Tool dressing apparatus and method

Abstract

A tool is provided for dressing the worn or damaged tip of a welding electrode tip. Electrode tips are typically nominally frusto-conical, and have a pre-determined design taper. The dressing tool has a body. The body has a bore formed to receive the frusto-conical electrode tip. When so received, the body is rotated about the tip. The bore has a dressing member for engagement with the frusto-conical member, the two parts having corresponding design tapers. The body has a torque input interface by which, in use, the tool may be turned by an input torque to cause said tool to turn about the electrode tip, and in so doing to cause said dressing member to hone the tip. The dressing member includes a region of abrasive grit. Different grades of grit may be used. The tool may have an opposed socket suitable for seating on the opposed electrode tip, thereby centering the device automatically and correctly. The tool may be in either male or female form. The handle used to turn the tool may carry information.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A tool for dressing a nominally frusto-conical member, the frusto-conical member having a pre-determined design taper, wherein:
 said dressing tool has a body, said body having a bore, said bore being formed to receive said frusto-conical member therewithin and to permit rotation of said body about the frusto-conical member when so mounted;   said bore having a dressing member for engagement with the frusto-conical member, said dressing member having a taper angle corresponding to said design taper of said frusto-conical member;   said body having a torque input interface by which, in use, said tool may receive an input torque to cause said tool to turn about the frusto-conical member, and in so doing to cause said dressing member to hone the frusto-conical member; and   said dressing member includes a region of abrasive grit.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1  and further comprising an handle having a seat for receiving said body, said handle having a torque transmission member that, when assembled, engages said torque input interface of said body of said tool and permits a person grasping said handle to cause said body to turn. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 2  wherein said handle has the form of a spider; said spider having an interior portion defining said seat; at least one web portion extending away from said seat in a direction having a component tending radially away from said seat; and said spider having an exterior portion most radially distant from said seat and extending predominantly peripherally relative thereto, said exterior portion defining a grip by which to grasp said spider and turn said tool about the frusto-conical member. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein said abrasive grit is one of:
 (a) a sintered powder comprising said abrasive grit; and 
 (b) a coating of said abrasive grit deposited on an interior wall of said bore. 
 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein said tool has an exterior wall, and said exterior wall includes a flat portion. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein said tool has an exterior wall, and said exterior wall has an at least partially crenelated portion. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 6  wherein said tool is encapsulated in a moulded carrier. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 2  wherein said seat is a first seat, said tool has a second seat, said second seat being formed to engage another member located co-axially relative to the frusto-conical member to be honed, said first and second seats being on opposite sides of said tool. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 8  wherein said second seat has a bearing mounted therein to facilitate rotation of said tool relative to the co-axial other member. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 8  and further comprising an handle having a seat for receiving said body, said handle having a torque transmission member that, when assembled, engages said torque input interface of said body of said tool and permits a person grasping said handle to cause said body to turn. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 10  wherein said handle has the form of a spider; said spider having an interior portion defining said seat; at least one web portion extending away from said seat in a direction having a component tending radially away from said seat; and said spider having an exterior portion most radially distant from said seat and extending predominantly peripherally relative thereto, said exterior portion defining a grip by which to grasp said spider and turn said tool about the frusto-conical member. 
     
     
         12 . A method of dressing a welding electrode member using a tool for dressing a nominally frusto-conical member of the welding electrode, the frusto-conical member having a pre-determined design taper, the dressing tool having a body having a bore formed to receive the frusto-conical member therewithin and to permit rotation of said body about the frusto-conical member when so mounted, the bore having a region of abrasive grit, the bore having a taper angle corresponding to the design taper of said frusto-conical member, the welding electrode member having a tapered tip defining the frusto-conical member, wherein the method includes:
 establishing the electrode in an open condition relative to an opposite, mating, electrode;   removing an existing welding cap from the electrode tip to expose the frusto-conical member;   seating the tool on the exposed frusto-conical member; and   rotating the tool about the frusto-conical member, thereby honing the frusto-conical member.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein, after the step of seating and before the step of rotating said method further includes the step of closing the electrode relative to the opposite, mating, electrode. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the tool has a second seat, and the step of closing includes seating the opposite electrode in the second seat whereby the tool is stabilised relative to the axis of the frusto-conical electrode member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said method includes removing the tool, reversing the tool and honing a corresponding frusto-conical member of the opposite electrode as well. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said method includes removing the tool, reversing the tool and honing a corresponding frusto-conical member of the opposite electrode as well. 
     
     
         17 . A tool for dressing a nominally frusto-conical member, the frusto-conical member having a pre-determined design taper, wherein:
 said dressing tool has a body, one of   (a) where the frusto-conical member is a male part, an accommodation, said accommodation being formed to receive said male frusto-conical member therewithin and to permit rotation of said body about the frusto-conical member when so received, said accommodation having a dressing member for engagement with the frusto-conical member, said dressing member having a taper angle corresponding to said design taper of said frusto-conical member;   (b) where the frusto-conical member is a female part, a protrusion, said protrusion being formed to engage the female frusto-conical member therewithin and to permit rotation of said protrusion within the female frusto-conical member when so received, said protrusion having a dressing member for engagement with the frusto-conical member, said dressing member having a taper angle corresponding to said design taper of the female frusto-conical member;   said body having a torque input interface by which, in use, said tool may receive an input torque to cause said tool to turn relative to the frusto-conical member, and in so doing to cause said dressing member to hone the frusto-conical member; and   said dressing member includes a region of abrasive grit.