Welding wire feeding apparatus with orbital mounting assembly

Claim 1

In combination with an industrial manipulator including a "Z" axis assembly from which there is dependingly supported an extended welding post for rotational movement about a vertical axis on which a welding device is supported for gas metal arc welding, an improved welding wire feeding apparatus and mounting assembly for continuously delivering welding wire to the welding device comprising: a mounting baseplate means having a first end with an aperture therethrough and a second end opposite thereto and a first side and a second second side, which mounting baseplate means is disposed between the "Z" axis assembly and the extended welding post for independent rotational movement about the vertical axis which rotational movement is coordinated with the rotational movement of the extended welding post and wherein the extended welding post depends from the "Z" axis assembly through said aperture; a reel spool means rotatably supported on the first side of said mounting baseplate means for rotation about a horizontal axis and on which a supply of welding wire is stored; a wire drive means supported on the second side of said mounting baseplate for positively drawing the welding wire from the reel spool means supply for delivery to the welding device; a set of leveling roller means mounted between said reel spool means and said wire drive means and through which the welding wire passes; and insulated tube means extending from a location proximate said wire drive means to a second location proximate the welding device through which the welding wire is conveyed substantially the length of the extended welding post.