Electrical Bus

Welding is one kind of the metal joining process. Of the welding processes, arc welding is most commonly used. When arc welding is carried manually for repetitive work, precision cannot be maintained. Automatic welding came to solve such problem. Automated welding system produces better weld quality.
Best results are achieved by automating the process using robot controlled system. It is done by manipulator which is one of the main parts of a robot. Different manipulator designed for different types of joints and welding paths. For welding in linear path needs to move the manipulator in horizontal and vertical direction. A robotic manipulator which can perform arc welding in linear path at maximum reachable length of 35 cm has been designed and constructed. The manipulator can move in horizontal and vertical direction linearly.

The arc welding manipulator is consist of some mechanical parts such as shaft, spur gear, worm and worm gear, rack and pinion, bearing, aluminium box, reinforces, nut & bolts.
On the other hand the horizontal movement of the lower box maintain the movement of the electrode holder in horizontal direction.
In the manipulator the following parts are important:
(1) Shafts
(2) Spur gears
(3) Worm and worm gear
(4) Reinforces

The manipulator was designed to move in two direction such as horizontal (X) and vertical (Z) direction. The base can be moved in another horizontal (Y) direction in its further improvement. Thus it could also weld in circular path.
This manipulator was designed for the purpose of arc welding. But instead of using arc welding electrode holder, if gas cutting torch was used, the manipulator could work as a gas cutting manipulator which can cut metal in linear direction. If gripper was used, it could pick and place an object.
In the control system of the manipulator, if feedback control system was used, it should give higher precision.