Electrodes
Questions and Answers
Class 1 material is a designation of the Resistance Welding Manufacturers Alliance (RWMA) which describes a group of copper alloys with good strength and high electrical conductivity. Class 1 is often used to weld aluminum and other good conductors like brasses and bronzes which require high weld currents.
Class 1 Bar Stock
There are six standard faces designs. Shown below are female caps. The same face designs are offered in male caps and full size electrodes.
A-Pointed B-Dome C-Flat D-Offset E-Truncated F-Radiuis
The proper choice of electrode face design will depend upon your application, the material being welded and resistance welding process. If Spot welding, you might use any of the six standard designs. The “A”, “B”, “D” and “E” faced electrodes all have the same weld face if purchased in the same body size. The “C” is a flat faced electrode and the “F” is a full large radius electrode which almost appears flat.
MALE CAP & FULL SIZE ELECTRODE "A" NOSE
The choice of cap vs full size standard electrode comes down to job shop, frequent set ups and length of production runs. Caps are the choice for long runs or in highly automated facilities. Full sized electrodes are the norm in job shops where short runs and frequent job changes are the norm.
FEMALE CAP "A" Nose MALE CAP "A" Nose
Resistance welding caps both female and male are usually used in high volume and automated applications. In press welders resistance welding caps and shanks are frequently used to reduce copper electrode costs.
Spot welding electrodes require dressing or conditioning back to original face geometry whenever the resultant weld nugget is getting smaller and approaching an unacceptable size. This is determined through quality checks of the product or coupons as determined by your quality program. Most checks are made by destructive means. The two sheets of metal are clamped in a vise and chiseled or pulled apart. The average of the measured length and width of the resultant pulled nugget is the value being sought.
The quality system normally will specify a minimum which must be maintained. In some facilities tensile tests are specified and similar samples are pulled and tested at specified intervals to insure quality. The need for dressing the electrode and testing of product applies not only to spot welding but also projection and seam welding.
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