Abstract: An automated method for straightening/correcting deformations made to panels when welded to metallic structural components is disclosed. In the train industry, when an aluminum component, such as a vehicle's exterior shell, is welded to hidden structural parts, deformations thereon may occur. Such deformations need to be subsequently corrected, and the present method uses robots and optical measuring of the deformed surfaces to conduct a straightening thereof. The method includes four main steps. First, the deformed surface is scanned with an optical sensor to make physical measures/characterizations thereof. Second, the gathered data are compared with the desired resultant by a software. Third, once the comparison is done, the software performs an analysis to select the proper parameters to be used in the straightening method that will be applied at each area requiring straightening. Finally, a robot executes the operations specified by the software to perform the straightening process.

Abstract: A laser containment device, adapted to be mounted to a laser head, has an outer shell and an inner wall defining a peripheral chamber there in-between. An inner seal and an outer seal, respectively mounted to the outer shell and to the inner wall, are adapted to contact a workpiece. The peripheral chamber, encircling an opening in the laser containment device for letting a laser beam reach a workpiece, may be connected to a differential pressure generator operative to generate a differential pressure therein. A pressure sensor is located within the peripheral chamber to read the differential pressure. In use, the laser head, mounted to a computer-controlled manipulator, emits its laser beam. The pressure sensor sends its pressure readings to a controller which compares their values with a predetermined pressure threshold. If the pressure readings cross this threshold, the controller stops the emission of the laser beam.

Abstract: An automated method for straightening/correcting deformations made to panels when welded to metallic structural components is disclosed. In the train industry, when an aluminum component, such as a vehicle's exterior shell, is welded to hidden structural parts, deformations thereon may occur. Such deformations need to be subsequently corrected, and the present method uses robots and optical measuring of the deformed surfaces to conduct a straightening thereof. The method includes four main steps. First, the deformed surface is scanned with an optical sensor to make physical measures/characterizations thereof. Second, the gathered data are compared with the desired resultant by a software. Third, once the comparison is done, the software performs an analysis to select the proper parameters to be used in the straightening method that will be applied at each area requiring straightening. Finally, a robot executes the operations specified by the software to perform the straightening process.

Abstract: A laser containment device, adapted to be mounted to a laser head, has an outer shell and an inner wall defining a peripheral chamber there in-between. An inner seal and an outer seal, respectively mounted to the outer shell and to the inner wall, are adapted to contact a workpiece. The peripheral chamber, encircling an opening in the laser containment device for letting a laser beam reach a workpiece, may be connected to a differential pressure generator operative to generate a differential pressure therein. A pressure sensor is located within the peripheral chamber to read the differential pressure. In use, the laser head, mounted to a computer-controlled manipulator, emits its laser beam. The pressure sensor sends its pressure readings to a controller which compares their values with a predetermined pressure threshold. If the pressure readings cross this threshold, the controller stops the emission of the laser beam.