Smart electrode
CenterLine has combined its proven nut and bolt welding technology with the latest in fiber optics to create the Smart Electrode™ system.
The Smart Electrode family of nut/bolt detection systems can detect a wide range of potential weld defects. Helping to minimize bad welds and/or scrap parts, these systems aim to provide weld controls with real-time feedback, indicating when pre- and post-weld information falls outside user-defined reference parameters and tolerances.
This product designed by Centerline (Windsor) Ltd. is actually an electrode for welding nuts and bolts similar to those normally used in manual and automatic applications, however it is noteworthy that this electrode has vision through an optical fiber that is located inside and transmits the position of the guide bolt with great accuracy (0.1mm) and reliability to a remote module that compares the measurement values of each nut to be welded and determines if the nut is in the correct position also detecting if it is present or not.
Smart Electrode
The Smart Electrode system is available in two different configurations:
- SE Smart Electrode: It is a dedicated detection system for individual welds. Provides diagnostic feedback for the most common weld defects and is easy to integrate
to the weld control to interrupt the sequence when conditions fall outside the learned parameters. - Pin return unit: A sensing device that can be used to verify that the welding electrode lock is in the return position. It can be used to prevent nuts from entering the electrode when the pin is out of position or to signal that the part was improperly loaded, or failed to eject.
For bolts we can also measure if the bolt is the correct one both in its diameter (head) and in its length also detecting if the bolt is present or not.
Finally you can count on an affordable, easy-to-operate product that puts an end to weld rejects and nutless units once and for all, all with CenterLine’s Smart Electrode.
- SE Smart Electrode
- Pin return unit
Smart Electrode
