Use of Low Cost Vision System for Monitoring Distortions During Multilayer Deposition in GMAW Welding Process

Abstract:

Bodies when subjected to temperature variations tend to show dimensional changes. Welded components, that are affected by high temperatures, present distortions due to permanent changes in shape and dimensions resulting from plastic deformations. These deformations are consequences of the thermal cycles caused by the welding process. In order to guarantee the project specifications and minimize thermal effects, a welding procedure is developed which, among others, defines the sequence of passes to be deposited, as well as necessary treatments after the process. The high costs associated with guaranteeing the necessary result that minimize distortions, refer to a study on the control of deformations to which the welded components are subjected. Thus, it is necessary to develop a methodology for continuous and dynamic monitoring of distortions caused by arc welding processes, such as robotic GMAW. Adopting a low-cost vision system, which collects the points where lasers are fixed on the parts, the beams are projected on a panel during the robotized GMAW arc welding process, thus allowing the data to be used to feed the system and guarantee new trajectories and parameter corrections to minimize deformations in multilayer processes.

Key-words:
Monitoring; Simulation; Computer vision; Robotics; Additive manufacturing