Abstract: Disclosed is a system having a robotic welding system, a controller, a camera, and a processor. The robotic welding system is configured to weld metal sections together in accordance with a plurality of welding variables. The controller is configured to automatically control the robotic welding system. The camera captures sequential images of the welding performed by the robotic welding system. According to an embodiment, the processor is configured to process the sequential images to determine when a selected welding state is to change to a next welding state based on the selected welding state and multiple consistent determinations of the next welding state, and to signal that change to the controller to effect a change in how the welding is performed by the robotic welding system. By considering multiple consistent determinations of the next welding state, there can be a high probability that the next welding state is correct.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for controlling a welding machine comprising an electrode lead and a workpiece lead connectible to one of a plurality of welding platforms. An example method comprises determining if the workpiece lead is connected to a desired welding platform mounting a workpiece to be welded, and only applying a welding current to the electrode lead when the workpiece lead is connected to the desired welding platform. Determining if the workpiece lead is connected to the desired welding platform may comprise applying a probing current to the electrode lead and contacting the electrode lead to a workpiece mounted on one of the plurality of welding platforms, and monitoring current through ground connections of the welding platforms and determining that the workpiece lead is connected to the desired welding platform if less than a threshold current level is detected flowing through any ground connection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system having a robotic welding apparatus configured to weld metal sections together along a seam, an input device configured to produce positioning input for the robotic welding apparatus while welding, and a controller configured to control the robotic welding apparatus in accordance with (i) a recording state in which operation of the robotic welding apparatus is controlled and recorded while welding in a root pass based on the positioning input to produce recorded positioning data, and (ii) an automatic state in which operation of the robotic welding apparatus is automatically controlled while welding in a subsequent pass based on the recorded positioning data. In accordance with an embodiment, motion of the robotic welding apparatus is selectively recorded such that the recorded positioning data utilized in the automatic state omits (i) initial transient motions of the robotic welding apparatus and/or (ii) stop-start motions of the robotic welding apparatus.