Robot welding seam tracking method based on passive vision for thin plate closed-gap butt welding

A passive vision sensor is added to a teaching and playback welding robot for pulsed gas tungsten arc welding, which is normally used in the welding of thin plate closed-gap butts. This paper presents a seam tracking method based on this sensor through period visual measurement of the offset between the torch and the seam center. A robust image processing algorithm is developed to extract the seam center. A kind of ARX(auto-regressive with exogenous input) model is studied to describe the relationship between the rectifying voltage and the offset. The fuzzy PID(proportional-integral-derivative) seam tracking controller is analyzed and designed in consideration of various offsets based on the ARX model. The experimental results on straight line weld display a good seam tracking capability of the proposed method.     

An automated weld seam tracking system for thick plate using cross mark structured light

This paper presents a weld seam tracking system using cross mark structured light. The hardware of the proposed system consists of a two degrees of freedom (DOF) welding robot, a camera with cross mark structured light, and two computers. The system has two parts namely visual sensing and motion control. In the visual sensing part, the cross mark of the structured light is utilized to set a region of interest (ROI). In the ROI, an adapted line fitting algorithm is employed to estimate the lines. Then, intersections of the lines are computed and used as the pin points for templates creating. During the matching process, a modified template matching is used to detect the edges of V-groove weld seam. By using this technique, a huge computational cost in image processing can be reduced, and therefore the tracking can be made in real time. The position based visual servoing with proportional-derivative(PD) and velocity feedback controller is designed for seam tracking. The experimental results show that the proposed method performs the real-time tracking efficiently with sufficient accuracy.     

An adaptive sliding mode control technology for weld seam tracking

A novel adaptive sliding mode control algorithm is derived to deal with seam tracking control problem of welding robotic manipulator, during the process of large-scale structure component welding. The proposed algorithm does not require the precise dynamic model, and is more practical. Its robustness is verified by the Lyapunov stability theory. The analytical results show that the proposed algorithm enables better high-precision tracking performance with chattering-free than traditional sliding mode control algorithm under various disturbances.     

Real-time image processing for vision-based weld seam tracking in robotic GMAW

Image capturing and processing is important in using vision sensor to effectively track the weld seam and control the weld quality in robotic gas metal arc welding (GMAW). Using vision techniques to track weld seam, the key is to acquire clear weld images and process them accurately. In this paper, a method for real-time image capturing and processing is presented for the application in robotic seam tracking. By analyzing the characteristic of robotic GMAW, the real-time weld images are captured clearly by the passive vision sensor. Utilizing the main characteristics of the gray gradient in the weld image, a new improved Canny edge detection algorithm was proposed to detect the edges of weld image and extract the seam and pool characteristic parameters. The image processing precision was further verified by using the random welding experiments. Results showed that the precision range of the image processing can be controlled to be within ±0.3 mm in robotic GMAW, which can meet the requirement of real-time seam tracking.     

一种基于DSP的焊缝跟踪模糊控制器系统的设计

本文阐述了焊缝跟踪参数自整定模糊控制器的工作原理．提出了比例因子和量化因子自动调节的方案和实现方法．介绍了模糊控制器的具体设计步骤和DSP参数自整定模糊控制系统的硬件．软件设计，结果表明，在焊缝跟踪中采用参数自整定模糊控制可以明显改善系统的性能。     

A rule-based system for interpreting weld seam images

Robot arc welding under vision sensor guidance with active laser light sources is becoming widely used in industry. This paper describes a rule-based expert system approach to analysing and interpreting weld seam images. The representation of weld seam images as a sequence of features offers a onedimensional matching procedure.     

Arc welding robot system with seam tracking and weld pool control based on passive vision

The automatic control in square-wave alternating current (AC) gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is significant for a “teach and playback” robot to overcome the variation of the seam trajectory and the seam gap in the welding process. This paper presents a welding robot system based on the real-time visual measurement in the different levels of the welding current. The primary objective is to measure the offset of the torch to the seam center and the size of seam gap by passive vision, track the seam and control the weld pool in real time. A novel visual image analysis algorithm was developed for seam tracking and seam gap measuring, free from robot calibration. The control algorithm based on the knowledge base was established to control the weld formation by regulating the welding current and wire feed rate. The welding practice for the rocket storage tank demonstrates the efficiency of the proposed system.     

基于结构光的螺旋钢管埋弧焊焊缝跟踪系统研究

介绍了基于结构光的螺旋钢管焊缝跟踪系统,利用LOG滤波和二值化法消除图像中的噪声并把光带图像从背景中提取出来.采用边界取平均值法抽取光带的中心线,用斜率分析法检测出特征点.该图像处理方法处理速度快,能够满足跟踪系统的要求.     

薄板TIG对接焊温度场的有限元模拟

焊件中的温度场分布反映了复杂的焊接热过程，是研究焊接变形、焊后残余应力等状况的基础。焊接数值模拟技术的出现，为焊接技术的深入发展创造了有力的条件。针对低碳钢薄板件TIG对接焊时，应用双椭圆分布热源模型，建立了TIG对接焊三维温度场有限元数值分析模型，将有限元解同实验结果进行了比较，两者基本吻合，表明了该分析模型的有效性，并以此有限元模型为基础，分析了两焊板间存在间隙和焊枪偏离焊缝中心这一实际情形下，温度场分布的不均匀性。     

An image acquisition system for real-time seam tracking

Process planning is a function that establishes the technological requirements necessary to convert a part from its raw material to the finished form. Generally, the result of process planning is delivered to the workshop to guide the manufacturing process in the form of process plan. However, a part always has multi alternative process plans for the processing means and techniques are not unique, therefore, optimization and selection of process plans is an important task of flexible process planning. In this paper, the flexibility of process planning and the AND/OR network adopted to represent the flexibility of process plans were described, and a mathematical model for the optimization of flexible process planning based on the AND/OR network was established. On this basis, a new heuristic method, called cross-entropy (CE) approach, was proposed to optimize flexible process planning. In order to facilitate the implementation of the CE-based approach, the new sample representation and probability distribution parameter were introduced; meanwhile, the new sample generation mechanism was presented and the updating expression of probability distribution parameter was deduced. Case studies, used for comparing this approach with genetic algorithm (GA) and genetic programming (GP)-based approach, were discussed to indicate the performance and adaptability of the proposed CE-based approach in terms of the solution quality and computational efficiency of the algorithm. The results show that the CE-based approach is effective for the optimization research of flexible process planning.     

自动超声探伤系统在船体对接焊缝检测中的应用研究

设计一种适用于船体对接焊缝的自动超声波探伤系统,并对船体壁面爬行器的组成结构、系统运行方式、自动检测原理、焊缝扫查方式及系统软件设计进行了重点分析和讨论.该系统在计算机控制下,由爬行器带动双探头在焊缝两侧移动,发现缺陷即报警并标识,从而实现探伤作业自动化.     

焊缝跟踪应用的线激光视觉伺服控制系统

设计了一套由三轴直角坐标机器人、线激光传感器和工业计算机组成的焊缝跟踪系统。研究了该系统所涉及的测量原理、特征点测量方法和基于模糊自适应的控制方法。通过高斯核相关算法(KCF)在焊接过程中实时检测焊缝特征点,并根据测量原理计算获得特征点相对于相机坐标系的三维坐标值。设计了一种自适应模糊控制器,通过自适应模糊控制器计算坐标的偏差值和偏差变化率得到焊枪末端运动轨迹的控制量,同时对模糊控制器的输入输出论域、模糊规则和隶属函数进行实时动态更新。实施了焊缝跟踪实验。结果显示:采用最大焊接电流为350 A的惰性气体保护焊(MIG),在强烈弧光和飞溅的干扰下,该系统能实时跟踪焊接工件,跟踪精度为0.325 3mm,传感器测量频率为20Hz。焊接过程中焊枪末端运行平稳,焊缝轨迹跟踪准确,且抗干扰能力,能满足焊接应用要求。     

Passive vision based seam tracking system for pulse-MAG welding

Welding robots have been widely used in manufacturing process to substitute for human welders. However, most of them are rigid and cannot adjust to variations in the weld seam positions caused by natural welding environmental factors. To address this problem, this paper presents a passive vision-based robotic welding system, which can realize the seam tracking function for pulse-MAG welding. In this paper, the light spectrum of the welding process is analyzed to determine the optical filters used during the image capture. Then, a robust image processing method is proposed to extract the offset from the image which contains much noise. The transformation formula is calibrated to obtain the relationship between the image coordinate system and the robot coordinate system. The tracking strategy is designed to improve the tracking precision and the stability of the welding process. Finally, experiments are conducted on straight line and curved line seam to verify the feasibility of the developed system.     

A visual seam tracking system for robotic arc welding

A novel circular laser three-dimensional (3D) scanner is developed instead of a one-dimensional laser spot scanner (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) striped laser light. Using the proposed circular laser scanner, a seam tracking system is constructed, and architecture based on the Visual C++ and RAPID languages which determines the cooperation among image processing modules is carried out. Finally, real seam tracking experiments are investigated and the error analysis is carried out. The results show that: (1) the proposed system can realize seam tracking; (2) the precision of this system is affected by the light scanning system, calibration results, image processing, and the welding seam 3D algorithm—the tracking accuracy is satisfied for robotic arc welding; (3) this system can be used in a welding robot system as a weld seam finder, flatness detector, and weld seam tracker.     

微细对接焊缝初始点定位方法

为了解决焊接机器人对薄板微细焊缝的自动定位和焊接问题,研究了一种基于视觉的高精度微细对接焊缝初始点定位方法。提出一种局部范围内两步精确定位方法,第一步,获取工件在不同尺度及旋转角度下的图像,建立典型的模板匹配库,利用模板匹配方法提取出焊缝初始点位置区域;第二步,采用Shi-Tomasi算法在此局部范围内进行角点检测,计算亚像素级角点位置并进行初始点精确定位。通过对现场拍摄的50幅不同高度和旋转角度的图像进行初始点检测,实现了对所有图像的准确检测。实验结果表明,两步定位方法鲁棒性强,可以精确定位出规则边界和不规则边界焊缝的初始点,解决了微细对接焊缝初始点定位问题,达到了期望结果。     

基于薄板样条函数的无人机多目标跟踪算法

针对无人机单机载相机运动下的多目标跟踪存在目标位置漂移和状态预测失效等问题,提出了一种基于薄板样条函数的无人机多目标跟踪方法.利用空间变换函数刻画无人机运动,构建无人机运动下的目标状态空间模型,利用外观特征初始化轨迹与量测对应关系,根据初始对应关系并计算薄板样条函数的最小二乘解求解出模型未知参数,进而根据模型预测轨迹运...     

Three-dimensional finite element analysis for estimation of the weld residual stress in the dissimilar butt weld piping

Numerous dissimilar metal welds are used to connect carbon steel and stainless steel in nuclear power plants. Recently, some cracks have occurred in the dissimilar metal welds, and welding residual stress is considered as a contributing factor to the cracks. In this study, welding residual stresses in dissimilar butt weld piping were evaluated by the 3-dimensional (3-D) finite element method. Welding residual stresses along the circumference of heat affected zones as well as weld regions were obtained through the analysis, which could not be obtainable with 2-dimensional (2-D) analysis. The differences between 2-D analysis and 3-D analysis are presented in this paper.     

基于电弧传感器的焊缝自动跟踪系统的研究

研制电弧传感器的焊缝自动跟踪系统 ,采用具有先进性能的开关型MIG MAG脉冲焊接电源 ,将电流和电压信号同时用作传感信号 ,通过电弧的扫描 ,既实现了焊接过程的自动跟踪 ,又解决了打底焊道的熔透问题 ,大大提高了产品焊接质量。