Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are drawn to additive manufacturing methods. An exemplary method may include determining x and y coordinates for a tool path of an additive manufacturing machine, and calculating an angle of the tool path. The method may also include determining a position of a compression roller relative to the angle of the tool path, and moving the compression roller to position the compression roller relative to the angle of the tool path.

Abstract: A welding method includes feeding a welding electrode axially from a welding torch, moving the welding electrode radially in a desired pattern with respect to a central axis of the welding torch by a motion control assembly within the welding torch, transmitting from control circuitry a signal corresponding to a position of the welding electrode relative to a weld joint or weld pool, advancing the welding torch or a workpiece to establish a weld, and transferring material from the welding electrode to a first location in an area of the weld pool. The welding electrode moves radially while feeding the welding electrode from the welding torch, the material from the welding electrode is transferred to the first location during a first cycle of the desired pattern, and the first location is controlled based at least in part on the signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool (10) comprising a machine controller (19), a machine frame (11), a work table (13), a tool holder (14), preferably of a standardized design, multiple translational and/or rotational axes (12a, 12b) for adjusting the relative position of the work table (13) and the work holder (14), a tool magazine (16) for one or more material-removing, in particular machining tools (15), a tool-change mechanism for automatically transporting tools between the tool holder (14) and the tool magazine (16), a deposit-welding head (20) that can be inserted into the tool holder (14) and a storage device (25) for storing the deposit-welding head outside the tool holder (14).

Abstract: Example implementations may relate to optimization of observer robot locations. In particular, a control system may detect an event that indicates desired relocation of observer robots within a worksite. Each such observer robot may have respective sensor(s) configured to provide information related to respective positions of a plurality of target objects within the worksite. Responsively, the control system may (i) determine observer robot locations within the worksite at which one or more of the respective sensors are each capable of providing information related to respective positions of one or more of the plurality of target objects and (ii) determine a respectively intended level of positional accuracy for at least two respective target objects. Based on the respectively intended levels of positional accuracy, the control system may select one or more of the observer robot locations and may direct one or more observer robots to relocate to the selected locations.

Abstract: Example systems and methods allow for runtime control of robotic devices during a construction process. One example method includes determining at least one sequence of robot operations corresponding to at least one robot actor, causing the at least one robot actor to execute a portion of the at least one sequence of robot operations during a first time period, receiving an interrupt signal from a mobile computing device indicating a modification to the at least one sequence of robot operations, where the mobile computing device is configured to display a digital interface including one or more robot parameters describing the at least one robot actor and one or more tool parameters describing operating characteristics of at least one physical tool, and causing the at least one robot actor to execute a portion of the at least one modified sequence of robot operations during a second time period.

Abstract: Example systems and methods are disclosed for determining work offset data for a robot in a work environment. A robot operating in a work environment may receive an indication to determine a work offset. The work offset may describe the location and angular orientation of a working plane of the work environment relative to a base plane of the robot. In response to the indication, the robot may identify the working plane. The robot may be controlled to contact one or more points of the working plane. The robot may determine respective point locations of the contacted points relative to the base plane based on the respective positions of the robot at respective times of contact. The robot may determine the location and angular orientation of the working plane relative to the base plane based on the determined respective point locations of the contacted points.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to determining depth information using stereo sensor data. An example system may include at least one projector coupled to a robotic manipulator and configured to project a texture pattern onto an environment. The system may further include a displacer coupled to the at least one texture projector and configured to repeatedly change a position of the texture pattern within the environment. The system may also include at least two optical sensors configured to capture stereo sensor data for the environment. And the system may include a computing device configured to determine, using the stereo sensor data, an output including a virtual representation of the environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding a first component to a second component. A scanning head is positionally calibrated within a localised work envelope including the components, the positional calibration being referenced to at least one datum feature within the work envelope. Profiles of the components are scanned within the localised work envelope using the calibrated scanning head. A cloud point data image of defined coordinate positions of surfaces and edges to be welded within a space envelope is generated from the scanned profiles. A robotic welding torch electrode tip is scanned using the calibrated scanning head to determine a defined coordinate position of the electrode tip within the space envelope. The components are welded using the torch, the torch controlled using the cloud point data image and the defined coordinate position such that the electrode tip is held at pre-determined stand-off positions around the components during the welding.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for determining welding speed employing a series of optical sensors (28) positioned along a weld joint (12) that collects light source location data during an actual weld.

Abstract: A laser processing robot system, in which an augmented reality processing technology is used to enable a processing laser beam and its irradiation position to be safely and easily seen, is provided. A laser processing robot system includes an image processing device having an augmented reality image processing unit for performing augmented reality image processing for an actual image including an image of a robot captured by an imaging device. The augmented reality image processing unit is adapted to superimpose a virtual image representing at least one of a laser beam obtained by assuming that the laser beam is emitted from a laser irradiation device to a workpiece, and an irradiation position of the laser beam, onto the actual image, and to display the superimposed image on the display device.

Abstract: A method for correcting the processing path of a robot-guided tool for processing at least one component, wherein: a target position for a plurality of points of a target processing path is specified; from the specified points, points to be corrected are selected; the actual position for the selected points to be corrected is measured or detected on at least one component to be processed; and the processing path corresponding to the measured or detected actual position of the points of the component to be processed is correspondingly corrected. The method is suitable, for example, for welding a component into a borehole using a laser beam, wherein the processing path of the laser beam is corrected so as to correspond to the contour of the component.

Abstract: A method of operating a cleaning system removes support material from parts made by a three-dimensional printer. The method operates the cleaning system to correlate data for features on a part located within a receptacle with structural data in a file used by the three-dimensional printer to fabricate the part. The method then operates one or more actuators to locate a fluid directing nozzle pneumatically connected to a pressurized fluid source opposite areas containing support material and operates the pressurized fluid source to enable pressurized fluid to be directed by the fluid directing nozzle at the support material. The method includes generating image data of the cleaned areas with an image sensor so the removal of the support material can be confirmed, and if an area is not sufficiently cleaned, the cleaning operation can be repeated.

Abstract: A system includes a welding device, one or more cameras, and a controller coupled to the one or more cameras. The welding device includes a first set of visual markers oriented in a first direction and a second set of visual markers oriented in a second direction. Each set of visual markers includes at least three visual markers. The one or more cameras are configured to observe the first set of visual markers when the first direction is directed toward the one or more cameras, and to observe the second set of visual markers when the second direction is directed toward the one or more cameras. The controller is configured to track a position and an orientation of the welding device based at least in part on detection of a threshold quantity of the first set of visual markers or the threshold quantity of the second set of visual markers.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for detecting multilayer multipass welding trajectory are disclosed. The apparatus includes an imaging component, a first and a second directional light source group, a structured light source and a control and processing component. The imaging component is disposed in front of a welding gun and above a weld pass. The first and the second directional light source group are disposed symmetrically above the weld pass and at two sides of the weld pass. The structured light source is disposed above the weld pass. The control and processing component is configured to control the imaging component to capture an image of the workpiece surface separately when the first directional light source group, the second directional light source group or the structured light source emits the light to the workpiece surface and to obtain a multilayer multipass welding trajectory according to the images.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method that ties the coordinate spaces at the two locations together during calibration time using features on a runtime workpiece instead of a calibration target. Three possible scenarios are contemplated: wherein the same workpiece features are imaged and identified at both locations; wherein the imaged features of the runtime workpiece differ at each location (with a CAD or measured workpiece rendition available); and wherein the first location containing a motion stage has been calibrated to the motion stage using hand-eye calibration and the second location is hand-eye calibrated to the same motion stage by transferring the runtime part back and forth between locations. Illustratively, the quality of the first two techniques can be improved by running multiple runtime workpieces each with a different pose, extracting and accumulating such features at each location; and then using the accumulated features to tie the two coordinate spaces.

Abstract: To provide an arc welding robot system that displays a current waveform graphically during arc welding and realizes parameter adjustment on a display screen. An arc welding robot system comprises a robot controller and a teaching operation terminal. The robot controller comprises: an arc sensor; and a welding current storage unit that stores the current value of a welding current detected by the arc sensor during implementation of the arc welding. The teaching operation terminal comprises: a control unit; and a display on which data is displayed. The control unit comprises: a welding current display unit that displays the current value and the waveform of the welding current in any weaving cycle on the display; a sampling current area display unit that displays a sampling current area on the display; and a current waveform display shift unit that shifts the waveform of the welding current in a temporal axis direction on the display unit.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for guiding the workpieces to optimal positions to train an assembly system that is generally free of the use of a CMM or similar metrology device. The system and method expresses the image features of the workpieces, when they are in their respective stations, in a common coordinate system. This ability allows a user to visualize the result of assembling the workpieces without actually assembling them, in a “virtual assembly”. The virtual assembly assists guiding placement of workpieces in respective stations into a desired relative alignment. The system and method illustratively generates a composite image using the images from cameras used in guiding the workpieces that helps the user visualize how the part would appear following assembly. The user can reposition the images of workpieces in their respective stations until the composite image has a desired appearance.

Abstract: A robotic tool is positioned relative to a feature of a component during a manufacturing process. The tool may be used to perform a manufacturing operation on the component. The tool is also be used to dispose a fiducial mark with a known registration to the feature, even if the feature is subsequently obscured. The position of tools for subsequent manufacturing operations are then set relative to the fiducial mark.

Abstract: A method of automatically controlling welding using a welding apparatus having a heat-source and a wire feed. The method includes: setting at least one welding parameter; setting a stable wire interaction position where the wire fed by the wire feed interacts with the heat generated by the heat-source so as to produce an acceptable weld; and monitoring the wire interaction position during welding. If the wire interaction position deviates from the stable wire interaction position by more than an allowable tolerance at least one welding parameter is automatically altered to return the wire interaction position to within the allowable tolerance of the stable wire interaction position. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for calibrating a tool center point of tool for an industrial robot system. The method can include moving a first part of said tool and a cross beam sensor by said industrial robot; recording a first posture and a second posture of said industrial robot during the interruptions of a first beam and a second beam of a cross beam sensor; moving a second part of said tool and said cross beam sensor by said industrial robot; recording a third posture and a fourth posture of said industrial robot; calculating the tool orientation in consideration of said first posture, second posture, third posture and fourth posture of said industrial robot; and moving said tool and said cross beam sensor by said industrial robot so that said tool center point of said tool interrupts said crossing point of said cross beam sensor.

Abstract: Robotic control systems and methods may include providing an end effector tool of a robotic device configured to perform a task on a work surface within a worksite coordinate frame. Unintended movement over time of the end effector tool with respect to the work surface and with respect to the worksite coordinate frame may be determined based on image data indicative of the work surface, first location data indicative of a first location of the end effector tool with respect to the worksite coordinate frame, and second location data indicative of a second location of the end effector tool with respect to the work surface. One or more control signals for the robotic device may be adjusted in order to counteract the unintended movements of the end effector tool with respect to the work surface and worksite coordinate frame.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides in some embodiments an alignment film detecting device including: an imaging unit configured to obtain image information of the alignment grooves on the alignment film of the substrate; and an image processing unit configured to determine whether there is a defect in the alignment grooves on the alignment film based on the image information. According to the alignment film detecting device and the alignment film detecting method provided the present disclosure, the defect of the alignment film on the substrate may be detected, and the image information of the alignment grooves on the alignment film of the substrate may be obtained by the imaging unit, and a recognizing process may be implemented by the image processing unit based on the image information, so that it may accurately determine whether there is a defect in the alignment grooves.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a neck detection for a welding power supply. The neck detection can be suitably performed even if the welding power supply is combined with another power supply for performing a simultaneous arc welding operation at a plurality of locations of a workpiece. The method includes using a control target welding power supply together with another power supply for performing arc welding concurrently at a plurality of locations of a common workpiece, detecting a neck in a molten portion of a welding wire which is brought into short-circuiting contact with the common workpiece, reducing the welding current for forming an arc, and automatically adjusting a neck detection value.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a control device capable of suppressing trajectory misalignment due to deviation between the response delay times of a plurality of axes (a plurality of servomotors). In this control device, which issues commands to a plurality of servo drivers corresponding to a plurality of servomotors, the servo driver corresponding to a standard servomotor for which the response delay time is the greatest among the plurality of servomotors is set as a standard servo driver, and the command timing for the other servo drivers is delayed more than the command timing for the standard servo driver, by an amount equal to the difference between the response delay time of the standard servomotor and the response delay time of the servomotors corresponding to the other servo drivers.

Abstract: A range finder device for monitoring a 3D position of a robot processing tool relative to a tracking device mounted adjacent to the robot processing tool is disclosed. A body attachable to the tracking device supports a laser unit and a camera unit. The laser unit projects a triangulation laser mark on a target area of the processing tool. The mark, a tool center point and a processing area are in a field of view of the camera unit. A control unit controls operation of the laser unit and has an image analyzer circuit for receiving an image signal produced by the camera unit, producing triangulation laser measurement data from the triangulation laser mark in the image signal, generating a signal indicative of the position of the robot processing tool as function of the triangulation laser measurement data, and transmitting the image signal produced by the camera unit.

Abstract: An EtherCAT control device and a factory automation system having the same are provided. The EtherCAT control device includes a master including a dummy EtherCAT slave controller (ESC) and a first slave configured to communicate data with the master according to an EtherCAT protocol, such that the master synchronizes a timing with the first slave according to a precision time protocol (PTP) method using the dummy ESC.

Abstract: A system and methods for electrically starting an arc in a welding process are disclosed. The system and methods may reduce an electromagnetic interference (EMI) footprint during the arc start by reducing the average power spectral density output and broadening the frequency spectrum of the arc EMI footprint. In one embodiment, a welding system may include a welding torch and a welding power source electrically coupled to the welding torch via a weld cable configured to supply electrical energy to the welding torch. The welding power source may include pseudo-random noise (PRN) generator control logic circuitry configured to generate a dithered pulse waveform with a pseudo-randomly selected data sequence of binary values based on one or more baselines, and to apply the dithered pulse waveform to an oscillator during arc starting in a tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding process performed by the welding torch.

Abstract: A system and method of aligning with a reference target includes a computer-assisted medical device. The computer-assisted medical device includes an orientation platform, one or more first joints proximal to the orientation platform, one or more second joints distal to the orientation platform, one or more links distal to the orientation platform, a reference instrument coupled to the orientation platform by the second joints and the links; and a control unit coupled to the first joints and the second joints. The control unit determines a pose of the reference instrument. The pose includes a reference point and a reference orientation. The control unit further positions the orientation platform over the reference point using the first joints, rotates the orientation platform to align the orientation platform with the reference orientation using the first joints, and maintains the pose of the reference instrument using the second joints.

Abstract: A position correcting system, method and tool for guiding a tool during its use based on its location relative to the material being worked on. Provided is a system and tool which uses its auto correcting technology to precisely rout or cut material. The invention provides a camera which is used to track the visual features of the surface of the material being cut to build a map and locate an image on that map used to reference the location of the tool for auto-correction of the cutting path.

Abstract: A system and method is provided in which a welding system modulates the heat input into a weld joint during welding by changing between a high heat input welding waveform and a low heat input welding waveform. The system can utilize detected weld joint geometry and thickness to vary the utilization of the high heat and low heat waveform portions to change the weld bead profile during welding. Additionally, the wire feed speed is changed with the changes between the high heat input and low heat input portions of the welding waveform.

Abstract: An automated method for discovering features in a repeatable process includes measuring raw time series data during the process using sensors. The time series data describes multiple parameters of the process. The method includes receiving, via a first controller, the time series data from the sensors, and stochastically generating candidate features from the raw time series data using a logic block or blocks of the first controller. The candidate features are predictive of a quality of a work piece manufactured via the repeatable process. The method also includes determining, via a genetic or evolutionary programming module, which generated candidate features are most predictive of the quality of the work piece, and executing a control action with respect to the repeatable process via a second controller using the most predictive candidate features. A system includes the controllers, the programming module, and the sensors.

Abstract: This multi-joint link mechanism has a driving joint driven by a driving source and a follower joint driven by the movement of the driving joint. First, an open-loop link mechanism that allows the position and pose of a workpiece to be varied is selected from a multi-joint link mechanism. The amount of movement/rotation of each of the joints constituting the selected open-loop link mechanism is derived. The derived amounts of movement/rotation of each of the joints of the open-loop link mechanism are set as fixed values to derive the amount of movement/rotation of each of the joints of a closed-loop link mechanism composed of non-selected joints and at least some of the joints of the open-loop link mechanism.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device configured to form a first image on a first side of a recording medium and a second image on a second side of the recording medium, a position detector configured to detect respective positions of the first and second images, and a controller configured to perform, based on detection results obtained by the position detector, at least one of an image position correction by matching the first and second images and a magnification error correction by calculating and correcting a magnification error of one of the first and second images relative to the other. A program product used in the image forming apparatus includes a method of forming the first image and the second image, detecting the respective positions of the first and second images, and matching a position or a size of the first and second images.

Abstract: A tool path generating device (20) which generates a tool path (L1) for machining a hairline-shaped long narrow groove (Wa) of on a workpiece surface (W0), includes a shape data acquisition part which acquires shape data of a workpiece, a parameter setting part (23) which sets a shape parameter of a hairline corresponding to the long narrow groove (Wa), and a path generating part (24) which generates a tool path (L1) for a hairline machining, based on the shape data acquired by the data acquisition part and the shape parameter set by the parameter setting part (23).

Abstract: A laser beam welding diagnosis apparatus includes: an imaging unit configured to capture images of a laser beam welding penetration side of a laser beam welded portion at a predetermined time interval; a feature amount calculating unit configured to calculate, from an image captured by the imaging unit, a feature amount of a jetted portion accompanying laser beam welding penetration; a welding diagnosis unit configured to determine that a welding defect in the laser beam welded portion has occurred when values of the feature amounts of a predetermined area around the laser beam welded portion on the laser beam welding penetration side become equal to or less than a predetermined value for a predetermined duration or longer; and an output unit configured to output a welding quality state including the occurrence of the welding defect.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the localization of gripping points of objects, wherein the objects are scanned by means of a 3D sensor and the objects are illuminated by means of at least one first illumination unit while the objects are detected by means of a camera, wherein the relative positions of the 3D sensor, of the first illumination unit and of the camera with respect to one another are known and the 3D sensor, the first illumination unit and the camera are arranged in a fixed position with respect to one another. In this respect, the boundary of the objects is determined from a two-dimensional image generated by the camera, a spatial position is determined from detected distance information of the 3D sensor and of the two-dimensional image and the gripping points for the objects are determined from the boundaries and from the spatial position of the objects.

Abstract: A simulator facilitating virtual welding activity. The simulator may include a logic processor based subsystem operable to generate an interactive welding environment in virtual reality space that emulates welding activity by simulating a virtual weld puddle having dynamic, real time molten metal fluidity and heat dissipation characteristics, responsive to performing a simulated welding activity in real time. The simulator may include a foot pedal device in operative communication with the logic processor based subsystem and configured to affect a characteristic of the virtual weld puddle in real time, responsive to user control of the foot pedal device. The simulator may be configured to track the movements of a mock welding tool and a mock filler wire and determine interaction between the virtual weld puddle, a corresponding virtual welding tool, and a corresponding filler wire in virtual reality space that would result in the welding tool becoming contaminated.

Abstract: System and method for measuring an aerial image are provided. The system may include a lighting unit for providing illuminating light to pass through a mask to form initial light. An imaging unit is configured for imaging the initial light to form imaging light. A beam splitting unit is for splitting the imaging light into projection light and reference light. A projection light is projected to a substrate to form a mask image in the substrate, and the substrate reflects the projection light to form first reflected light onto the beam splitting unit. A reflecting unit is for receiving the reference light to form second reflected light, and for projecting the second reflected light onto the beam splitting unit, the second reflected light and the first reflected light interfering with each other to form interference light. A measuring unit is for measuring an aerial image formed from the interference light.

Abstract: An infrared vision sensing detection method and device for narrow-gap weld seam deviation are provided. The device includes a shaking (or rotating) arc narrow-gap welding torch, an arc current sensor, a computer image processing system, and an infrared photographing system. The infrared photographing system includes an infrared camera which acquires an infrared image of a welding region in an external triggering manner when an arc shakes (or rotates) to a position closest to the left side wall or right side wall of a groove. After computer image processing, a welding wire position and a groove edge information is extracted in real time, and a weld seam deviation is calculated according to position changes of a welding wire relative to the left side wall and the right side wall of the groove, and the weld seam deviation is output.

Abstract: A method for controlling a multiaxial jointed-arm robot. A plurality of reference data sets are recorded during a previous monitored reference travel. During an operational travel, a trajectory progress variable is established and is used to monitor the movement of the manipulator on the basis of the reference data sets.

Abstract: A robotic welding equipment station to detect deviation of a tool center point of a welding torch. The station is provided with pairs of light emitting and detecting devices to emit and detect two separate light beams. The pairs of light emitting devices and detectors are oriented at an angle and spaced apart from each other such that the two light beams are at an angle to one another and the weld wire electrode is able to simultaneously interrupt both light beams when there is no deviation in a tool center point. The spacing prevents the weld wire electrode from interrupting both light beams when an increasing deviation of the tool center point propagates along the length of the weld wire electrode. First and second output signals generated by the first and second light detectors are received by a means for detecting deviation of the tool center point.

Abstract: A welding-type component is disclosed having a single user input that requires a user to input only a single parameter to identify a welding-type process. From the single input, operating parameters for the welding-type process automatically are set or otherwise determined. The invention streamlines the welding-type process prescription process by allowing a user to input only a single parameter than can be used to determine and coordinate other parameters for the welding-type process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device (1) for simulating an electrode welding process having an electrode holder simulator (2) and a simulated electrode (3) arranged thereon, a simulated workpiece (4), an input device (6), an output device (7) and a control device (10). For the ideal training of an electrode welding process under conditions as real as possible, the control device (10) is connected to a memory (11) for storing parameters (Pi) of an ideal motion of the electrode holder simulator (2) during an ignition process and is designed for detecting the parameters (Pr) during an actual motion of the electrode holder simulator (2) and comparing them to the stored parameters (Pi) of the ideal motion of the electrode holder simulator during an ignition process and displaying the deviations between the parameters (Pr) of the actual motion and the parameters (Pi) of the ideal motion in the output device (7).

Abstract: Robotic control systems and methods may include providing an end effector tool of a robotic device configured to perform a task on a work surface within a worksite coordinate frame. Unintended movement over time of the end effector tool with respect to the work surface and with respect to the worksite coordinate frame may be determined based on image data indicative of the work surface, first location data indicative of a first location of the end effector tool with respect to the worksite coordinate frame, and second location data indicative of a second location of the end effector tool with respect to the work surface. One or more control signals for the robotic device may be adjusted in order to counteract the unintended movements of the end effector tool with respect to the work surface and worksite coordinate frame.

Abstract: A robot teaching device for teaching a robot offline, capable of setting target, advance and rotation angles of a tool, so that a flat and stable posture of the tool can be obtained. The teaching device has: a storing part which stores a combination of a plurality of processing portion shapes and the target and advance angles associated with each processing portion; a first setting part which sets the target and advance angles associated with the selected processing portion shape, as target and advance angles with respect to the designated processing portion shape; and a second setting part which rotates the tool about a longitudinal axis thereof while maintaining the target and advance angles, so as to calculate the rotation angle of the tool, wherein a height of a face plate of the robot from a horizon plane in the virtual space is maximum at the rotation angle.

Abstract: An apparatus for adaptive welding is provided. The apparatus includes an arc welding robot having a repositionable arc welding gun. The arc welding robot is configured to position the arc welding gun at a location of a joint formed at an interface of at least a first workpiece and a second workpiece. The apparatus further includes a thermographic imager that is configured to measure a temperature of at least one of the first workpiece and the second workpiece at the location. The apparatus also includes a controller that is in signal communication with the arc welding robot and the thermographic imager. The controller is configured to select a weld schedule for forming a weld at a location based at least in part on the temperature measured with the thermographic imager and a joint profile of the location before the weld is formed.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator includes a drive motor having rotatable drive shaft. A magnetic element is disposed on the drive shaft. A rotary-to-linear motion converter is driven by the rotatable drive shaft and includes a non-rotating actuator body that is linearly movable in a traveling direction. A Hall-effect sensor is disposed in a stationary manner proximal to the magnetic element disposed on the drive shaft. A controller is in electronic communication with the Hall-effect sensor. The controller counts the number of impulses output by the Hall-effect sensor when the drive shaft rotates relative to the Hall-effect sensor, and turns off the drive motor after a predetermined number of impulses have been counted since the start-up of the non-rotating actuator body. The controller may also count the number of times that the current of the drive motor exceeds a predetermined maximum value and store this counted value in a memory element.

Abstract: A system comprises light intensity detection circuitry and pixel data processing circuitry. The light intensity detection circuitry is operable to determine whether a welding arc is present based on an intensity of light incident captured by the light intensity detection circuitry, and generate a control signal indicating a result of the determination. A mode of operation of the image processing circuitry may be selected from a plurality of modes based on the control signal. The light intensity detection circuitry may comprise, for example, a passive infrared sensor, a photodiode, and/or circuitry of a camera. The pixel data processing circuitry may comprise, for example, circuitry of a camera, a special purpose graphics processing unit, and/or a general purpose processing unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring a lateral offset of an actual weld seam configuration relative to a desired weld seam configuration in particular in the motor vehicle sector, comprising the following steps: a) providing at least a first structural part having a geometric deviation in the region of the desired weld seam configuration; b) guiding a laser beam along the first structural part to produce a weld seam, forming a melt pool, thereby producing the actual weld seam configuration; and c) detecting a reflection from the melt pool simultaneously with step b).

Abstract: A torch for a welding or plasma cutting operation configured to provide information. The torch includes a torch body. The torch also includes indicators coupled to the torch body and control circuitry coupled to the indicators and configured to provide data relating to the welding or plasma cutting operation to the indicators.