. By illuminating one of the third lamp 80 and the fourth lamp 82, the operator can visually recognize the type of the switch operated immediately before.

When the power down switch 58 or the power up switch 60 is turned on, the CP
A signal also flows from U68 to the power level meter 62 of the control panel 42. Power level meter 62
A plurality of LEDs are juxtaposed, and by turning on a predetermined number of the LEDs, the operator can visually grasp the welding power set at that time.

The CPU 68 is further connected to a welding portion 84. The welding conditions set on the control panel 42 are reflected on the welding portion 84 via the CPU 68, and the welding operation is performed under predetermined conditions.

The welding machine 2 may be provided with a volume control function, or may be provided with a headphone jack. The noise may be intense at the welding site,
If the volume can be adjusted or if the worker can wear the headphones, the worker can surely hear the output sound. In addition, in the welding machine 2, audio signals in a plurality of languages (for example, Japanese and English) are stored in the memory 70,
The configuration may be such that a language selection switch is provided on the control panel 42 or the like. As a result, the same model can be used in a plurality of countries, and can be used in a factory where foreigners of different languages are employed.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to resistance welding as an example, the welding machine of the present invention, in which sound is output in response to operation of the operation unit, can be applied to various welding methods other than resistance welding. . Further, the welding machine of the present invention is suitable for applications in which the welding machine does not operate frequently, such as mold repair, but can also be used for various uses other than mold repair.

[0030]

As is clear from the above description, according to the welding machine of the present invention, information on the operation method and the like can be provided to the worker at any time by voice. Therefore, an operator's operation error is prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a welding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side view illustrating the welding machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view showing a control panel of the welding machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the welding machine of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Welding machine 4 Base plate 6 Leg part 8 Body part 14 Air filter 18 Electrode terminal 20 Hose connection port 22 Base material terminal 24 Connector 26 Welding cable 28 Holding part 30 Electrode 32 Gas supply hose 34 Base material cable 36 Foot switch cable 38 Foot switch 40 Base material 42 Control panel 44 Control means 46 Speaker 48 Main power switch 50 Power indicator 52 Help switch 54 Spot mode selection switch 56 Continuous mode selection switch 58 Power down switch 60 Power up switch 62 Power level meter 64 Air conditioner 66 Input Part 68 CPU 70 memory 72 amplifier 74 output part 76 first lamp 78 second lamp 80 third lamp 82 fourth lamp 84 welding part

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus comprising a welding unit, an operation unit, a control unit, and an audio output unit, wherein a predetermined audio signal is selected by the control unit in accordance with an operation of the operation unit, and the selected audio signal is selected. A welding machine configured to output sound from the sound output means. 2. The welding machine according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes a memory in which an audio signal is stored, and an arithmetic unit for selecting a predetermined audio signal from the memory in accordance with an operation of an operation unit. . 3. The welding machine according to claim 1, wherein a sound can be output irrespective of a welding operation of the welding portion. 4. The operation unit has a help switch,
4. The welding machine according to claim 1, wherein when the help switch is turned on, information on an operation method is output by voice. 5. 5. The operation unit includes a main power switch,
The welding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information on the operation method is output by voice when the main power switch is turned on. 6. The operation unit according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit includes a welding condition input switch, and when the welding condition input switch is operated, information relating to the welding condition is output as a voice. The welding machine according to any one of the preceding claims. 7. The welding machine according to claim 1, which is used for repairing a mold.