Low Density Tantalum Pellet Compaction for Weld Strength

Compaction of Low Density Tantalum Anodes for Increased Weld Strength

Component InterTechnologies,
http://www.cit-hadley.com
Phone 724-253-3161

Component InterTechnologies (CIT), specializes in the precision welding of lead wires and resistor elements, wire forms and glass tube cutting for lighting and electronics. CIT has been welding pressed tantalum anodes for the capacitor industry since 1980. Over time, the demand for more performance the volume per capacitance ratio increased less and less dense powders were being welded the riser wire. At some densities the compressed pellet to anode wire weld was not strong enough to withstand the rigor of the manufacturing process.
To address this problem the pellet needed to be compacted at the weld area only, without compacting the entire pellet that would reduce performance. This compacting process needed to be done in a localized area and at production speeds (12000 pph) .
CIT designed a completely new pellet feeding welding system that incorporated a carbide tool for the compacting a very small area of the pellet that the anode wire is welded into. This provides a more dense area that when the wire is welded into is much stronger and will withstand the rigors of later manufacturing process.
The system is built using a precision controlled index wheel a linear pellet feed track and escapement a pneumatic motorized indenting mechanism and a cam operated welding contact and jaw opening system. There is also an electrically operated sorting mechanism for discrepant welded parts.
The process starts with pressed pellets being placed in a stainless steel feed bowl. They are then propelled along the feed track using air to position them for loading into the index wheel. When the index wheel is in position a cam operated jaw opening device both opens the index wheel jaw and releases a pellet into the jaw. The index wheel now moves to the next station where a motor driven carbide tool is pressed into the tantalum pellet , indenting the pellet. The next index positions the indented pellet inline with the wire weld jaw while flowing Argon gas over the weld area. This weld jaw brings a cut piece of tantalum wire in contact with the pellet indentation and the resistance weld is triggered. At the next 2 index position a visual inspection can be completed. At the final index position a cam operated jaw opening device releases the welded pellet assembly using air to eject the pellet. If a vision sorting system is used the failed pellet is ejected at this time.
This system can be applied to nearly any pellet size by changing the index wheel and sub plate. All parameters used in the manufacture of welded tantalum pellet anodes are fully adjustable using micrometer controlled positioning.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Tantalum
• Dimpler
• Compactor
• pressed
• capacitor
• riser
• wire
• welding
• densities
• manufacturing
• Components
• volume
• capacitance

[punkytbrewster]

hello my name is scottie i am interested in purchasing

any scrap tantalum you may have please email me @ stssurplus@yahoo.com

thanks