Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- equipment:mainroom:spot_welder [2024/05/09 19:01] – jon_alston
+++ equipment:mainroom:spot_welder [2024/11/19 21:42] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 <callout title="Burn Hazard" type="warning" icon="true"> This equipment is hazardous to the user or those around them, take care during use.</callout>
-<callout title="Electrical Hazard" type="warning" icon="true"> This equipment is hazardous to the user or those around them, take care during use. Metal jewellry, watches, and clothing with metal zips must be removed before use. The area must be cleared of metallic items.
+<callout title="Electrical Hazard" type="warning" icon="true"> This equipment is hazardous to the user or those around them, take care during use. Metal jewellery, watches, and clothing with metal zips must be removed before use. The area must be cleared of metallic items.
 </callout>
@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 [[https://www.keenlab.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/kWeld-operation-manual-r3.0.pdf|kWeld Operation Manual - External Link]]
 [[https://www.keenlab.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/kWeld-assembly-manual-r5.0.pdf|kWeld Assembly Manual - External Link]]
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 === Setup and Preparation for a Spot Welding ===
   * Clear the area of of metallic objects that could cause an accidental short.
-  * Ensure the spot welder is securely connected to a suitable power source and turned on. Provide more detail about the order in which is should be turned on. Plug in kettle lead, plug in foot pedal, plug in welding pen, turn on switch below kettle lead. Include pictures of the kettle plug and switch, foot plug, and welding pen jacks.
   * Material Preparation: Clean the surfaces of the metal sheets to be welded, removing any dirt, oil, or debris that could interfere with the welding process.
-  * Adjustment: Adjust the spot welder settings, including the welding current and duration, based on the material type, thickness, and desired weld strength.
+=== Setting Up the Welder ===
-=== Adjusting the Welder Settings ===
+  * Turn the welder on
-  * Bullet point
+  * Ensure the spot welder is securely connected to a suitable power source and turned on. Provide more detail about the order in which is should be turned on. Plug in kettle lead, plug in foot pedal, plug in welding pen, turn on switch below kettle lead. Include pictures of the kettle plug and switch, foot plug, and welding pen jacks.
-  * Another bullet point
+  * Need to select automatic or manual mode, this is prompted once it boots up (or maybe it is set when it's turned on depending on whether the foot pedal is pressed or not)
-  * Yet another bullet point
+  * In manual mode the pulse is triggered when holding down the foot pedal, in automatic mode it is triggered shortly after the device detects that both electrodes have made contact
+  * At this point if the electrodes are shorted a warning will be displayed
+  * If it is booted up correctly the screen will now display the energy that will be used for the next weld and it is ready to go
+  * The energy can be adjusted with the dial
+  * When welding pure nickel strips onto 18650 cells the manufacturer suggests 20J for 0.1 mm thick strips, 50J for 0.2 mm, and 100J for 0.3 mm.
 === Making a Spot Weld ===
-  * Clamping: Position the metal sheets between the electrodes of the spot welder, ensuring proper alignment and contact.
+  * Clamping: Position the metal sheets between the electrodes of the spot welder, ensuring proper alignment and contact. Firmly push both electrodes down to the weld material at a slight angle as shown below. Make sure that the electrodes do not touch each other, or you will likely weld them together instead.
-  * Activation: Activate the spot welder to initiate the welding cycle, applying pressure and current to create the weld.
+  * Activation: Trigger a pulse by stepping on the foot switch - and keeping your foot down. Don’t be frightened, the cables will jump from the high current flowing through them, and the weld spot may emit sparks. You’ll see the LCD illumination dim briefly - this is done on purpose to save power during the pulse.
+  * Listen to the sound from the welder, as it tells you if the welding process has succeeded or not:
+a. one short beep signals success
+b. a higher tone, followed by a lower tone, signals that something went wrong
   * Cooling: Allow the welded area to cool sufficiently before removing the electrodes, ensuring the integrity of the weld joint.
+  * When finished reading, release your foot from the switch. The results disappear from the LCD and the welder is instantly ready for another go. If you keep your foot on the pedal more information about the weld will be displayed on the screen, please refer to the manual for more information about this.
 === After spot welding ===