Abstract: A method of aligning first and second pipes end-to-end in a position ready for welding. Each pipe has an end bevelled with a shape scanned and stored in memory of a control unit. At least one of the pipes has machine readable codes distributed around their circumference of the pipe. The method includes effecting relative movement of the ends of the first and second pipes towards each other, reading at least one of the codes with a reader, and ascertaining the relative movement required to align the pipes in accordance with a target orientation. The relative movement is ascertained with information provided by the read code and the shapes of the bevelled ends stored in the control unit memory. In other aspects, a closed loop control method and machine-learning may be used to align the pipes. A pipe-laying vessel including pipe handling equipment and the control unit is also provided.

Abstract: The machine includes a working head with a focusing device arranged to focus a laser beam on the surface of a tube or profiled section to be worked, a carriage and a scanning system arranged to scan a portion of the outline of the cross-section of the tube or profiled section. The working head and laser scanning module are mounted on the carriage, and the carriage is able to translate with respect to the tube or profiled section in longitudinal and transverse directions such that the working head and laser scanning module translate with the carriage. The scanning system includes at least one laser scanning module including a laser emitter arranged to emit a light blade with which to illuminate a portion of the tube or profiled section and a camera arranged to acquire an image of the portion of tube or profiled section illuminated by the light blade.

Abstract: A method of aligning first and second pipes end-to-end in a position ready for welding. Each pipe has an end bevelled with a shape scanned and stored in memory of a control unit. At least one of the pipes has machine readable codes distributed around their circumference of the pipe. The method includes effecting relative movement of the ends of the first and second pipes towards each other, reading at least one of the codes with a reader, and ascertaining the relative movement required to align the pipes in accordance with a target orientation. The relative movement is ascertained with information provided by the read code and the shapes of the bevelled ends stored in the control unit memory. In other aspects, a closed loop control method and machine-learning may be used to align the pipes. A pipe-laying vessel including pipe handling equipment and the control unit is also provided.

Abstract: The machine comprises: a working head (12) with a focussing device (18) arranged to focus a laser beam on the surface of the tube or profiled section (T) to be worked, a carriage (26) on which the working head (12) is mounted and a scanning system (20) arranged to scan at least a portion of the outline of the cross-section of the tube or profiled section (T). The carriage (26) is able to translate with respect to the tube or profiled section (T) both in a longitudinal direction (x) coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the tube or profiled section (T) and in a transverse direction (y). The scanning system (20) comprises at least one laser scanning module (20) comprising a laser emitter (22) arranged to emit a light blade (L) with which to illuminate a portion of the tube or profiled section (T) and a camera (24) arranged to acquire an image of the portion of tube or profiled section (T) illuminated by the light blade (L).

Abstract: Laser cutting processes are provided which are controlled using as a reference signal one or more emission lines which are characteristic of the radiation emitted by a gas or, more generally, by an emitting element present in the volume irradiated by the laser beam focussed by a laser head and adjusting, on the basis of this reference signal, at least one of the following process control parameters: the power of the laser, the frequency and the duty cycle of the laser pulse, the pressure of an assisting gas emitted by a nozzle forming part of the laser head, the relative speed of the laser head with respect to the workpiece, the distance between the laser head and the surface of the workpiece, and the distance between the focal point of the laser beam and the surface of the workpiece. Laser cutting devices are also provided.

Abstract: Laser cutting processes are provided which are controlled using as a reference signal one or more emission lines which are characteristic of the radiation emitted by a gas or, more generally, by an emitting element present in the volume irradiated by the laser beam focussed by a laser head and adjusting, on the basis of this reference signal, at least one of the following process control parameters: the power of the laser, the frequency and the duty cycle of the laser pulse, the pressure of an assisting gas emitted by a nozzle forming part of the laser head, the relative speed of the laser head with respect to the workpiece, the distance between the laser head and the surface of the workpiece, and the distance between the focal point of the laser beam and the surface of the workpiece. Laser cutting devices are also provided.

Abstract: A robot system having a manual guide device connected to the robot in wireless data communication with a portable terminal for use in programming the robot.

Abstract: A robot system having a manual guide device connected to the robot in wireless data communication with a portable terminal for use in programming the robot.