Beam and Web to Flange Seam Tracking
Posted by Invisual E. Inc. on February 4th, 2020
The iWeld-STS system offers the advantage of productivity and quality gains, better deployment of workforce.
With a small capital investment, a manufacturer can be efficient and increase their production rates. Welding travel speeds are increased beyond the manual ability of an operator. Traditionally, beam welding or web to arc welding projects have deployed tactile seam tracking systems. The inherent issues that can be annoying with tactile seam tracking are space constraints and in some cases the tactile probe bounces causing off seam welding.
The iWeld-STS provides automatic position control in two axes via a closed loop motion control algorithm during the arc welding process. Two scanners are placed 90 degrees to each other and read the surface to sensor datum. The real time data is fed through the control loop and outputs either an analog or digital signal which are correction values. The correction signals are applied to the motors to maintain the correct position. The scanner operates with an accuracy of +/- 50microns or 0.002” and scans at a rate of 250Hz. Seam tracking mode:
Set setpoint, tolerance limits, deadband limits
Auto home sequence
Run in Manual and Auto mode
Jog the slides via touchscreen or joystick
Displays the setpoint value and error
IO for turning on/off the arc welding process
E-stop
The system can be equipped with a welding camera for visualization at the same time.
The arc weld viewing camera has the following capabilities:
Manual or motorized zoom lens
60frames per second
Dynamic range > 140dB
Auto brightness and exposure adjustment
No blooming effects or image artifacts in scene
Stand alone system with direct video connect
Reticule overlay
About Invisual E. Inc.
Invisual E. Inc is dedicated to advancements of quality, efficiency and capabilities for manufacturing. A technology firm that works with OEM, integrators and manufacturers to build brands, expand markets, grow revenues.
Pierre Huot is the founder of Invisual E. Inc He received an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business and a B.A. in Science, Chemical Engineering from the University of Ottawa. He is the author of several published case studies and white papers.
