| Application:
Fabrication of the outer panels for the International Space Station.
Material:
Aluminum Alloy.
Process:
Variable Polarity Plasma Arc Welding.
Capacity:
Welds up to 10 ft (3 m) long.
Part diameter of 14 ft (4.25 m).
Material thickness up to 1/2" (12.5 mm).
Description:
This is a unique system and was designed specifically for the welding together of the panels which from the outer hull of the International Space Station. The system consists of two parts which work together to achieve perfect welds and close tolerance dimensions.
The vertical seamwelder is based upon a standard Jetline seamwelder design. It has a tabletop with stainless steel clamping fingers and an ultra-precision track. The whole of this assembly rides on a base and can be moved in and out to provide clearance for the moving of the parts being welded.
A carriage rides on the vertical track. A precision motor rotates a ballscrew to impart steady, accurate vertical travel of the VPPA welding head.
The second, major part of the system is a rotating fixture. This is designed to locate and hold the stretched formed panels relative to the seamwelder. The fixture is power-rotated and can be adjusted for different part lengths. To ensure that the joints are perfect, the welding edges are machined on the fixture. The fixture is also used as an inspection fixture when the complete cylinder has been completed.
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