Automated tungsten electrode exchange system ABITIG® TEX
TIG robot welding becomes faster, more reliable, and safer with this automated tungsten electrode exchange system. Increase your plant availability and the weld quality of your high-quality products now.
Advantages of the electrode exchange system ABITIG® TEX
You manufacture in a field where the entire handling of materials is highly specialized. Joining such high-quality components demands precision, and the welding result must meet strict regulations regarding safety and appearance. With the automated ABITIG® TEX electrode exchange system from ABICOR BINZEL – used in combination with a robotic torch from the ABITIG® W CT series – high-quality, repeatable weld seams are guaranteed. With 100 % automation.
The advantages to the point:
- Exchanges TIG electrodes within 45 seconds automatically, reliably and safely
- Guaranteed repeatable tungsten electrode exchange process
- Keeps the highest level of quality in production
- Can be easily integrated into the production process
- Suitable for TIG electrodes from 2.4 mm to 4.0 mm in diameter
- Provides space for 30 tungsten electrodes for automated electrode exchange
- Fast ROI
A key advantage is that you no longer need to manually intervene in the system to change electrodes. For example, if your consumption is 20 electrodes per shift, you not only save yourself 20 interventions in the robotic welding system, but you also prevent errors that can occur when manually changing the new TIG electrode, such as clamping the electrode too loosely or too tightly, or inconsistent electrode stick-out.
ABITIG® TEX function
The welding robot is pre-programmed with the electrode exchange times. As soon as the TIG electrode needs to be changed, the ABITIG® W CT robot torch moves to the automated tungsten electrode exchange system and first places the old tungsten electrode in the corresponding clamp. The robot torch is then positioned at the electrode position of the changing unit, and the new welding electrode is fed into the torch. A contact point ensures that the electrode is set to the correct stick-out and automatically clamped.
In this way, the TIG electrode can be replaced within seconds without manual intervention. The system is immediately ready for use again.
Areas of application
Combined with a torch from the ABITIG® W CT series, the ABITIG® TEX automated tungsten electrode changing system is ideal for use in the following industries:
Food industry: stainless steel tanks, containers and pipes
Vehicle construction, vehicle technology
Railway vehicle construction
Heating systems
Aerospace vehicle construction
| Weight (without foot) | 8.5 kg (18.7 lbs) |
| Nominal voltage | 24 V DC |
| Operating pressure | 6 bar (87 psi) |
| Diameter compressed air hose | 6 mm (1/4“) |
| Dimensions (incl. base) | 1,065 mm x 250 mm x 250 mm |
| Noise level (LpA) | 70 dB (A) |
Tungsten electrodes
| Diameter | 2.4 mm / 3.2 mm / 4.0 mm |
| Maximum length | 175 mm |
| Minimum length | 90 mm |
Control unit i/O
| Required outputs | 3 |
| Required inputs | 1 |
How do you know when a TIG electrode is worn out?
During welding, you can determine that a TIG electrode is worn out when the arc no longer ignites properly and when the arc is unstable. Visually, discoloration and a damaged electrode tip indicate electrode wear.
When do I need to exchange a TIG electrode?
As soon as the electrode tip is damaged or has inclusions, the tungsten electrode loses its process stability and must be replaced. Contaminants can also form through contact with the weld pool.
Can used tungsten electrodes be reused after automated exchange?
Used tungsten electrodes can be reconditioned for reuse by proper grinding. Before the tungsten electrodes become too short from repeated grinding to be reliably dispensed by the ABITIG® TEX tungsten electrode exchange system, they must be replaced with new tungsten electrodes. For this system, the tungsten electrodes must have a minimum length of 90 mm and a maximum length of 175 mm.
What do you need to consider when changing a TIG electrode?
Firstly, the welding electrode must not be clamped too tightly, but also not too loosely. Secondly, you must ensure that the stick-out of the TIG electrode is always consistent to guarantee a high-quality weld.