Abstract: A system and method provide gasless, mechanized, field welding of an exterior of a tubular structure such as a pipeline, without the need for an enclosure. An embodiment consolidates some of the welding equipment on a skid for ease of transport to and from a remote worksite. The gasless weld may be achieved despite the presence of wind, by precisely controlling an arc voltage as disclosed. The footprint and weight of the system may be minimized, along with the associated labor, expense, and environmental impact otherwise incurred by conventional welding techniques using enclosures.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for obtaining a desirable shielding gas flow in a welding device. The system includes a user interface configured for a user to input the size of the nozzle, a processor that is configured to calculate a desirable flow rate of shielding gas based at least in part on the input nozzle size, and a flow regulator that is configured to control the flow of the shielding gas in order to obtain the desirable flow rate.

Abstract: A resistance weld shielding control system includes a computer that is executed to control a fixture to receive and hold at least one part to be welded. The computer also controls one or more electrodes to apply electrical energy to the part for welding the at least one part, and controls a gas delivery system to direct an inert gas onto the part for shielding the part from the ambient atmosphere via a nozzle. The nozzle is configured in the fixture such that the fixture holds the nozzle in a fixed physical relationship to the part.

Abstract: In an arc start control method for forward and reverse feed arc welding in which forward and reverse feed control of alternately switching a feed speed Fw of a welding wire between a forward feed period and a reverse feed period is performed to generate a short circuit period and an arc period to perform welding, at arc start, a pulse period Tp during which a pulse current is energized for a plurality of number of times is provided, and thereafter forward and reverse feed control is started from forward feed period of the welding wire. During the pulse period Tp, a forward feed speed Fp of the welding wire is set so that the arc period is continuous. In addition, the forward feed speed Fp is changed based on a time length of pulse period Tp and/or a value of a welding voltage Vw during pulse period Tp.

Abstract: A linear object handling structure of a robot that includes a base to be fixed to an installed surface, and a rotary barrel supported to be rotatable around a vertical rotary axis with respect to the base, and is provided with, in a region including the rotary axis, a through hole vertically penetrating through a top board of the base, and a hollow portion having a cylindrical inner surface extending inside the rotary barrel from the through hole along the rotary axis. A mechanism unit cable of the robot passes from an inside of the base to an upper part of the rotary barrel through the through hole and the hollow portion, and is fixed in the inside of the base and at the upper part of the rotary barrel while the mechanism unit cable is bent inside the hollow portion and is pressed against the inner surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for transferring media from an industrial robot to a tool, and an industrial robot including the device. The device comprises a swivel adapter (1) having a body (5) including a first coupling unit (7) arranged in one end of the body for coupling the swivel adapter to the robot, and second coupling unit (9) arranged in an opposite end of the body for coupling the swivel adapter to the tool, and a distance element (13) having a lower portion (15) attached to the first coupling unit and an upper portion (17) attached to the second coupling unit, wherein the first and second coupling units are spaced apart from each other along a common central axis (C1) so that a gap (11) is formed between them. The lower portion of the distance element is disposed at a distance the periphery of the first coupling unit, and the second coupling unit is provided with a penetration hole (19) in communication with the gap (11).

Abstract: Aspects of a welding-type cable and torch are provided. The welding-type cable includes a power conductor to conduct welding-type power and a weld torch interface on a distal end of the welding-type cable to attach a weld torch to the power conductor. The welding-type torch includes a power connector to transfer welding-type power between the welding-type torch and a power conductor of a welding-type cable that is detachably coupled to the power connector. An electrode to perform a welding-type operation using the welding-type power is also provided.

Abstract: Safety systems in distributed factory workcells intercommunicate or communicate with a central controller so that when a person, robot or vehicle passes from one workcell or space into another on the same factory floor, the new workcell or space need not repeat the tasks of analysis and classification and can instead immediately integrate the new entrant into the existing workcell or space-monitoring schema. The workcell or space can also communicate attributes such as occlusions, unsafe areas, movement speed, and object trajectories, enabling rapid reaction by the monitoring system of the new workcell or space.

Abstract: Systems and methods to utilize an electronic garage shelf are described. The system includes an electronic garage shelf which may be a metaphor for a shelf in a garage that is used to store parts for a vehicle. For example, the electronic garage shelf may store a token part that signifies a part or smart component such as an oil filter on a garage shelf in the user's garage. Further, the metaphor for a shelf in the garage may be expanded to include a virtual part to signify a part or smart component the user wants to acquire. Accordingly, the system may include garage shelf information comprised of virtual part information and token part information where the virtual part information may store virtual parts signifying parts that are desirable for acquisition and the token part information may store token parts signifying parts that are in the possession of the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for correcting errors in a manipulator system, wherein the manipulator system comprises at least one manipulator and is controlled by means of at least one manipulator program, wherein the method comprises the following method steps: ?providing at least one manipulator program, wherein the manipulator program comprises several operations; ?combining at least two of the operations to form at least one operation structure; ?defining at least one placement point (AP1, AP2), wherein the at least one placement point (AP1, AP2) forms the start andor the end of an operation structure (310); ?providing at least one reaction structure (320) and assigning the reaction structure (320) to an operation structure (310), wherein tlte at least one reaction structure (320) contains reaction operations (R1 to Rn), upon the execution of which, the manipulator program controls the manipulator system such that it is passed into a system state which corresponds to a placement point (AP1, AP2); ?ex

Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method for welder system that relates to creating a welding sequence for a welding environment in which the welding sequence is based upon real time data collected from a performed or previously performed welding procedure. Welding procedure information is collected and utilized to create a welding sequence to perform two or more welds in which at least one parameter is based on the collected welding procedure information (e.g., real world welding procedure).

Abstract: Systems and methods to aid a welder or welding student. A system may provide a real-world arc welding system or a virtual reality arc welding system along with a computerized eyewear device having a head-up display (HUD). The computerized eyewear device may be worn by a user under a conventional welding helmet as eye glasses are worn and may wirelessly communicate with a welding power source of a real-world arc welding system or a programmable processor-based subsystem of a virtual reality arc welding system.

Abstract: A system is provided for performing an operation on a component of an engine. The component includes a first side positioned within an interior of the engine. The system includes a first robotic arm defining a first distal end and including a first utility member positioned at the first distal end, the first robotic arm moveable to the interior of the engine to a location operably adjacent to the first side of the component; and a second robotic arm defining a second distal end and including a second utility member positioned at the second distal end, the second robotic arm also moveable to the interior of the engine to facilitate the first and second utility members performing the operation on the component of the engine.

Abstract: Present embodiments include an additive manufacturing tool configured to receive a metallic anchoring material and to supply a plurality of droplets to a part, wherein each droplet of the plurality of droplets comprises the metallic anchoring material and a mechanical oscillation system configured to mechanically oscillate a structural component of the additive manufacturing tool toward and away from the part, wherein the mechanical oscillation system comprises a motor, a cam coupled to the motor, and a piston coupled to the cam, wherein the piston is fixedly attached to the structural component.

Abstract: A nozzle device includes three or more rail members, three or more slider members, three or more arm members, a nozzle portion, and a drive mechanism. The three or more rail members each includes rails parallel with each other. The three or more slider members are connected to the rail members to be movable along the rails, respectively. The three or more arm members are connected to the slider members, and movably and rotatably supported in the rail members through the slider members, respectively. The nozzle portion is rotatably connected to the three or more arm members to inject a material and emit an energy beam. The drive mechanism includes at least five actuators that set one of a relative position and a relative angle between each of combinations of two mutually connected elements among the rail members, the slider members, the arm members, and the nozzle portion.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system configured to manufacture a component including scan strategies for efficient utilization of one or more laser arrays. The additive manufacturing system includes at least one laser device, each configured as a laser array, and a build platform. Each laser device is configured to generate a plurality of laser beams. The component is disposed on the build platform. The at least one laser device is configured to sweep across the component and the build platform in at least one of a radial direction, a circumferential direction or a modified zig-zag pattern and simultaneously operate the one or more of the plurality of individually operable laser beams corresponding to a pattern of the layer of a build to generate successive layers of a melted powdered material on the component and the build platform corresponding to the pattern of the layer of the build. A method of manufacturing a component with the additive manufacturing system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making a sink with a supporting structure, comprising: drawing a sink including at least one basin and a rim extending outwardly from at least one side of the at least one basin; and coupling a support structure in the form of at least one channel to an underside of the at least one side of the rim using a tool; wherein the tool includes a channel support configured to receive one channel of the at least one channels.

Abstract: A device and method for alignment of parts for welding, having a bottom welding fixture and a top welding fixture. The bottom welding fixture has a plurality of fixed locating pins for positioning of parts to be welded and limiting movement of the parts in a first axis and a perpendicular second axis. At least pair of alignment block assemblies to actuate movement of the parts to be welded in the first and second axes. The alignment block assembly having an alignment block moveable from a first position to a second position for contacting and aligning the parts. An actuator coupled to the top welding or bottom welding fixture to actuate movement of the alignment block from the first position to the second position upon engagement of the top welding fixture to the bottom welding fixture.

Abstract: A modular work cell for a production robot includes a base module, on which at least one production robot is arranged, disposed inside the modular work cell. The modular work cell further includes wall elements, a control cabinet, an access, and a feed unit for workpieces which is arranged between the access and the production robot. The base module, the control cabinet, the feed unit and the access form a mechanically and electrically interconnected transport assembly configured for transport. The wall elements can be transported separate from the transport assembly.

Abstract: A laser remote processing system, in particular a laser remote welding system, has a laser cell surrounded by a protective housing, in which a working robot having a remote laser tool and a first processing station in the working region of the working robot are arranged. In order to improve the efficiency of the system, a second processing station in the working region of the working robot, and at least one handling robot are furthermore arranged within the protective housing, it being possible to reposition workpieces between the first processing station or the second processing station and a buffer region with the handling robot. The buffer region is set up to receive workpieces and is integrated into the protective housing as an automatably actuable workpiece lock.

Abstract: Various welding accessory apparatus are disclosed herein. A welding accessory apparatus can include a welding lens and a vacuum assembly. The welding lens can be configured to filter at least one of ultraviolet, infrared, and visible light to a shade number of at least two. The vacuum assembly can have at least one intake aperture positioned proximate to the welding lens. A welding accessory apparatus can include a welding lens and a flexible curtain. The welding lens can be configured to filter at least one of ultraviolet, infrared, and visible light to a shade number of at least two. The flexible curtain can be positioned proximate to the welding lens and can be configured to provide protection from sparks and spatter generated during welding. A welding accessory apparatus can include a shielding strip and a fastening member. The shielding strip can be one of fabric and flexible film. The shielding strip can be configured to provide protection from sparks and spatter generated during welding.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing a number of utilities. The number of utilities may be coupled between a number of utility sources and a utility fixture. The number of utilities may be coupled between the utility fixture and a mobile system.

Abstract: A 3D metal printing machine or apparatus includes a welder that deposits one or more layers of metal, and a powered cutting tool that may be utilized to remove a portion of the metal deposited by the welder after the metal has solidified. Numerous layers of metal can be deposited and machined to form complex 3D metal parts. During fabrication, a part may be formed on a support whereby the part can be fabricated by welding and machining operations without removing the part from the support. A 3D CAD model of a part may be utilized to generate code that controls the 3D metal printing apparatus. A measuring device such as a probe or laser scanner may be utilized to measure the shape/size of parts in the 3D metal printing machine.

Abstract: A robotic welding system comprises a supporting arm for attaching to a repositionable support structure, the supporting arm comprising a first mounting portion connectable to the repositionable support structure, and a second mounting portion rotatably coupled to the first mounting portion. A yaw rotary actuator rotates the second mounting portion about a yaw axis. A welding arm comprises a third mounting portion rotatably coupled to the second mounting portion of the supporting arm. A pitch rotary actuator rotates the third mounting portion about a pitch axis generally perpendicular to the yaw axis. A roll rotary actuator rotates a torch holder shaft about a roll axis generally perpendicular to the pitch axis. The shaft has a torch mounting portion for mounting a welding torch at an end thereof. A controller is operably coupled to the actuators to cause the welding torch to execute a welding pattern.

Abstract: A control system, a controller, a control method and a recording medium capable of preventing damage to a cable occurring during an operation under control of a scara robot are provided. A control system includes a scara robot 300 and a controller configured to control the scara robot 300. The controller includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a target position of a control object in the scara robot 300 and a decision unit configured to decide a rotational direction of an operation tool 332 so that a cable 333 does not collide with a component of the scara robot 300 when the control object moves to the target position.

Abstract: A robot includes a base; an articulated arm provided on the base; a sensor that is provided on the base and detects external force applied to the articulated arm; a controller that causes the articulated arm to perform a stop motion on a basis of a detected value of the sensor; and a cable having one end connected to devices mounted on a tip-side arm member of the articulated arm, and having the other end connected to the controller that controls the devices wherein the cable enters into the articulated arm from an arm member, passes through arm members which are disposed closer to the base side than the arm member is, and is connected to the controller.

Abstract: Embodiments for performing manufacture processes are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a tool to be used in a manufacture process on a workpiece. The system includes a robot having an arm. The arm has an attachment point and is configured to move the tool, when attached to the attachment point, in multiple degrees of freedom during the manufacture process. A robot controller of the robot controls the movement of the arm based on motion parameters to perform the manufacture process via the tool. The system includes a power source having power electronics to generate electrical output power, based on electrical input parameters, provided to the tool during the manufacture process. A power source controller of the power source is configured to communicate with the robot controller, allowing a path planner component to generate the motion parameters used to perform the manufacture process while avoiding robot collision conflicts.

Abstract: Provided are: an arc welding method that suppresses occurrences of blow holes in initial parts and final parts in a Zn plated steel sheet and reduces the occupancy ratio for blow holes in the welded part as a whole; and a welded joint.

Abstract: A pipe assembly station for performing operations on a field joint during pipe assembly has an active rail extending around an opening through which the pipe can pass. Tool carriages are arranged to traverse along the active rail and around a periphery of the pipe. The station also comprises a standby position, distanced from the active rail and a switch arranged to transfer the tool carriage from the active rail to the standby position. By providing such a combination of a rail and a standby position, a tool carriage can be brought into position on the active rail to perform a pipe joining operation and can be subsequently set back to the standby position, where it is out of the way of operations taking place on the pipe. Such a switching arrangement allows for more effective use of the limited space around the joint.

Abstract: A method of constraining operation of a robot includes receiving, using network interface hardware of a robot, one or more robotic control instructions from a user, where the robotic control instructions instruct the robot to perform a robotic movement, determining whether the user providing the one or more robotic control instructions to the robot is a primary user or a secondary user, and comparing the robotic movement instructed by the one or more robotic control instructions with one or more robotic operation constraints. The method further includes determining whether the robotic movement instructed by the one or more robotic control instructions conflicts with the one or more robotic operation constraints and constraining operation of the robot when the user is the secondary user and the robotic movement instructed by the one or more robotic control instructions conflicts with the one or more robotic operation constraints.

Abstract: A surgical instrument support arm of a teleoperated patient side cart may include a first arm portion including a first connector end and a second a second arm portion including a second connector end. The second arm portion may be removably connectable to the first arm portion via mating engagement of the first and second connector ends. The first and second connector ends may each include complementary mechanical connections and complementary electrical connections. At least one of the electrical connections of the first and second connector ends may include electrical shielding to protect against electrical interference in a position in which the electrical connections are matingly engaged. The electrical shielding may be configured to axially compress when the electrical connections of the first and second connector ends are matingly engaged.

Abstract: A welding system includes components equipped with digital communications circuitry for synchronization and coordination of tasks associated with the welding operation. The tasks may be initiated and terminated independently or in coordination based upon synchronization of this circuitry. Certain of the tasks may be performed by the components in an open-loop manner or in a closed-loop manner based upon feedback of welding parameters. Moreover, certain tasks may be independent of one another, or interdependent although carried out in parallel by the different system component.

Abstract: An ergonomic welding arm (1) includes a plurality of arm links (14, 20, 24) coupled by a plurality of joints (12, 18, 22). Each of the plurality of joints (12, 18, 22) is configured to allow the plurality of arm links (14, 20, 24) to be rotated about an axis with respect to a directly adjacent arm link (14, 20, 24). A first end of the welding arm (1) is configured to engage a support (4) for supporting the welding arm (1). A second end of the welding arm (1) is configured to engage a welding torch (10).

Abstract: A self-adjusting wire feeder mounting assembly includes a mount fixedly connectable to a multi-axis robotic arm, and a slidable, floating adapter plate for mounting of a wire feeder thereon. The adapter plate is coupled with and slidable about the mount, and the adapter plate is moveable relative to the mount when a force is applied to the wire feeder.

Abstract: Methods and devices for control for an automated welding system are provided. Disclosed control methods may include receiving a data set including one or more features of a joint to be welded and receiving a weld procedure for the joint to be welded. The weld procedure for the joint is determined based on a sample virtual weld performed by an operator, a stored procedure developed for a substantially similar weld joint, or a combination thereof. The method may further include determining one or more desired changes to the weld procedure based on the received features of the joint to be welded and generating an updated weld procedure by altering one or more parameters of the received weld procedure in accordance with the one or more desired changes, wherein the one or more parameters are included within a predetermined allowable data set.

Abstract: A pipe processing tool that is configured to deform the end of a pipe so that the circumferential shape of the end of the pipe generally matches the circumferential shape of an adjacent pipe end. Matching the circumferential shapes of the pipe ends is advantageous during a pipe attachment process. The pipe processing tool can include a deformation ring with a plurality of pipe deformation members. Each pipe deformation member faces radially inward and is actuatable in a radial direction toward and away from the center of the deformation ring in order to permit engagement with the pipe. Each pipe deformation member is individually and separately actuatable from the other pipe deformation members so that the circumferential shapes of the pipes can be altered by controlling suitable ones of the pipe deformation members.

Abstract: Cement or other liquid-like material fills the hollow tubes of a machine tool under construction. The machine tool structures are held rigidly against a fixture while the substance dries. The machine tool so constructed is relatively lightweight and rigid, and obviates the need for precision machining of large portions of the apparatus.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a master node device. The master node device includes communication circuitry configured to facilitate communication with a welding power supply unit via a long-range communication link, and to facilitate wireless communication with one or more welding-related devices via a short-range wireless communication network.

Abstract: An app store includes a plurality of state machines that describe the function of a product. The system allows a user to select at least one app from this plurality of apps. The user may also customize the state machine represented by the app or parameters thereof. The selected state machine can be translated into a format readable by a semiconductor device in a target platform without requiring the user to generate computer code. The app store can also transact rights to use the app represented by the state machine. The state machine may be executed in a simulation environment, on a reference platform or development board, or on a semiconductor device in an end-user product to facilitate control in accordance with the state machine defined by the state machine.

Abstract: A weld overlay system includes a workpiece jig holding a workpiece in manner that the workpiece center axis direction is parallel to X-axis direction, and rotates the workpiece in circumferential direction, a carriage, welding base supported on the carriage in manner that the welding base is displaceable with respect to the carriage in Y-axis direction and Z-axis direction, at least one pair of rollers and welding torch are supported on the welding base, and like. Pair of rollers include rotary shafts extend in parallel with the X-axis and are spaced apart from each other in Y-axis direction. The rollers are pressed against portion of the workpiece above the workpiece center axis C. The welding torch is supported on the welding base in manner that distances in Y-axis direction from the rotary shafts of the pair of rollers to the tip end of the welding torch are equal to each other.

Abstract: A system, computer-implemented method, and article for controlling a user interface of a portable welding system are described. An input signal receiver, operable on a processor, is configured to receive one or more input signals from one or more input devices. A display controller, operable on the processor, is configured to receive, input information based upon the one or more input signals. A display device is configured to display a user interface provided by the display controller, the user interface including a first portion including an adjustable value and a second portion including a non-adjustable value. The display controller is configured to highlight changes to the non-adjustable value based upon changes made using the one or more input devices to the adjustable value.

Abstract: An end effector is an end effector to be grasped by a robot including a hand having a plurality of first movable parts and a second movable part using the hand, including an operation unit operated by movements of the second movable part in first directions, and an actuation unit actuated by an operation of the operation unit, wherein concave portions into which the first movable parts are inserted are formed.

Abstract: A moving mechanism brings the rotational axis of each driven rotator into alignment with the rotational axis of a drive rotator, which has an engaging face extending along its rotational axis. Each driven rotator has an engageable face extending along the rotational axis of the drive rotator. Rotating the drive rotator while moving the driven rotator, of which the rotational axis is aligned with the rotational axis, toward the drive rotator will bring the engaging face into engagement with the engageable face.

Abstract: A welding parameter derivation device of a welding machine having a torch and a weaving mechanism derives welding parameters in accordance with the cross-sectional shape of a weld portion of a new base metal. A database stores welding parameter data, and a welding parameter computation unit computes welding parameters for the shape of a groove or joint of a new base metal. Based on past welding parameter data for a shape similar to that of a groove or joint of a new base metal, and input data pertaining to the specifications of the welding machine, the computation unit derives welding parameter data for the new base metal, taking into account a parameter of the cross-sectional area of the weld portion formed on the new base metal, the bead height of the weld portion, the quantity of heat inputted to the new base metal, and a torch weaving parameter.

Abstract: A series of time-sequenced heat energy data arrays or data stream sets of a weld process region are processed by a weld data array or data stream processing system to produce a heat energy data set output that is related to weld process region features or weld process region heat energy data. The heat energy data set output can be displayed to a system user and modified by system user input to the weld data array or data stream processing system; alternatively, or in combination, the system user output and input, the heat energy data set output, or data produced from the heat energy data set output by the weld data array or data stream processing system, can be transmitted to a weld process controller to adjust parameters in the weld process responsive to the output of the weld data array or data stream processing system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for improving robotic task selection and execution. An example method includes determining an external environment state based on receiving information indicative of at least one aspect of an environment proximate to a robotic system having at least one actuator. The method also includes optionally determining a goal to be accomplished by a robotic system and determining a plurality of possible tasks each including at least one task involving the at least one actuator that may be carried out by the robotic system in pursuance of the goal. For each possible task group, the method includes determining a respective task group score based on an expected performance capability. The expected performance capability is based, at least in part, on the external environment state. The method includes selecting a task group based on the respective task group scores.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single- or multi-wire welding torch (6), more specifically to a laser-hybrid single- or multi-wire welding head provided with the welding torch (6) which can be connected to a welding device via a hose pack and consists of several parts such as a torch handle, a tubular welding torch housing, a contact housing, a contact tube for each welding wire (21a, 21b), a gas nozzle (2) etc., wherein an internal insert (28) for receiving the contact tube(s) (20a, 20b) and the gas nozzle (2) is mounted in an end area of the welding torch housing. A fixing element (30) made at least partially of a flexible material is placed on the internal insert (28) or on the housing (2) for producing as required an, in particular, gas-tight connection between said internal insert (28) and the gas nozzle (2) pushed thereon. This connection can be established by the spatial extension of the fixing element.

Abstract: A welding clamp uses opposing metal pieces to clamp two pieces of sheet metal together with a defined gap between panels for the purpose of welding, in this case, butt welding. The clamp has an integral copper backing plate to provide weld backing support and thermal dissipation to the metal for improved butt weld results. The integral copper backing plate adds stiffness to the adjoined panels while providing a solid non-weldable backing support to the panels being joined, reducing or eliminating weld blow-through.

Abstract: An arc welding system includes a feeder to feed a consumable electrode to a welding torch. A power source supplies power to between the electrode and an object. A welding controller controls the feeder and the power source to cause a short-circuit state and an arc state to repeat between the electrode and the object. A robot moves the welding torch along a welding line. A robot controller controls the robot. A detector detects whether a state between the electrode and the object is the short-circuit state or the arc state. A determiner determines whether a first period or a second period has elapsed since the detector detected the arc state. An instructor instructs the robot controller to decelerate the welding torch when the determiner determines that the first period has elapsed, and to stop the welding torch when the determiner determines that the second period has elapsed.

Abstract: A robot system control method includes a first step through a fifth step. Particularly in the second step, a second transformation matrix that represents the positional relation between a first slave robot and a second slave robot is generated and stored in a master robot. In the fourth step, based on a second command obtained using a first transformation matrix and the second transformation matrix, the master robot instructs the second slave robot to operate. In the fifth step, the first slave robot and the second slave robot perform a cooperative operation with the master robot. Thus, in the state where a working robot that can perform TCP matching with only part of the other robots is set to a master robot, all of the robots can perform a cooperative operation.