Butt Welder Manual
Butt Welder Manual
Butt Welder Manual
OPERATIONS
MANUAL
Model #
Butt Welder
Serial #
Contents
CONTENTS....................................................................................................................... 2
SAFETY............................................................................................................................. 5
TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................................................................. 15
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE................................................................................. 16
DRAWINGS .................................................................................................................... 21
Installation Instructions
Customer:
Model Number:
Serial Number:
Machine Type: Butt Welder
Voltage:
Hertz:
Phase:
Fuse Rating:
This manual must be completely read and understood before operating the welder.
WARNING: It is mandatory that the welder be grounded according to all local safety
codes and regulations. It is recommended that you ground the frame to a water pipe,
grounding rod or some other earth ground. Remember paint is an insulator, so strip the
portion of the frame as well as the earth ground. Check with your electrician to find a
good ground for you. Failure to ground this machine may result in severe injury or death.
3. Connect air supply line to the input fitting of the lubro assembly. The lubro assembly
includes a filter station, however individual plant conditions could warrant additional
traps and/or filters to avoid unnecessary damage due to moisture condensation or
other foreign material.
4. Connect all water inlets and drains, furnish a water supply which will maintain
sufficient cooling. Welders with water-cooled electrode holders require a minimum
of 1½ GPM. Welders with water-cooled transformer Ignitron Contactors and water-
cooled SCR Contactors require a minimum of 5 GPM.
5. After the completion of the installation, the welder should first be sequenced through
it’s various functions without application of any weld currents. When the welder
performs this satisfactory, then it can be setup for production runs.
NOTE 1.) For seam welders use the equivalent projection welder recommendations.
NOTE 2.) Above wire sizes are based on a 100-foot run. Furthermore, it is assumed that
the allowable voltage drop takes place in this cable and that the user’s power supply is
inherently stiff. The next smaller size wire may be used for runs shorter than 50 feet.
NOTE 3.) All values are recommended only. Installation must be done in accordance to
all local codes.
Safety
The text you are about to read is only to be used as a general guideline. Each plant and
machine having unique characteristics. Use your experience to apply this guide to your
application.
2. Guards or other devices to keep the operators hands out of danger should be furnished
by user management and maintained operational.
3. Management must schedule periodic checks to insure safe and proper operation of the
welder.
LORS Resistance Welders are designed to the highest performance and safety standards
known to the resistance welding industry. However, the installation, usage, suitability
and fitness of our equipment can be overcome by improper usage.
General
1. The operator of this equipment must read and thoroughly understand this section prior
to the operation or repair of this equipment.
2. Company management and supervision has the responsibility to insure that all
personnel operating this machine are properly trained and is judged competent and
physically able to operate this equipment.
3. Using the documentation and the warning labels the operator must be alerted by his
supervisors of the safety hazards that can occur if precautions are not taken.
4. Users of the equipment are responsible for full compliance of all safety and operating
procedure as well as with all Federal, State and Local codes.
5. The user is responsible for insuring that all non-English speaking personnel
understand all instructions and safety procedures.
6. The user should conform to OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910 in the installation,
operation and maintenance of this equipment.
7. The user should institute a periodic safety inspection to insure proper and safe
operation of the equipment.
10. First aid equipment must be readily available at all times when operating this
equipment.
Electrical
1. High voltage is present in the controls, tap switch, terminal blocks and by
transformers. All the necessary precautions are to be observed.
2. Installation of the main disconnect and main power connections to the machine are to
be made by a licensed electrician. All local codes must be observed.
4. The equipment and cabinets must be properly grounded. The ground lead should be
sized sufficiently.
5. Failure to follow electrical safety precautions could result in serious injury or death.
2. The air filter must be bled regularly and air lines must be kept clean.
3. Insure that the air pressure is adequate and consistent for the welder.
5. In the event of an air or water leak, remove all power from the machine before
qualified personnel attempt to correct the problem.
Operator Precautions
1. A daily safety check should be made prior to powering up the welder. If a problem is
found, it should be corrected before proceeding with the work.
2. Only properly trained personnel should operate this equipment. Only qualified
maintenance personnel should attempt to repair this welder.
3. No modification of the safety devices shall be made without the written authorization
of LORS machinery.
6. The operator should be aware of the function and operation of the Emergency Stop
buttons.
7. Do not leave the welder unattended with the power on for any extended period of
time.
8. It is the user’s responsibility that proper safety equipment is used when the welder is
being operated. These include but are not limited to:
Protective glasses
Protective shoes
Non flammable outer garments
9. Initiation should normally be made by only one person unless other safety designs
have been incorporated by the manufacturer to allow multiple initiations.
10. Operators should be aware of the magnetic fields generated by the welder. The fields
can play havoc with watches and other electromechanical devices.
LORS MODEL BW
INSTALLATION: The welder should be leveled and firmly anchored to the floor and
grounded as a safety measure with #10 wire to the steel building structure or a water
supply pipe.
AIR SUPPLY: The machine is completely piped at LORS. Therefore, the only air
connection required is a supply line connected to the air filter which is the last unit of the
air line accessory group.
Below is a general description of the components that were used to make your LORS
Butt Welder. Styles may vary slightly and the control changes upon request. Use the
descriptions as a guide and remember that your machine may have slight variations.
LUBRICATOR
This pulsating type lubricator functions only when the welder is in operation and injects
sufficient oil into the air stream to create an oil fog which travels with the air stream to
lubricate the internal working parts of the pneumatic system.
Adjust the needle valve on top of the lubricator, when the welder is in operation, for one
drop to about every 20 to 25 strokes of the welder.
AIR FILTER
The air filter eliminates most particles of grit, pipe, scale, condensation and other foreign
matter from entering the air stream to the pneumatic system. Opening the waste petcock
for cleaning purposes should be done daily or as often as required. Periodically remove
the plug on top of the filter then remove the screen and clean it. Replace components
when completed.
PRESSURE SWITCH
When used, the pressure switch is connected to the air operated push-up cylinders. When
pressure on the air cylinder reaches a predetermined setting, the normally open contacts
of the pressure switch will close to energize the welder control circuit for a weld
sequence.
Adjust the pressure switch by turning adjuster knob clockwise to set pressure higher than
the pressure reading on regulator gauge. Set Weld/No Weld switch to weld position.
Place material between weld jaws and depress footswitch. After the welding jaws contact
the material, rotate adjuster knob counter clockwise slowly until the weld current is
applied. The function of the pressure switch is to insure that proper pressure is applied
LORS Machinery, Inc. -9- (908) 964-9100
1090 Lousons Road FAX (908) 964-4492
Union, NJ 07083 E-Mail: support@lors.com
Model Operations Manual
before current flows. Improper adjustment can cause a pre-fire condition. If the period
of delay is longer than desired, make the necessary adjustments by further counter
clockwise rotating the adjuster knob.
HEAT REGULATOR
The heat regulator is a heavy-duty tap switch properly rated for the KVA capacity of the
welder and is used to pre-select the current required. This switch must not be adjusted
during the weld cycle.
SPEED CONTROLS
Speed controls are used to adjust the speed of the travel of the welding jaws. When
properly adjusted excessive hammering of the weld jaws will be avoided. After setting
these controls be sure to lock all adjusters. Refer to parts diagram of your welder for
location of these speed controls.
SQUEEZE TIMER
On Butt Welders featuring electronic squeeze timer and limit switch cutoff you must
adjust the squeeze time to insure that the proper weld force is applied before turning on of
the weld current.
WELDING CONTROLS
Weld controls are available in many different forms. From the basic Non-Synchronous to
the Solid State / Binary count controls, all the way to the precision Microprocessor
controls. The one thing that they have in common is that they regulate your welding.
The Non-Synchronous gives you the basic functions you need while the Microprocessor
on the other end of the spectrum gives you a full function of features. We will cover the
most basic functions while you will have to go to the control manual for more detailed
explanations.
SQUEEZE TIME
The Squeeze Time is the time interval between the initiation and the beginning of the
welding cycle. The set value should be long enough to allow the upset pressure to reach
the correct force before the beginning of the welding cycle. Too little squeeze time can
cause pre-firing between the workpieces at the beginning of the welding cycle, this can
lead to a poor weld quality. Too much squeeze time can slow down production.
WELD TIME
Weld Time is the period weld current is applied. It starts at the conclusion of squeeze
time and times the duration of the current flow through the work.
CURRENT
The value expressed in CURRENT indicates the percent of welding operating power for
the current tap setting.
HOLD
The Hold Time is the time elapsing between the end of the welding process and the
opening of the jaws. It enables a shorter cooling of the welding spot and avoids its stress
before a proper cooling.
OFF TIME
Off Time is the time between the de-energizing and energizing of the weld valve during
the auto repeat mode. It must be set to a time, which allows you to safely move your
workpiece during production.
WELD / NO WELD
The Weld / No Weld switch allows you to sequence the control without passing actual
weld current. This can be useful when sizing up your workpiece to plan production.
PULSATION
Pulsation allows the use of multiple pulses of the preset current percent and time values.
This is used for coated and for metals which may exceed the KVA rating of the welder.
COOL TIME
The Cool Time function is used when you require multiple pulses. It is the time elapsing
between one welding pulse and the next one.
See the manufacturers manual for additional instructions on their specific control.
OPERATING ADJUSTMENTS
After the welder is installed and the proper connections are made and mechanical setup is
performed, it is desirable to determine if the welder sequences properly. Check to
determine if the welder is installed properly and connected to the proper voltage. Certain
models are capable of running on 220 or 440 volts, you can find the instructions to
change these voltages elsewhere in this manual. Make sure the welder is properly fused
according to the wire chart enclosed in this manual. Make sure it is in compliance with
all local codes and regulations.
Check that all air and water connections are installed properly. First apply air to the
welder, then apply water and electrical power to the welder. Check the air and water
flow. Set the air pressure regulator to the required air pressure to obtain desired upset
force.
After the power is on, adjust the squeeze time to the maximum setting so that the welder
will not pre-fire. Adjust the weld time sequence to recommended setting for the type and
thickness of the material to be welded. Refer to the weld schedules listed in most
electrode and accessory catalogs. The hold time should initially be set to five cycles and
adjusted as needed. Put the control into Non-Repeat operation and no weld. This will
permit the welder to cycle without welding.
CAUTION: Be sure that hands, fingers, clothing or other items are clear of jaws.
Non-Repeat Position
The welder will go through one sequence of squeeze, weld and hold time even though the
initiation switch is closed momentarily. This is the inherent NON-REPEAT feature of
this control initiation. The welder will go through only one sequence even if the
initiation switch is held closed after the completion of the cycle.
Repeat Position
The welder will continue to go through sequence cycles of squeeze, weld, hold and off
times as long as the initiation switch is held closed. The welder will finish the sequence
in which the initiating switch is opened and then stop.
Off time should be set long enough to allow the operator to reposition the piece for the
next weld. The automatic operation resulting from the “Repeat” position is normally
used only when the spot welds are closely spaced and it takes about the same interval of
time to reposition them.
All of the above functions have been described on the assumption that Single Stage
Initiating Switch Operation has been used. This means that once the initiating or pilot
switch is closed the complete sequence starts.
When the first stage is initiated, the electrodes close on the work pieces. However, the
remainder of the cycle of weld and hold times will not begin until the second stage is
initiated. With this arrangement the operator can reopen the electrodes by releasing the
first stage again. Providing he is satisfied with the work position, the operator will then
proceed to the second stage, which will allow the control to go through the remainder of
the sequence. The second stage initiation need only be momentary.
Some machines may be equipped with both a footswitch and hand initiation. The
operating mode can be changed by a switch, usually key operated, to switch from one
system to the other.
MAINTENANCE
Proper maintenance consists of the following:
1. The timer should be kept clean by periodically blowing out the dirt with a low-
pressure dry airline. Care should be taken to use dry air. A portable type vacuum
cleaner is suitable also.
2. Relay maintenance consists primarily of occasionally dressing (with power off) the
contacts with fine crocus cloth or equivalent. DO NOT USE FILES OR
ABRASIVES, which can remove the non-corrosive plating. DO NOT OIL ANY
MOVING PARTS ON THE RELAY.
3. Inspect all wires and pluggable components occasionally to make sure that they are
secure in place. It is recommended that you have some spare components available
for replacement if necessary.
Troubleshooting
As with any welding process you may sometimes encounter difficulty. If you stop to
examine what you are doing, you will usually find that the problem can be corrected.
The most common cause of spotwelding problems is the failure to properly select and
maintain the electrodes. Poor electrode life is usually traced to improper water cooling
and/or incorrect weld schedules. Excessive weld times do not make better welds and will
result in poor weld appearance, as well as, shorter electrode life.
Refer to the chart below for a general troubleshooting guide, which lists some resistance
welding problems and their possible causes. A better understanding of the resistance
welding process and how to use it will enable you to increase your spotwelding
productivity and improve the quality of your welded assemblies.
Preventive Maintenance
Excuse me sounding like an old cliché but “A Clean Machine Is A Happy Machine” and
happy machines make happy users. If properly maintained your welder will keep up
production, save you money and function flawlessly. Not only do you want to keep the
welder cleaned and properly maintained but you also want to keep the surrounding area
properly maintained. A clean shop results in your expensive machinery operating much
more efficiently. This especially holds true for today’s modern microprocessor controls.
Your welding machine or any equipment for that matter should never be used as tool
cribs, clothing racks, ashtrays, coffee tables or sort. Not only will this hamper your
machine performance but can result in a safety hazard.
CAUTION: Before performing any preventive maintenance be sure to remove all power
and air to the welder.
The points outlined in this section are not intended as a detailed schedule for preventive
maintenance on all types of resistance welders. You can however use this as a guideline
and adapt it to your production. The suggested intervals are based on an eight-hour day.
If you use your equipment on multiple shifts adjust your procedure accordingly.
Records
Each welder should have a separate equipment history book. This book should have
tabulations of all maintenance problems and solutions occurred. This will become a
valuable aid when troubleshooting and result in greater up time.
This book is an excellent place to log your preventive maintenance schedules and results.
Daily
• Wipe all surfaces clean of dirt, dust, grease, oil and water. Pay particular attention to
cleaning clamp surfaces.
• Clean up work area.
• Check the water flow.
• Check for air and water leaks and repair if needed.
• Listen for any abnormal noises coming from the control area.
• Check timers and control for proper dial settings according to schedule chart.
• Check for malfunctioning interlocks or safety devices.
• Sequence machine and check for abnormalities.
Weekly
Monthly
• Flush the entire system or reverse to remove any accumulation of foreign matter. If
you notice a build up you may want to flush it with a solution of vinegar and water.
• Remove and clean any strainers or filters.
• Replace worn or cracked hoses.
• Tighten all hose clamps.
• Check and correct water temperature and pressure.
• Make sure that shutoff solenoids and valves are operating correctly.
• Check ground connections on your separate earth ground.
• Tighten all terminal connections and visually examine all solder connections.
• Check line voltage with and without welder load. Voltage should not vary more than
10%.
• Make sure all air vents are free.
• Check wire insulation for cracks and dirt accumulation. Replace if needed.
• Vacuum or blow out control unit, be sure to cover any electronic components when
blowing out control.
• Remove air filter and clean.
• Check for loose cylinder bolts or hold down plates.
• Inspect shock blocks for secure weldments.
• Check cylinders for air leaks and rods for score marks.
• With the air removed check for sluggishness or sticking of cylinders. All cylinders
should move freely without air connected.
• Check air gauge for excessive pressure drops during operations.
• Check all speed control setting, adjust and lock.
Quarterly
Annually
• Remove all grease and rust from the welder and apply a coat of machinery paint.
• Check for extensive wear of trunnions, bearing, brushed, etc. and replace worn or
damaged parts.
• Reverse flush water system and replace hoses where required.
• Check and replace air hoses and piping where required.
• Check and replace over temperature switch or flow switch if needed.
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Drawings