Heavy Duty Welding

There are currently two main approaches to the use of laser seam tracking in multipass SAW.  One uses a relatively simple and low cost system which relies on manual operator input to select the target position for individual weld passes.  The other uses a more sophisticated (and more expensive) system which is capable of determining the location of individual weld passes by itself as well as controlling the deposition process.

The first approach uses a relatively simple laser vision system together with a human interface designed to make it easy to position the torch for each weld pass.  Typically, the machine operator indicates the correct target position for each pass and the system itself then controls the position of the welding head throughout welding that pass.

The second approach uses more advanced sensors, hardware and software to automate the entire process of making a multi pass weld.  This is available for a more limited range of joint types than the simpler system. Typically it is used on narrow gap and semi narrow gap systems and is most suitable where a large number of joints of the same type have to be welded in a production line type of operation.

Laser Seam Tracking is now well established in multipass welding of thick wall vessels.  It offers significant benefits in terms of both quality and productivity.  These two main approaches, and the selection of the best approach for a particular company and application depends on many factors, including the volume and range of production, operator and maintenance skill levels, experience with the technology, management support for moving forward with new methods as well as the basic ROI calculation.