METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING AND CHARACTERIZING THE CREATION OF A MANUAL WELD
First Claim
1. A non-contact method for monitoring and characterizing the creation of a manual weld comprising:
- a) positioning a welding gun (200) in proximity to a weld joint (WJ) defined by a first work piece (W1) and a second work piece (W2), wherein the welding gun (200) has a gun tip (220) nominally located a standoff distance (SD) from the weld joint (WJ), and a target (240);
b) welding the first work piece (W1) and the second work piece (W2) along the weld joint (WJ) with the welding gun (200);
c) capturing remotely a plurality of images of the target (240) during welding as the welding gun (200) traverses the weld joint (WJ);
d) processing the plurality of remotely captured images of the target (240) to calculate a plurality of position and orientation characteristics associated with the manipulation of the welding gun (200) during welding; and
e) displaying at least one of the plurality of position and orientation characteristics associated with the manipulation of the welding gun (200) during welding.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for monitoring and characterizing the creation of a manual weld is disclosed. The system generally includes a welding gun having a target, an imaging system, a processor, and a display. During the creation of a manual weld, the imaging system captures a plurality of images of the target. The processor analyzes the plurality of images of the target to calculate a plurality of position and orientation characteristics associated with the manipulation of the welding gun during the welding process. The display illustrates at least one of the plurality of position and orientation characteristics to provide feedback regarding the creation of the weld. In one embodiment, the disclosed method and system may be utilized as a tool for training welders.
264 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A non-contact method for monitoring and characterizing the creation of a manual weld comprising:
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a) positioning a welding gun (200) in proximity to a weld joint (WJ) defined by a first work piece (W1) and a second work piece (W2), wherein the welding gun (200) has a gun tip (220) nominally located a standoff distance (SD) from the weld joint (WJ), and a target (240); b) welding the first work piece (W1) and the second work piece (W2) along the weld joint (WJ) with the welding gun (200); c) capturing remotely a plurality of images of the target (240) during welding as the welding gun (200) traverses the weld joint (WJ); d) processing the plurality of remotely captured images of the target (240) to calculate a plurality of position and orientation characteristics associated with the manipulation of the welding gun (200) during welding; and e) displaying at least one of the plurality of position and orientation characteristics associated with the manipulation of the welding gun (200) during welding. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system (100) for monitoring and characterizing the creation of a manual weld comprising:
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a) a welding gun (200) having a gun axis (210), a gun tip (220), a handle (230), and a target (240); b) an imaging system (300) remotely positioned from the welding gun (200) to capture a plurality of images of the target (240); c) a processor (400) in communication with the imaging system (300) that processes the plurality of images of the target (240) and calculates a plurality of position and orientation characteristics associated with the welding gun (200); and d) a display (500) in communication with the processor (400) for illustrating at least one of the plurality of position and orientation characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification