TECNA 3670E: Restoring Electrode Cooling Performance

The TECNA 3670E - CF00 had developed a fault affecting its electrode cooling system.

A lack of cooling does not necessarily indicate which part of the system is causing the problem. Rather than immediately replacing components or carrying out major repairs, the A.T.S. technician began by inspecting the cooling circuit and checking the path through which the coolant circulates.

The aim was to narrow down the possible causes through a series of checks and determine what action was actually needed based on the machine's condition.

Testing the circuit with compressed air

The first inspection involved introducing compressed air through the circuit inlets.

This test was carried out to check whether air could pass through the pipework and identify any complete blockage.

Air was able to flow through the lines, ruling out a total obstruction. The technician therefore continued the investigation, focusing on other parts of the cooling system.

The next step was to inspect the water tank and assess the condition of the cooling fluid.

During the initial checks, heavily contaminated water was discharged from the cooling circuit, with a substantial amount of sludge and visible deposits.

According to the information available at the time, no previous maintenance had been carried out on the cooling circuit.

The deposits were observed directly during the inspection. However, no laboratory analysis was performed, so their exact composition could not be established, nor could their formation be attributed to a single cause.

What matters in this particular case is the condition found on the machine: the cooling circuit showed significant visible contamination, and electrode cooling was restored after cleaning.

After assessing the condition of the cooling system, the A.T.S. technician began the cleaning process.

The work covered:

• Water tank;
• Pipework;
• Cooling circuit.

During the initial flushing, the water coming out of the system was still heavily contaminated.

The technician continued flushing the circuit, replacing the water and checking its condition at the outlet after each stage.

Cleaning continued until the discharged water ran clear, with no visible signs of the contamination found at the start of the maintenance work.

Following the cleaning of the water tank and pipework, the TECNA 3670E - CF00 was tested again to check whether the cooling system was working correctly.

Electrode cooling was successfully restored.

No components needed replacing in this particular case. Cleaning the cooling circuit, followed by a final operational test, was sufficient to restore its function.

The entire maintenance operation took approximately 2 hours, including:

• Initial inspections;
• Checking airflow through the pipework;
• Inspecting the water tank and cooling fluid;
• Cleaning the system;
• Flushing the circuit;
• Final operational test.

The time required relates specifically to this maintenance case. Other interventions may take longer or shorter depending on the machine, its configuration and the nature of the fault.

This maintenance case highlights three points worth considering when dealing with cooling problems on a resistance spot welder.

1. Diagnose the fault before replacing parts

When an electrode cooling system stops working, the cause is not immediately obvious. Replacing components without checking the circuit first may leave the original problem unresolved.

A step-by-step inspection helps establish the actual condition of the cooling system and identify what needs attention before any repair work is undertaken.

2. Check the entire cooling circuit

The pipework, water tank and cooling fluid all form part of the same system. Inspecting one element in isolation may not reveal the source of the problem.

On the TECNA 3670E - CF00, compressed air was able to pass through the pipes. This ruled out a complete blockage and led the technician to examine the tank and cooling water more closely, where significant contamination was found.

3. Always confirm the result with a final test

Removing visible dirt does not necessarily mean that the cooling system is working again.

Once cleaning is complete, the machine must be tested to check that the original fault has been resolved.

In this case, the final operational test confirmed that electrode cooling had been successfully restored.

A.T.S. provides technical support for industrial resistance welding, helping companies select, service and maintain spot welding machines, welding systems and related components.

With extensive hands-on experience working with TECNA equipment, A.T.S. approaches maintenance and repair work by examining the machine and identifying the actual operating conditions. This allows technicians to investigate the fault before deciding whether a particular component needs attention or replaceme