Author : K. Srinivasulu Reddy

In this paper an attempt is made to design and develop multi pin welding fixture for electron beam welding machine. Welding fixtures hold components of a sub assembly for the purpose of welding them together. To join them successfully, each component must be positioned and held firmly in place during the weld process and this must be done, reliably, again and again. The fixture is capable of supporting ten tubes to be welded in one vacuum. The fixture contains a machine block to which bearings are attached. It also contains sun gear and ten planetary gears which are made up of stainless steel and non-magnetic which prevent the deflection of electrons. The fixture is made of aluminum because of its light weight. Whenever the central gear rotates the planetary gears rotate and due to this the shaft in the planetary gear rotates which rotates the tube present in the shaft so that the welding takes place. Tubes are gripped inside the gear with the help of stainless steel grub screws. Likewise, all the tubes are welded accordingly. Indexing during welding is done by main chuck. This multi pin welding fixture helps in increasing production and helps in reducing time required in repeated vacuum cycles.

Keywords: Electron beam welding, welding fixture, indexing

Article published in International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.6, No.4 (Aug-2016)