In addition to the well-known services rendered by SLV Duisburg in the areas of training, materials engineering and quality assurance, SLV Duisburg is opening up a special field of services to an increasing extent: conducting investigations into the usability of newly developed welding installations and components. This begins with the investigation of smaller components such as contact nozzles for GMA welding, TIG electrodes made of new materials and special electrode materials for resistance spot welding, is followed by tests on workpiece clamps for fusion welding as well as tests on resistance transformers and extends as far as the test on complete welding installations.
The test procedure in question is either oriented to relevant standards and sets of rules or specifications or it is stipulated by SLV Duisburg in dialogue with the customer. In all cases, the priority objectives are the orientation to practice and the comparability of the test results. Only in this way can tests be repeated even after many years and the results compared with preceding tests.
The approval investigation on a repair welding installation for resistance spot welding was concluded recently. These devices are utilised in motor vehicle repair garages not only for spot welding and resistance stud welding but also for removing dents and carrying out heating and straightening operations.
Today, the automobile manufacturers are demanding compliance with specifications for the approval. This must be proven by the installation manufacturer with the incorporation of a competent test laboratory. Initial specifications which apply to the Volkswagen group today were elaborated by SLV Duisburg with AUDI AG about ten years ago. In the case of these specifications, particular significance is attached to the relevance of the requirements to practice. SLV Duisburg's know-how on the subjects of "intelligent control", "higher-strength steels" and "three-sheet joints" was utilised in this respect. Therefore, it was possible to stipulate sensible test steps and suitable possibilities for the reproducible simulation of disturbing variables.
Over the years, the requirements, and thus the specifications as well, have been adapted to the more stringent requirements of modern bodymaking. For example, it is today being demanded of the repair installations that they make the required settings automatically. This should even be the case if certain disturbing variables exert effects on the welding.
SLV Duisburg has already introduced the results of the investigations to AUDI AG. They are being rated positively not only by the automobile manufacturers but also by the installation manufacturers.
Further information about the results and about other ongoing tests can be provided by your contact: Dipl.-Ing. Stefan Schreiber