Title: Seam tracking in laser welding using vision sensors

Authors: Zhigang Qu, Antti Salminen, Tapani Moisio

Addresses: Access Product R&D, Nokia Telecommunications, PO Box 12, FIN-0261 1, Espoo, Finland. ' Laser Processing Laboratory, Lappeenranta University of Technology, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland. ' Laser Processing Laboratory, Lappeenranta University of Technology, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland

Abstract: Examples of two different types of vision sensor are described, both capable of being used for seam tracking in laser welding: those based on scanning laser illumination and a linear optical detector (scanning sensors), and those based on structured light illumination and a CCD (charge coupled device) camera (structured light sensors). Their principles, features, performance and availability are described initially. The feasibility of integrating a vision sensor with a motion control unit is discussed, and the requirements of programming languages for seam tracking in laser welding using a vision sensor are outlined. Finally, an experimental seam tracking system for laser welding is presented, which has been successfully used for solving problems in a number of industrial applications.

Keywords: CCD cameras; laser welding; linear optical detectors; motion control; seam tracking; vision sensors.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.1996.036331

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 1996 Vol.11 No.3/4, pp.276 - 283

Published online: 02 Nov 2010 *

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