Currently, the technology of resistance welding machines has been advancing rapidly with innovations such as digitization, computerization, touchscreen interfaces, CAN-BUS, and integrated controls. Many state-of-the-art technological achievements have found widespread application in resistance welding machines, making low-cost, high-speed, and highly stable fully automatic resistance welding machines increasingly favored. In China, fully automatic resistance welding machines are generally classified into two categories: imported and domestic.
1. Imported Welding Machines
In recent years, China has mainly imported foreign welding machines, with a focus on high-speed machines (exceeding 600 cans/min) for beverage can production lines and medium-speed machines (exceeding 300 cans/min) for aerosol can production lines. The predominant models are the FBB and AFB series produced by Swiss company Soudronic.
The fastest fully automatic resistance welding machine in China currently is the FBB1080 (see Figure 3-48), produced by Soudronic. This high-speed machine is designed for beverage and food can production, achieving a remarkable speed of 800 cans per minute (can height: 110mm) with a copper wire speed of 110m/min. It holds the title of the world’s fastest fully automatic resistance welding machine. Presently, installations and operations are limited to China, with facilities in Hangzhou at COFCO Packaging and in Tianjin at Zhongchen Group.
2. Domestic Welding Machines
Domestic welding machines are primarily categorized as medium-speed (around 300 cans/min) and low-speed (below 150 cans/min). The mainstream models are from Shantou Light Industry Machinery Factory, producing the DO-DOS series. Technical parameters for these machines are outlined in Table 3-4.
