Adaptive welder with laser TV-scanner
US4493968A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 13, 1983 |
| Grant date | Jan 15, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23Q35/127
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention pertains to a welding system having automatic groove tracking and adaptive groove filling capabilities. Data produced by a coordinated laser spot projector (10) and TV-scanner (12) combination is determined to an Intel 8085 computer (28) to provide a substantially continuous analysis of groove locations in a three-axis coordinate system as well as groove depth and area. Location information is fed to an LSI-11 computer (38) to control the tracking function through coordinate axis servo-type drives (46) and to control a fourth-axis or "swing" function which provides freedom between the welding torch (14) and the optical system (10, 12) which leads the torch by several inches. The groove depth and area information is also fed to the LSI-11 to control the welding parameters, i.e.; deposition rate and voltage and produce the desired weld along the groove.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.