Introduction to laser sensors for automated welding

Abstract

Automated arc welding,including robot welding,requires the welding electrode to be kept in the correct position in the weld joint throughout the welding process.It is extremely difficult to achieve this by fixturing alone.Some kind of real time tracking systemis required.The modern solution to weld seam tracking is by using a laser vision system.This paper reviews the background to weldseam tracking,discusses the design of different kinds of laser vision sensors and gives several examples.