Welding torch and corresponding welding facility and method for mutual adaptation

REPUBLIC

AUSTRIA

Patent Office (10) number: AT 407 019 B

<td> (12)</td><td></td><td></td>

<td> (21)</td><td>Application number:</td><td> 107/99</td>

<td> (22)</td><td>Registration date:</td><td> 27.01.1999</td>

<td> (42)</td><td>Start of the patent term:</td><td> 15.04.2000</td>

<td> (45)</td><td>Issue date:</td><td> 27.11.2000</td>

PATENT LETTER (51) Intel⁷: B23K 9/00 (56) Citations:

EP 854006A1 EP508482A2 US5500512A US 4742470A (73) Patent owner:

FRONIUS SCHWEISSMASCHINEN KG. AUSTRIA A-4600 WELS / THALHEIM, UPPER AUSTRIA (AT).

(54) WELDING TORCH AND ASSOCIATED WELDING SYSTEM AND PROCEDURES FOR MUTUAL ADJUSTMENT

QQ

CT

The invention describes a welding torch for connection to a power source or a welding device (1), the welding torch (10) being connectable to the power source or the welding device (1) via a hose package (24) and lines (28, 29), such as a welding current cable, in the hose package (24) Wire guide line (30), a gas line and at least one control line (32) are arranged and the welding torch (10) has means for detecting the type of welding torch by the power source or the welding device (1). The welding torch (10) and / or the hose package (24) is assigned at least one active component (38) or passive component, such as at least one mechanical identification part that can be operatively connected to an electrical or optical scanning device or a machine-readable or plain text identifier which resp. which contains or provides information about the properties and / or the configuration of the welding torch (10) and / or the hose package (24).

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DVR 0078018

AT 407 01 9 B

The invention relates to a welding torch for connection to a power source or a welding device and a welding system with a welding torch that can be connected to a power source or to a welding device via a hose package, as well as a method for adapting a welding device or an industrial welding unit or an associated control device to a Welding torches intended for use as described in claims 1, 17 and 21.

By using different ohmic resistors, according to EP 0 854 006 A1 and EP 0 508 482 A2, it is possible to recognize different welding torches by different signals, but the welding device or the power source, in particular a control device arranged therein, then uses the Properties and / or configurations and / or the parameters or Programs have to be called up or read out from an internally arranged memory element.

EP 0 854 006 A1 discloses an electric welding device, in particular an inert gas welding device with a welding tool or welding torch connected to the supply and / or control unit. As is known per se, the welding torch can be coupled to and also uncoupled from the supply and / or control unit by means of a line system and plug connections, in particular by means of a hose package. The electric welding device has an electrical resistor arranged on the welding torch side as a means for detecting the type or type of the connected welding torch. The disadvantage here is that the electrical signal obtained with the help of the ohmic resistance only represents the type of welding torch connected and a large number of parameters relevant to the welding process are not taken into account, since it is not possible to identify all possible combinations of all parameters relevant to the welding process by changing the ohmic resistance. Therefore, in many cases, no satisfactory welding results can be achieved.

Furthermore, from US Pat. No. 4,742,470 A, a transponder system, in particular a device identification system, is known in which a transponder is arranged in couplings, device parts and data can be read out via an associated activation device. These are then processed further by a control device, which enables recognition or identification. The disadvantage here again is that only small amounts of data can be stored and thus the essential information, data or programs have to be stored in the control device.

US 5 500 512 A shows a bar code system in which bar code information can be read using an additional reading device. The disadvantage of this system is that appropriate software has to be used for the detection and conversion of the bar code, and again only a small amount of data can be stored.

In the case of welding devices or welding systems, it is also known to create the necessary connections for connecting a welding torch to the power source or to the welding unit by means of corresponding coupling devices. Usually, when the welding torch is connected to the corresponding power source, the welding current connection, the welding wire transition and the protective gas transition as well as the connection of the individual control lines for influencing the welding process are created. If necessary, the water supply and return lines, the supply lines for the wire feed devices in the welding torch area and control lines for various operating and display units are also coupled. To differentiate between the various types of torches, differently designed coupling parts or interchangeable connecting bridges are provided in the welding torch's connector. The disadvantage here is that the correct device setting depends on the operating personnel and, if the wrong type of torch is selected, there is a risk of destruction of the welding torch components and the welding device components as well as the workpieces.

The present invention is based on the object of creating a system with which the adaptation of the welding torch to the respective welding power sources is simplified and with which possible sources of error are largely excluded.

This object of the invention is achieved by the features specified in claim 1.

The advantage here is that a large part of the adjustment work with a type change or a

AT 407 019 B

There is no need to replace the welding torch or the connection hose package. In particular, cooling circuit codes or software settings to be adjusted manually in the welding power source, depending on gas or water-cooled welding torches, can be dispensed with. Another significant advantage is that no specialist knowledge is required for connecting or exchanging the welding torch or the hose assembly. But it is also not a special experience of the operator or Service personnel are required for the optimal device setting depending on the hose package used or the welding torch used. In particular, adjustment work for a possible cooling device of the welding torch relating, for example, to the type of cooling, the required cooling capacity or the cooling medium, is unnecessary. Furthermore, the automatic transmission of the values ​​for individual parameters of the welding torch or of the hose package to the power source or to the welding device or to the corresponding control device, an automatic correction of the voltage drop dependent on the hose package resistance and the welding current can be carried out. In particular, the arc length or the pulse voltage can be corrected as a function of the voltage drop in the hose package. Likewise, an adjustment of an additional wire feed device, so-called push-pull motors, in the area of ​​the welding torch can be omitted, since its characteristic values ​​can be permanently stored in the active or passive component. Since the properties or technical data of the connecting hose package between the welding torch and the power source that significantly influence a welding process can now also be taken into account, optimal welding results can always be achieved. In particular, the welding current and / or welding voltage values ​​can be automatically adapted to the properties or actual values ​​of the hose package, preferably fully automatically, by the welding power source. Important hose package properties are, for example Defined by the hose package length, the cross-section and / or the specific resistance of the welding current line in the hose package and / or the maximum load capacity, which properties support the achievement of high-quality welding results in the long term when taken into account when considering the composition of the welding energy to be provided.

The embodiments according to claim 2 are also advantageous, since this allows conclusions to be drawn unambiguously about the configuration and technical data of the welding torch or the connecting hose package, either based on the nature of the component or based on the data stored by the component.

An embodiment variant according to claim 3 is also advantageous, since a large number of items of information, in particular also detailed information, can thereby be stored and this information can be called up again extremely reliably at any time.

According to another embodiment variant according to claim 4, a reliable provision of data or an identifier is achieved since a wireless or contactless data transmission path can be set up which completely eliminates transmission problems as a result of contact deficiencies, for example caused by oxidation or wear and tear of the contact points Another important advantage is that a large number of unmistakable identifiers or Codes are available which can clearly identify the corresponding torch type or hose package type. In addition, the component can be made particularly small and integrated in the connector of the hose assembly and does not require any maintenance work. Likewise, by means of a transponder arranged in the connection area of ​​the hose package, the transmission path to an associated reading unit can be kept relatively short and a functionally reliable, robust system can be created that does not require any special precautionary or handling measures.

Another embodiment according to claim 5 is also advantageous, since this enables reliable detection of the torch types or hose package types that can be connected to a welding device or to an industrial welding unit in a simple manner with relatively little effort and low costs.

However, an embodiment according to claim 6 is also advantageous, since it enables largely automated input and processing of the welding torch and / or the hose package

AT 407 01 9 B characterizing identifier is enabled.

The embodiment according to claim 7 has the advantage that large amounts of data can be read out by the digital control device with high reliability in a relatively short time.

An advantageous adaptation of the operating means and / or components of a welding device that provide electrical energy to the intended welding torch or to the intended hose package is made possible by the design according to claim 8.

According to the advantageous embodiment according to claim 9, the respective welding torch and / or the respective hose package can be identified on the basis of an identifier that can be automatically detected by the control device.

An embodiment according to claim 10 or 11 is also advantageous, since this allows the properties of the cooling system to be automatically adapted to the requirements or circumstances.

An embodiment according to claim 12 is also advantageous, since it achieves optimal wire feed without significant dead times and the numerous characteristic values ​​of a wire feed device can advantageously be stored in the memory element.

According to claim 13, the advantages according to the invention are available in a wide range of applications.

An embodiment according to claim 14 is also advantageous, since this means that the information and data transmission paths can be kept short and additional lines in the hose package are unnecessary.

The embodiment according to claim 15 is advantageous here, since it allows the component or memory element and the associated interrogation or reading device to be arranged directly adjacent to one another.

The training according to claim 16 enables the most suitable type of transmission to be selected depending on the respective environmental conditions.

The object of the invention is also achieved independently by the features of claim 17.

The advantages resulting from the combination of features of this claim are that the welding system receives a series of information or information immediately after the connection hose package has been connected. Data about the welding torch and / or the connecting hose package are available and the welding system can automatically carry out corresponding correction, monitoring, control or adaptation functions based on this information about the structure, configuration and technical parameters.

An embodiment according to claim 18 is advantageous here, since all these components, especially the cooling device, can be automatically adapted according to the transferred information.

An embodiment according to claim 19 is also advantageous, however, since it enables the welding torch or the hose assembly to be replaced quickly, if necessary, without the use of auxiliary tools.

The advantageous embodiment according to claim 20 enables the information stored in the welding torch or in the coupling part of the connecting hose package to be recorded immediately after the coupling parts of the coupling device have been connected.

However, independently of this, the object of the invention is also achieved by a method according to the features specified in claim 21.

The advantages resulting from the combinations of features of this claim are that manual adjustment or correction activities are superfluous and operation of the welding device or welding unit with components that are not matched to one another or that do not match can be almost ruled out. This also minimizes system failures and productivity and quality can be kept at a high level in the long term.

Furthermore, a procedure according to the features specified in claim 22 is advantageous, since the peripheral components of the welding unit or the welding device are checked automatically, and thereby the respective torch

AT 407 019 B is automatically recognized and the corresponding measures can be initiated or taken automatically.

Another advantageous procedure is described in claim 23, whereby on the one hand an optimal coordination of the peripheral components with the welding device or with the industrial welding unit takes place and on the other hand optimal results can be achieved by announcing the most favorable working points.

With the advantageous variant of the method according to claim 24, the amount of data to be transmitted can be significantly reduced and the query process can be simplified.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

Show it:

1 shows a structure of a welding device in a simplified, schematic representation;

2 shows a welding torch designed for the largely automated detection of the characteristic values ​​or the type in connection with a corresponding hose package to form a welding device in a greatly simplified, schematic representation;

3 shows another embodiment for hose package or welding torch detection in a greatly simplified, schematic representation:

4 shows a further embodiment for the detection of hose package or welding torch data in the area of ​​the connection interface between the welding unit and the hose package in a greatly simplified, schematic representation:

5 shows an industrial automatic production machine with the means for the automated acquisition of welding torch or hose package data in a greatly simplified, schematic representation.

By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals or the same component designations, it being possible for the disclosures contained in the entire description to be transferred accordingly to the same parts with the same reference numerals or the same component designations. The location details chosen in the description, such as above, below, to the side, etc. based on the figure immediately described and shown and are to be transferred accordingly to the new position in the event of a change in position. Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described can also represent independent, inventive or inventive solutions.

1 shows a welding device 1 for a wide variety of welding processes, such as, for example, MIG / MAG welding or TIG welding.

The welding device 1 comprises a power source 2 with a power part 3, a control device 4 and a switching element 5 assigned to the power part 3 or the control device 4 a gas 8, in particular a protective gas such as CO₂, Helium or argon and the like., Is arranged between a gas reservoir 9 and a welding torch 10.

In addition, a wire feeder 11, as is customary for MIG / MAG welding, can also be controlled via the control device 4, with a welding wire 13 being fed from a supply drum 14 into the area of ​​the welding torch 10 via a supply line 12. The current for setting up an arc 15 between the welding wire 13 and a workpiece 16 is supplied via a supply line 17 from the power unit 3 of the current source 2 to the welding torch 10 or fed to the welding wire 13.

To cool the welding torch 10, the welding torch 10 can be connected to a water tank 20 via a cooling circuit 18 with the interposition of a flow monitor 19, whereby the cooling circuit 18 is started by the control device 4 when the welding torch 10 is started up, thus cooling the welding torch 10 or of the welding wire 13 is achieved.

Furthermore, the welding device 1 has an input and / or display device 21 via which the most varied of welding parameters or operating modes of the welding device 1 are set

AT 407 019 B can be. The welding parameters set via the input and / or display device 21 are forwarded to the control device 4 and the individual components of the welding device 1 are then controlled by this.

The welding torch 10 also has an input device 22 and / or a display device 23. Via the input device 22 or via the display device 23, the user can read the set welding parameters via the display device 23 before executing a welding process or influence or influence the individual welding parameters via the input device 22, which is formed for example by individual buttons or the like. change, whereby an optimal adaptation of the parameters to the intended welding process via the welding torch 10 can be carried out. It is of course possible that the user can change the set welding parameters during the welding activity via the input device 22, so that an optimal adaptation of the welding process can be achieved at any time.

Of course, it is possible that, in contrast to the illustrated embodiment, the individual lines between the various components of the welding device 1 and the welding torch 10 are combined to form a common unit and, if necessary, can be connected to the welding device 1 and / or to the welding torch 10. In addition, it is possible that the individual components of the welding device 1, in particular the wire feed device 11 and the power source 2, are combined with the other components of the welding device 1 to form a compact structural unit.

The design according to the invention is not limited to the welding device 1 shown in FIG. 1 for use in small and medium-sized businesses or to the do-it-yourself sector can be used in robot welding systems.

2 shows a variant of a welding torch 10 according to the invention or a welding system designed according to the invention with a hose package 24 connected to it for connection to the welding device 1 or for connection to a remote welding power source to which a corresponding control device 4 is assigned, on an enlarged scale shown in greatly simplified form.

The hose package 24 can be connected via a coupling device 25 to the welding device 1 via its connection interface 26, at least in the end area facing away from the welding torch 10.

If necessary, a coupling device 27 can also be provided for the detachable connection between the hose package 24 and the welding torch 10.

A plurality of lines 28, 29 are arranged in the hose package 24 and combined to form a structural unit. The lines 28, 29 of the hose package 24 are used to transfer operating resources and / or to transfer operating states. The hose package 24 comprises at least the supply line 17 for the welding current, a wire guide line 30 for the welding wire 13 and a gas line.

Depending on the design of the welding device 1, or preferably in the case of an industrial welding device, additional lines 28, 29, such as coolant supply and / or coolant return lines 31, can be arranged in the hose package 24 or in at least one further hose package 24 to form the cooling circuit 18 . Furthermore, at least one of the hose packages 24 can comprise at least one control line 32 for transmitting welding process data and / or control and / or setting data.

The control line 32, which preferably has a plurality of individual lines, serves in particular to transmit control information from the welding torch 10 to the control device 4 of the welding device 1 or of the industrial welding unit. The information or data can also be transmitted from the welding device 1 or welding unit to the welding torch 10.

In particular in the case of a manually operated welding torch 10, the control lines 32 in the hose package 24 also serve to forward the control commands given by the operator via a switching means 33, in particular via a button.

Mostly in industrial welding units, there are several control lines

AT 407 01 9 B

Bus system 34 for the transmission of data between the welding torch 10 and the welding device 1 or the industrial welding device. The bus system 34 can be formed by conventional field bus systems 35 that have proven themselves in welding technology.

The field bus system 35 can also serve to transfer the data between the input device 22 and / or the display device 23 on the welding torch 10 and the control device 4 of the welding device 1 or the industrial welding unit.

Independently of this, the welding torch 10 or the hose package 24 connected to it is assigned an active and / or passive component 38 with information or data

The component 38 is designed to define the design and / or the structure of the welding torch 10 or the hose package 24 and can be formed by any active and / or passive storage elements 39. For example, it is possible to form the component 38 or memory element 39 by mechanical identification parts, such as, for example, perforated or recessed elements, which can be scanned by means of optical or mechanical scanning devices.

Likewise, the components 38 or memory elements 39 for the information about the welding torch 10 or the hose package 24 can be formed by at least one electrical resistor or by a resistor arrangement with several, preferably adjustable, ohmic resistors which, via the respective settings, the properties or represent the behavior of the welding torch 10 and / or the hose package 24. In addition, the component 38 or memory element 39 characterizing the welding torch 10 and / or the hose package 24 can be formed by a plurality of switching contacts, in particular in the manner of a DIP switch.

The storage of the data describing the welding torch 10 and / or the hose package 24 in the memory element 39 or the corresponding setting of the component 38 is preferably carried out by the manufacturer. Changing the factory settings is preferably not possible.

Further passive components 38 or storage elements 39 can be implemented in the form of different projections on the coupling device 25 to the welding device 1 or to the welding unit, which can interact with corresponding switching contacts. Depending on the arrangement or position of these projections, certain identification features can then be defined, to which certain information is assigned. These projections in the area of ​​the coupling device 25 between the hose package 24 and the welding device 1 can then interact with a contact block or with several switching devices that are adjusted as a function of the projections and thus provide the corresponding information about the welding torch 10 or the hose package 24 Welding device 1 are available.

Integrated circuits, in particular memory modules 40, are conceivable as the active component 38 or memory element 39, which - if the memory module 40 is arranged in the welding torch 10 - are connected to the control device 4 via the control lines 32 or via the field bus system 35. The control device 4 is then designed to read out the data stored in the memory modules 40.

As an alternative or in addition to the electrical control lines 32, it is also possible to provide optical control lines 32, in particular in the form of optical waveguides, for the transmission of optical signals in the hose package 24. The high level of immunity to electromagnetic interference is particularly advantageous.

It is also possible to arrange the previously explained storage elements 39 in the area of ​​the end area of ​​the hose assembly facing away from the welding torch 10 and to form a contact connection with the control device 4 directly in the area of ​​the connection interface 26 to the welding device 1.

The control device 4 or a higher-level manufacturing facility of an industrial

The welding unit then takes over the evaluation and further processing of the data contained in the active and / or passive components or storage elements 38, 39 or the data contained by them

Elements specified information about the hose package 24 or about the welding torch

10.

AT 407 019 B

In addition, it is advantageously possible to provide a machine-readable identifier, for example in the form of bar codes, on the welding torch 10 and / or on the hose package 24. This machine-readable identifier can be fed to the control device 4 for further processing via a suitable reading device, for example in the form of a scanning device.

In addition, such an identifier can also be written as plain text, for example in the form of numbers and / or letters, and attached to the welding torch 10 or the hose package 24. This identifier, which can be read by a user or by the service personnel, pertains to the burner 10 or The hose package 24 can then be fed to the control device 4 via the input device 22 on the welding torch 10 or on the welding device 1 during initial start-up or after the components have been replaced, and can be used by the control device 4 to adapt the welding process settings.This manual configuration can preferably be stored permanently and is therefore only when the welding torch 10 and / or the hose package 24 is replaced for the first time or when the welding torch is replaced necessary.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment for the automated detection of a welding torch 10 or connecting hose package 24 that can be connected to a power source 2 or to an industrial welding unit

In this case, in the area of ​​the connection interface 26 between the hose package 24 and the power source 2 or the welding device 1 or an industrial welding unit, an active component 38 is assigned to the hose package 24 or is integrated therein. The active component 38 or memory element 39 is in this case formed by a transponder 41 which is assigned to the coupling parts of the coupling device 25 on the hose package side. In particular, at least one transponder 41 is integrated in the hose package-side coupling part of the hose package 24 or can be pushed into this coupling part.

The transponder 41 or the other storage elements 38 have, for example, information or Data about the torch length, about the cable cross-section of the supply line 17 for the welding current, about any input and / or display device that may be present, about the power limits, in particular about the maximum current intensity, about a duty cycle, about any sensors that may be present in the area of ​​the torch, about the Software version, the type of connection, the type of cooling, in particular gas or water cooling, stored via the corresponding connection block on the welding device or on the welding unit, via a possible pipe bend on the welding torch 10, via the contact socket or gas nozzle and / or via additional wire feed devices in the area of ​​the welding torch 10. All of this data or information is permanently stored in the active memory element 39 or in the transponder 41 and can be read out via a reading device 42 assigned to the transponder 41, in particular in the form of a reading coil 43. For this purpose, the reading coil 43 of the reading device 42 transmits an electromagnetic alternating field, which is received by the transponder 41 type of transponder 41 which operates as a battery-free transmitting and / or receiving unit. The electrical voltage induced in the transponder 41 serves to supply the electrical components of the transponder 41, whereupon the respective data or information can be transmitted and can be received by the reading device 42. The data received by the reading device 42 via the welding torch 10 or via the hose package 24 can then be transmitted via at least one data line 44 to the control device 4 for further processing and evaluation. The reading device 42 is arranged in the area of ​​the coupling part provided for connection to the hose package 24 on the welding device 1 or on the industrial welding unit.

The coupling device 25 is formed by a plug-in and / or screw coupling which has a coupling part assigned to the welding device 1 or welding unit and a further coupling part assigned to the hose package 24 and corresponding to the first coupling part. The coupling device 25 ensures a proper connection of the individual lines 28, 29 to the welding device 1 or to the welding unit. In particular, the connection interface 26 is designed such that a secure electrical and gas-tight connection can be established.

The control device 4 can then, depending on the data via the welding torch 10 or via the hose package 24, the components of the welding device 1 or the industrial

AT 407 019 B

Activate the welding unit accordingly or select adapted control algorithms, so that optimal welding results are continuously achieved and an incorrect assembly, which can lead to considerable damage, is avoided from the outset.

In Fig. 4 a further embodiment for a welding torch detection or for the detection of a connecting hose package is shown schematically.

In this case, the component 38 or memory element 39 provided for storing information is arranged directly at the connection interface 26 between the welding device 1 or the welding unit and the hose package 24.

The storage element 39 is formed by an ohmic resistor 45. The ohmic resistor 45 can be designed as a fixed resistor, potentiometer, trimmer or other resistance track and is always arranged on the hose package side. The value of at least one electrical resistor 45 in the area of ​​the connection interface 26 of the coupling device 25 describes the structure and / or the configuration or the relevant technical data of the welding torch 10 or of the hose package 24. The respective data or information about the hose package 24 or the welding torch 10 can be recorded or defined via different values ​​of the ohmic resistors 45 arranged on the immersion package 24. The valence of the electrical resistor 45 is then determined and processed by the control device 4 via at least one scanning line 46.

Different resistance values ​​are assigned different technical data so that a large number of data and information can be clearly identified. Likewise, a specific resistance value can define an abundance of individual parameters with a large number of individual values, provided that these are stored in a data record-like memory device 47 assigned to the control device 4. The ohmic resistance 45 resp. another passive component 38 thus represents an identifier for which a large number of information or data can be defined and retrieved.

Preferably, the resistor 45 or each individual electrical resistor 45 is assigned an electrical supply line and an electrical return line, so that each electrical resistor 45 arranged on the welding torch side can be selectively detected by the power source 2 or the control device 4 assigned to it and thus to the respective Properties or data of the welding torch 10 and / or of the hose package 24 conclusion can be drawn. Each electrical resistor 45 can therefore be connected to a supply line for electrical energy on the welding current source side and to a return line on the welding current source side when the welding torch 10 or the hose package 24 is connected to the welding current source 2 or to the welding device 1. Preference is given to using the welding torch 10 or The resistor 45 assigned to the welding torch-side coupling part is a closed circuit with the control device 4 of the power source 2, the control device 4 serving as a voltage source for the resistor 45.

These different identifiers implemented by passive components 38 can therefore have a number of parameters, such as, for. B. Specify the diameter of the contact socket used, the wire cross-section, the electrical welding torch resistance, the lead length and the like. On the basis of the torch data recorded in this way, the control device 4 can automatically adjust or correct the welding process settings.

Independently of this, it is also possible to form the passive component 38 by magnetic storage elements 39, in particular by magnetic strips and / or by optical storage elements, in particular by light reflection elements or by perforated masks. In the case of a magnetic storage element 39, in particular a magnetic strip on the hose package 24, the associated reading device 42 is formed by a corresponding magnetic strip reading head in the area of ​​the connection interface 26.

As an alternative to this, it is also possible to use the welding device 1 or the industrial

Welding current source to provide a switching device, via its changeable by the user

Switching positions an adaptation of the welding device to the intended use

Welding torch or hose package type is enabled.

This switching device can also be used in accordance with the readable burner or

AT 407 019 B

Be designed hose package identifier adjustable control connector.

In addition to the detection of the corresponding torch identification or hose package identification, the detachable connection of the operating medium lines of the welding device 1 is also provided in the area of ​​the connection interface 26.

5 shows an industrial production device 48, in particular a welding robot 49, which has a welding torch or hose package recognition in the area of ​​the welding torch 10.

The component 38 functioning as an identifier or the memory element 39 is assigned to the welding torch 10 and can contain data relating to the structure or other technical data of the welding torch 10 and / or relating to the hose package 24 connected to it.

In particular, the storage element 39 is arranged in the area of ​​the coupling device 27 between the welding torch 10 and a hose package 24 that can be connected to it.

The memory element 39 is formed by integrated circuits, in particular by a semiconductor memory element; in particular, the arrangement of a semiconductor chip provided with large-area contact points is possible in a manner similar to the semiconductor chips on chip cards. The contact surfaces of this semiconductor chip are then removed when the welding torch 10 or when connecting the hose package 24 contacted, whereby the electrical connections to the control device 4 are made. This electrical contact can take place automatically when the coupling device 27 is closed or locked. Spring-loaded contact tongues or contact pins, which produce a reliable electrical connection, can be used as contacting means for the semiconductor chip on the welding torch 10 or on the hose package 24.

A wire conveyor device 50 is also assigned to the welding torch 10 of the welding robot 49. This wire conveying device 50 can be used as an additional or also as a single conveying means for the welding wire 13. The technical data of this wire feed device 50 or the so-called Pullmig drive are also stored in the memory element 39 on the welding torch 10 and can be read out by the control device 4. The technical resp. Electrical data of the wire feed device 50 or the Pullmig drive can be used by the control device 4 for synchronization with the further wire feed device (not shown). Thus, a manual adjustment of voltage or Current-regulated push-pull motors of the wire conveyor device 50 are unnecessary, since the respective characteristic values ​​are stored in the memory element 39 of the welding torch 10 and can be taken into account accordingly. A manual comparison of push-pull motors and intermediate drive systems is also unnecessary, since the individual characteristic curves, for example motor characteristic curves, can be stored in the memory element 39.

Each individual welding torch 10 or each individual hose package 24 has individual data which exactly describe the technical properties present. As a result, tolerances of the welding torch 10 or of the hose assembly 24 have no influence whatsoever on the welding quality, since the exact characteristic values ​​of the individual components of the control device 4 are known and can be taken into account accordingly for compensation.

By storing the torch data on a digital memory element 39 or memory module 40 in the welding torch 10 or in the hose package 24 and by transmitting them via a field bus system 35 to the welding unit or to the control device 4 of the power source 2, targeted monitoring, correction and control functions can be implemented will. In the case of welding torches 10 for welding robots 49, it is also possible to use the component 38 as a storage medium for an identifier and, in accordance with the identifier in the storage device 47 of the control device 4, to call up and use the respective table with the characteristic values ​​of the hose package 24 or the welding torch 10.

In addition, in the memory element 39 - or in the case of the type identification of the

Hose package 24 or the welding torch 10 in the storage device 47 of

Control device 4 - characteristic values ​​for controlling a cooling device 51 for the welding torch or for the hose package 24 can be specified. In particular, the required

Cooling capacity, the follow-up time of the cooling circuit 18, information about the cooling stop at

AT 407 01 9 B gas-cooled welding torches 10 and characteristic values ​​of the coolant pump can be stored in the storage element 39 of the welding torch 10 or in the storage device 47 of the control device 4.

The design according to the invention is not limited to a welding device with only one welding torch 10 or only one hose package 24. Rather, especially in industrial welding devices, a plurality of welding torches 10 and / or hose assemblies 24 can be used, which have the respective characterizing identifiers that can be read out or detected by the higher-level control device 4.

The design according to the invention can also be used for hose packages 24 between other components of a welding system. It is thus possible, for example, to use the hose package recognition described for connecting hose packages between the gas reservoir and / or the wire feeder and / or the power source.

The designs according to the invention are not limited to a welding device 1 for welding metallic workpieces, but rather can also be used with cutting devices, in particular with plasma cutting devices or with cutting torches connected to them.

For the sake of clarity, it should finally be pointed out that, for a better understanding of the system according to the invention, its components have been shown partially not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced.

The task on which the independent inventive solutions are based can be found in the description.

Above all, the individual in FIGS. 1; 2; 3; 4; 5 embodiments shown form the subject of independent solutions according to the invention. The related tasks and solutions according to the invention can be found in the detailed descriptions of these figures.