Resistance spot welding equipment controller - Beijer iX T7B Softmotion based weld equipment controller

Abstract: The goal of the project is to evaluate a new setup for the company Iberobot Svenska AB, using HMI and PLC, for resistance spot welding equipment controller. The purpose of the controller is to control the weld process; weld power and time. One of the question raised is if this setup could be used as an RWE controller and thereby be able to re-place an old proprietary controller called TEC6000. A prototype is built compatible with current single phase RWE and literature study is conducted to answer this question.  The new setup is based on Beijer iX T7B Softmotion which includes an HMI and a PLC with EtherCAT support. EtherCAT input and output modules from Beckhoff are chosen because they can handle the speed required by the weld process. The controller is implemented using theory for RMS value, timing diagram and state diagram based on weld process. The prototype is revised three times. A zero crossing detector is implemented. A control element driver using opto-triac is implemented. Measurements using oscillo-scope are conducted which shows that the controller is able to start a weld, but zero crossing detection is unstable and further research into this and current regulation is needed before an end user product can be made.