Welding training system
First Claim
1. A system for performance monitoring of welders, comprising:
- (a) a data generating component, wherein the data generating component includes;
(i) at least one calibration block, wherein the at least one calibration block includes a geometric configuration, and wherein the geometric configuration is specific to a particular type of weld joint;
(ii) a weld coupon positioned adjacent to the calibration block, wherein the weld coupon further includes at least one piece of weldable material, and wherein a weld is actually produced;
(iii) a welding gun, wherein the welding gun is operative to form the weld; and
(iv) at least one target mounted on the welding gun;
(b) a data capturing component, wherein the data capturing component includes;
(i) at least one imaging device for capturing images of the target, wherein the at least one imaging device is mounted on or near the substrate such that the imaging device has a clear view of the at least one target mounted on the welding gun; and
(c) a data processing and visualization component, wherein the data processing and visualization component includes;
(i) at least one computer for receiving and analyzing information captured by the data capturing component, wherein the at least one computer is running software that includes;
(a) a welding procedures module, wherein the module includes a variety of weld types and a series of acceptable welding process parameters associated with creating each weld type;
(b) an object recognition module for recognizing the target; and
(c) a data processing module for comparing the information in the welding procedures module to the information processed by the object recognition module; and
(ii) at least one display device in electrical communication with the at least one computer for allowing the processed data to be visualized in real time or immediately following the weld, wherein the visualized data is operative to provide information regarding the performance on the production of the weld.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for training welders that includes a data generating component, a data capturing component and a data processing and visualization component. The data generating component operates in real time and derives data from an actual manually-executed weld and further includes a weld process-specific jig, a calibration block positioned on the jig, wherein the geometric configuration of the calibration block is specific to a particular type of weld joint, a weld coupon positioned on the welding process-specific jig adjacent to the calibration block, a welding gun for use by a trainee, wherein the welding gun is operative to form the weld; and at least one target mounted on the welding gun that is recognized by the data processing and visualization component for providing multidimensional position and orientation feedback to the trainee.
440 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system for performance monitoring of welders, comprising:
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(a) a data generating component, wherein the data generating component includes; (i) at least one calibration block, wherein the at least one calibration block includes a geometric configuration, and wherein the geometric configuration is specific to a particular type of weld joint; (ii) a weld coupon positioned adjacent to the calibration block, wherein the weld coupon further includes at least one piece of weldable material, and wherein a weld is actually produced; (iii) a welding gun, wherein the welding gun is operative to form the weld; and (iv) at least one target mounted on the welding gun; (b) a data capturing component, wherein the data capturing component includes; (i) at least one imaging device for capturing images of the target, wherein the at least one imaging device is mounted on or near the substrate such that the imaging device has a clear view of the at least one target mounted on the welding gun; and (c) a data processing and visualization component, wherein the data processing and visualization component includes; (i) at least one computer for receiving and analyzing information captured by the data capturing component, wherein the at least one computer is running software that includes; (a) a welding procedures module, wherein the module includes a variety of weld types and a series of acceptable welding process parameters associated with creating each weld type; (b) an object recognition module for recognizing the target; and (c) a data processing module for comparing the information in the welding procedures module to the information processed by the object recognition module; and (ii) at least one display device in electrical communication with the at least one computer for allowing the processed data to be visualized in real time or immediately following the weld, wherein the visualized data is operative to provide information regarding the performance on the production of the weld. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for performance monitoring of welders, comprising:
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(a) a data generating component, wherein the data generating component includes; (i) at least one calibration block positioned on the jig, wherein the at least one calibration block includes a geometric configuration, and wherein the geometric configuration is specific to a particular type of weld joint; (ii) a weld coupon positioned adjacent to the calibration block, wherein the weld coupon further includes at least one piece of weldable material, and wherein a weld is actually produced (iii) a welding gun, wherein the welding gun is operative to form the weld; and (iv) at least one target mounted on the welding gun; (b) a data capturing component, wherein the data capturing component includes; (i) at least one imaging device for capturing images of the target, wherein the at least one imaging device is mounted such that the imaging device has a clear view of the at least one target mounted on the welding gun; and (c) a data processing and visualization component, wherein the data processing and visualization component includes; (i) at least one computer for receiving and analyzing information captured by the data capturing component, wherein the at least one computer is running software that includes; (a) a welding procedures module, wherein the module includes a variety of weld types and a series of acceptable welding process parameters associated with creating each weld type; (b) an object recognition module for recognizing the target; and (c) a data processing module for comparing the information in the welding procedures module to the information processed by the object recognition module; and (ii) at least one display device in electrical communication with the at least one computer for allowing the processed data to be visualized in real time or immediately following the weld. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification