Recent improvements of the Kloften & Kloften

Strip Splicer

November 15, 1998

Issue No.15

1. Further Improvements of the Dual Carrier Splicer.

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By combining the “Wide Strip Splicer” principle with that of the Dual Carrier splicer of “Recent Improvements” No. 14, the splicing procedure will be as follows:

o After closing the two jaw sets, the upper electrode is lowered onto the rear carrier and a first current pulse starts the soldering, causing the solder wire to burn free and retract.

o The upper electrode holder (with an electrode which contacts the carrier with a curved surface) moves forward in steps, with a current pulse applied at each step.

o Once a programmed number of steps (depending on carrier width) have been executed, the electrode is raised and the holder moves forward until it reaches the front edge of the front carrier, where it is again lowered.

o The pulsing procedure is repeated, but now with the electrode holder moving towards the rear.

o After the last pulse, the jaws may be opened. The electrode holder moves to the starting position.

2. Splicer for Stainless Steel and Beryllium Copper.

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By leaving the silver solder out, and adjusting the carriers for a slight overlap (instead of a gap), the above splicer may be transformed to a “Seam Welder” suitable for carriers of stainless steel and Beryllium Copper which both would require a flux if spliced with solder.

This welding method has the following advantages over a “one shot” method:

o It is easier to maintain good control of the lead (progression).

o The protrusion is very small.

o Less current and less pressure are required.

The splicer could even be supplied as a combination Silver Soldering / Welding machine. A flip of a switch would transform it from one to the other. Another switch may transform it from a dual carrier to a single carrier splicer. A number of such splicers for a strip width of 123 mm has already been sold.

The United State’s Patent Office has now granted a patent which covers an automatic version of the Kloften & Kloften Strip Splicer. The splicer was developed in cooperation with Tronrud Engineering, a company specializing in automation.

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