Construction of a resistance welding machine

In practice, there are many different types of welding machines. These can be stationary devices, so-called pedestal welding machines, but also movable devices, so-called welding guns. In addition to the widely used standard machines and tongs, there are many different special machines. In the case of column machines, a distinction is made between spot, projection and seam welding machines according to the welding application. Combined machines are also offered, which can work as spot or projection welding machines, depending on the tool used. With pliers, a distinction is mainly made between X- and C- pliers.

The typical resistance welding machine consists of the frame (machine body), which must be stable due to the high forces required, the secondary circuit consisting of the arms with the current-carrying parts to close the circuit, the welding transformer, which is usually housed in the base frame or machine body, the power generation system (pneumatic, hydraulic or electric) and the power supply consisting of control and power electronics. Cooling is also not to be forgotten.

This is usually a water cooling circuit for connection to an external feed or to a separate cooling unit. Welding can be started via separate switches, foot or two-hand control panels for manual triggering or by linking to a higher-level PLC (programmable logic controller) for automated operation.