Ship structures are fabricated from steel plates with thousands of reinforcing stiffeners welded to them. Each stiffener requires a quality weld. Existing welding machinery typically use a mechanical or electronic torch tracking system. Quality welds can be obtained with both systems, but each has drawbacks. The mechanical guidance systems are not capable of tracking all weld joints. Electronic systems command a sizable investment. Electronic guidance system prices can be up to $50,000 per torch. A typical automated stiffener welding machine can contain as many as 8 weld torches, along with 8 guidance systems. Phase 1 of our project is to develop a low cost tracking system with superior tracking and minimal maintenance. The torch tracking will be a no touch 0x9D system that does not require contact with the weld joint and will have no contact parts to wear out or be damaged. Our objective is to show the feasibility of an operational system with high quality characteristics. Existing welding machinery can be retrofitted or upgraded to use this system. Our goal is to provide a touchless tracking system at a significantly lower cost than competitive systems. A Phase 2 prototype will confirm that this price is realistic.
Benefit: Affordable torch tracking systems will increase weld quality while reducing ship construction costs. This system will have widespread use in Naval ship construction and related industries.
Keywords: welding, welding, tracking, stiffener, guidance
