Welding Safety

Safety in resistance welders has become a primary focus in the last 10-20 years. Because of the inherent pinch-point between the electrodes, numerous solutions have been developed (some with varying degrees of success). Below we list some of the most common.

Unitrol Soft Touch Safety Device

The Unitrol SoftTouch has been available for many years. It is only recently that it is available as a stand-alone system. That means you don’t need a Unitrol weld control to install the SoftTouch Control.

This system Protects against pinch-point injuries with a passive system. It does not need to be adjusted with every new welding setup (like some systems require). It installs on any type of spot welder.

It works by keeping the electrode force low (below 50lbsf) until it is safe to apply full welding force.

With certain types of weld nuts, the Soft-Touch system can even double as a weld nut Verification System (Nut Verification System [NVS]).

This passive redundant system has been accepted by OSHA in manufacturing plants nationwide.

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HOW IT WORKS: After initiation, electrodes start to close under LOW FORCE. A UNITROL TOUCH SENSOR system decides when the electrodes have closed on or near the metal being welded. If an obstruction is detected prior to closing, the electrodes will go back to the fully opened position.

No adjustment of SOFT TOUCH is needed when changing welding force or electrode spacing. The system is field adjusted (lockable settings) so that force between electrodes for the advance portion of the stroke remains low enough to avoid major injury to the operator’s fingers. For press welders, this will even reduce force between electrodes to considerably less than the dead weight of the ram.

FAIL SAFE SYSTEMS: If the sensor switch is already closed when the welder is being initiated, the electrode will not even start to move, and the display will show which sensor input is closed at that time.
If the sensor wires from the SOFT TOUCH system have become disconnected or are making poor contact, the electrodes will close under low force and then return after a short field-settable delay (1-99 cycles).

WHAT HARDWARE IS NEEDED: To make this system operate, you will have to add a 5-way externally piloted solenoid valve, a shuttle valve, and a precision pressure regulator system to an existing 4-way externally piloted (or direct acting) solenoid valve. Unitrol offers three kits for easy installation:

HEAVY WEIGHT RAMS: This #9181-34W kit is used on: PRESS WELDERS that have dead weight (with air disconnected from welder) of over 50 pounds. The kit is factory pre-plumbed for fast installation and includes all necessary components and interconnecting tubing.
LIGHT WEIGHT RAMS: This #9181-34Y kit is used on:
- PRESS WELDERS that have dead weight (with air disconnected from welder) that is less than 50 pounds, or does not drop by it’s own weight.
- ROCKER ARM WELDERS The kit is factory pre-plumbed for fast installation and includes all necessary components and interconnecting tubing.
LIGHT WEIGHT GRAVITY-DROP RAMS: This #9181-34H kit is used on:
- PRESS WELDERS that have dead weight (with air disconnected from welder) of less than 50 pounds and drops smoothly by gravity. The kit is factory pre-plumbed for fast installation and includes all necessary components and interconnecting tubing.

REDUNDANT SENSOR: You can also add your own proximity switch or LVD system adjusted to close a switch when the electrodes are less than ¼” apart to the system. The SOLUTION will not turn on the high-pressure valve until both metal is detected and the proximity switch has been closed. This is often useful for applications where the parts being welded are not flat prior to the welding process.

Easier Setup:

No User Calibration, EVER. Just install and turn power ON.
Universal: Works with Non-Unitrol MFDC inverter and 1 Phase AC controls. Change two plug-in relays for use with 115VAC or 24VDC solenoid valve voltage.
Always Ready to Protect: Does not have to be calibrated even when you power-up, change material or change tooling.
Instantly Tunes to Your Welder: Does not stop production to recalibrate. Automatically compensates for changes in transformer tap switch position or line voltage shifts.
New Look: Easy-to-Read Operation Display. Shows exactly what is happening. Can be mounted on either side of enclosure.
Supports SOFT TOUCH RETRACT: Just add optional RETRACT pneumatic system with HEAD DOWN limit switch for full protection.
Full Electrical Redundancy: All inputs and outputs require closure of both electro-mechanical and solid-state redundant components for full safe operation. Self-monitors output relay to prevent any operation if a fault is detected.

As Always, The UNITROL SOFT TOUCH:

Cannot Be Bypassed.
Sensor Wires Always Clear of Production Area: Sensor wires are connected at output of welder secondary. Never needs sensor wire location to be moved closer to the electrodes for any type of welder.
Fast Release: Electrodes close under low force and release in less than half of a second if metal is not detected between electrodes.
Electrodes Close Without Initial Delay: Electrodes start to move at the same time the welding control is initiated. Closing speed is independent of welding pressure.
Works with Ram Depth Limit Switch: For redundant system requiring both Electrode Continuity and Ram Depth Limit Switch closure.

Palm Buttons

Palm buttons are perhaps the oldest machinery safety device available. The buttons have become higher tech, and they have been made more fool proof, but they essentially remain a large part of the safety protocols in many facilities. Palm buttons have one often fatal flaw, however; you must let go of the part to initiate the weld. In the case of many tools and machines in the workplace, there are instances where it simply is not practical to build a fixture for every part you are running through your machine.

Palm buttons are anti-tie-down (meaning you can not tape them closed… an old industry safety bypass). They often are infrared, and detect your hands only (so a screwdriver will not initiate the welds). They work with gloves. The buttons are typically mounted to the machinery, or on a portable stand.

Physical Guards

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Safety Doors

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