A practical method for weld seam position detection

Weld seam position detection mainly relies on initial point detection of weld seam in robotic welding automation. In industry factory, the position data for weld seam are usually detected through contact measurement sensor before welding. Such a method is not suitable in heavy industry, since length of weld seam may reach to ten meters which results in time-consuming position detection which will reduce the duty cycle of the equipment and lowered the cost-effective of welding equipment significantly. To satisfy the huge demand of market in industries mentioned above, a method based on scanning-spotlights and calibration technique with laser range finder sensors is proposed in this paper. The duty cycle of the equipment is improved significantly through separating welding motion system and weld seam position detection system. It not only meets welding position precision requirement, but also reduces the costs considerably. Moreover, the cost-effective is improved significantly.