FORCE Technology presents no less than a global innovation within automated welding at the trade fair, HI Industry 2007, from the 4th to the 7th September.
The new invention called OPAU (OPtimised AUtomation) makes it possible to automate welding of joints with varying gaps – which was previously impossible to mechanise or automate.
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FORCE Technology's new invention OPAU which makes it possible to automate welding of joints with varying gaps. |
Artificial intelligence
The concept of the OPAU-system is in a number of welding tests to “train” a neural network (artificial intelligence) in finding the optimal welding parameters in different welding geometries.
Practice makes perfect
In practice, training of the neural network is made by a laser sensor, placed immediately in front of the welding pistol, continuously measuring the geometry of the welding groove. A number of welding runs are made with different, fixed welding parameters and groove geometries, and the neural network is subsequently informed of which welding operations were good and which were not.
Then, the system – within the “trained” tolerance box – continuously adjusts the welding parameters to ensure optimisation during the welding operation based on the measurements of the laser sensor. Subsequent adjustments are typically made on welding amperage, welding speed and weaving width.
The OPAU-system consists of the software that constitutes the neural network, a laser sensor, a MIG/MAG power source, a manipulator (for weaving and height of the welding pistol) and a computer linked to the laser sensor, the power source and welding speed. The manipulator can in principle be an X-Y cross sledge, a robot or a welding tractor with the required degrees of freedom.
