Welding method

Abstract

In order to simplify the availability of information on the implemented welding method, a welding method is provided for locking and connecting at least two components (5) with the aid of at least one additive (Z) material, wherein a weld seam (N) comprising the additive (Z) is produced, which weld seam has a predefined weld seam course between the weld seam start and the weld seam end, wherein the production of the weld seam (N) is controlled by means of at least one control unit (4), wherein at least one detectable external physical weld seam characteristic of the weld seam (N) is influenced by at least one control parameter of the control unit (4), and wherein information stored in the weld seam (N) during the production of the weld seam (N) between an information start point (ISP) and an information end point (IEP) in the weld seam course is taken into account in the at least one control parameter, such that the information can be preferably visually and / or haptically read from the sequence of the at least one detectable external physical weld seam characteristic along the weld seam course in the region between the information start point (ISP) and the information end point (IEP).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a welding method for positively connecting at least two components by means of at least one additive material, wherein a weld seam including the additive is produced, the weld seam having a predefined weld seam path between a weld seam start and a weld seam end, wherein the production of the weld seam is controlled by means of at least one control unit, and wherein at least one detectable external physical weld seam characteristic of the weld seam is influenced by at least one control parameter of the control unit. Background Art

[0002] A known method for positively connecting components is the welding method. When welding metal components, metal welding additives are used. Here, the welding additive and the component are at least partially melted upon introduction of energy and, after cooling, the components are positively connected by the welding additive material.

[0003] Different welding methods are distinguished according to how energy is supplied to the welding site. In arc welding, for example, electrical energy is used to generate an arc between a welding electrode and the component to be welded, and the arc melts the welding additive and the component. Here, a consumable electrode can be used, which itself simultaneously forms the welding additive. However, a non-consumable electrode can also be used, in which case the welding additive is supplied separately. For example, these methods are also referred to as MIG / MAG welding methods or WIG welding methods, where generally an active or inert shielding gas is used to protect the welding site from corrosion. However, the welding energy can also be introduced by means of a laser or an electron beam, and is thus called so-called laser welding or electron beam welding. Hybrid forms are also possible, where a laser is used, for example, as an additional energy source.

[0004] Here, the additive is applied in the form of a weld seam produced along a defined weld seam path. The weld seam path is basically predefined by the component geometry and can extend, for example, from a defined starting point to a defined end point.

[0005] The welding method can in principle be carried out manually, for example by a person manually moving a welding torch relative to the workpiece. In order to achieve as identical and reproducible results as possible when producing the weld seam, however, the weld seam is preferably produced automatically with a suitable device. Here, the device includes at least one manipulation unit and a welding unit, and the welding unit is moved by the manipulation unit. For example, it can be provided that the manipulation unit can be used to move one (or more) welding units at least one-dimensionally relative to the components to be connected.

[0006] In order to be able to generate more complex multi-dimensional seam orientations, it is preferred to provide a multi-axis robot as a manipulation unit. For example, welding methods typically use a robot to guide one (or more) welding torches. Depending on the welding method used, the (one or more) additives can be fed to the welding site either directly by means of the welding unit or also by means of a separate conveying unit. In known MIG / MAG welding, the additive is fed to the welding site as a whole in the form of a molten wire, for example in the welding torch. In WIG welding, a separate conveying unit is provided, by means of which the welding additive can be fed to the welding site at a determined, settable, in particular adjustable feed rate.

[0007] The device also has at least one control unit by means of which the welding method can be controlled. Of course, it is also possible to provide a plurality of control units which communicate with one another in a suitable manner, for example the control unit of the welding unit and the control unit of the manipulation unit. In the one or more control units, certain control parameters are fixedly executed or adjustable, by means of which certain characteristics of the weld seam can be influenced. These control parameters can be, for example, the feed rate of the additive towards the component to be joined, the weld seam generation rate of the welding unit relative to the component, temperature, pressure, voltage and current, etc. In arc welding methods such as MIG / MAG welding, different welding processes are usually used, which have different welding parameters as control parameters. For example, welding current, welding voltage, wire feed rate, pulse frequency of the welding current (in pulsed welding processes), phase displacement of the welding currents of a plurality of welding torches (in multi-welding processes), etc. belong to the welding parameters.

[0008] By the selection of the welding parameters, for example, the geometry of the weld seam can be influenced, such as the weld bead width, weld bead thickness or weld bead length of the weld bead forming the weld seam. By the selection of the welding parameters or generally the control parameters, certain weld seam characteristics of the weld seam can be influenced, such as the strength of the weld seam. This means that, for example, depending on the geometry, the material of the component and the boundary conditions to be expected in the planned application area (such as mechanical and / or thermal loads, safety risks for persons, service life, etc.), different control parameters can be used in order to produce a weld seam with the desired characteristics.

[0009] Especially in safety-critical welds, such as when welding the hull of a ship, load-bearing members of a machine or a building, etc., repeated inspections of the welds are usually required or stipulated for legal reasons. Here, non-destructive inspection methods are often used, such as visual inspection, ultrasonic inspection. Depending on the care with which data is recorded during and after the production of the weld, the inspector usually has no or only insufficient information about the welding. In particular, the control parameters used during the production of the weld are usually no longer available or only available in a restricted manner during inspection, and these control parameters can be an important source of information for evaluating the weld quality. If generally this information is usually present in the form of paper or stored on a computer at the implementer of the weld, but is not available during the inspection of the weld. Therefore, it is usually costly or simply impossible or only possible in a restricted manner to provide this data during the inspection of the weld.

[0010] US2014 / 326507A1 discloses a method for introducing an identification code on the outer surface of a drill bit for oil extraction. The code is introduced in the form of a bead weld with a combination of dash-dots on the peripheral surface of the drill bit, so that the peripheral surface can be detected by a suitable sensor. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a welding method that enables simple and long-term availability of information on the welding method implemented for producing the weld.

[0012] According to the present invention, this object is achieved in that information stored in the weld during the production of the weld between an information start point and an information end point in the weld run is taken into account in the at least one control parameter, such that the information can be preferably visually and / or haptically read from the sequence of the at least one detectable external physical weld characteristic along the weld run in the region between the information start point and the information end point. Thereby, specific desired information can be persistently stored in the weld, so that the information can be directly read from the weld at any later time after the production of the weld. Thereby, information loss can be prevented in a simple manner, for example because the information was not sufficiently recorded during the implementation of the welding method. "Taking into account" should be understood in the context of the present invention essentially as meaning that the information to be stored is included or integrated into the control parameter in such a way that the information is reflected in the form of a sequence in the produced weld. "Storing" should be understood in the context of the present invention essentially as irreversibly storing or engraving the information into the produced weld. "Sequence" should be understood in the context of the present invention essentially as a characteristic sequence of detectable external physical weld characteristics that are continuous along the weld run, from which the stored information can be clearly and repeatedly obtained.

[0013] Preferably, during the generation of the weld seam, at least one control parameter is changed in order to change at least one detectable external physical weld seam characteristic in the weld seam run between the information start point and the information end point, wherein code letters of a code alphabet are assigned to different characteristic values of the at least one external physical weld seam characteristic, and the information is stored as a combination of code letters of the code alphabet. This provides a simple storage possibility.

[0014] Advantageously, the information can be stored in a machine-readable digital code such that the information can be read from the sequence of at least one detectable external physical weld seam characteristic by means of a reading unit, preferably by means of a non-contact scanner, at least one camera or a probe, wherein a multi-value code is preferably used as the digital code, particularly preferably a binary code (binary code) or a ternary code (ternary code). Thereby, the information can be read manually or automatically in a simple manner.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment, measurable geometric parameters of the weld seam are used, preferably the weld seam thickness, the weld seam width, the weld seam length of a section of the weld seam, in particular the weld scale length of the weld scale or the length of the area of the weld seam without additives, as the at least one detectable external physical welding characteristic. Thereby, simply measurable parameters can be used, which facilitates the reading of the information.

[0016] The information preferably contains method data used for generating the weld seam for the control parameters used for the welding method or reference information associated with the method data. However, the information can also contain external data not related to the welding method or reference information associated with the external data. Thereby, information directly related to the welding process used for generating the weld seam can be stored. Alternatively or additionally, other data of interest can also be stored, which are not directly related to the welding process but are nevertheless important information sources, such as data about the component, the date and time of manufacturing the weld seam, etc. By storing reference information, a smaller amount of data can be stored in the weld layer, and the actually interesting information can be called, for example, from an external data source by means of the associated reference information.

[0017] It can be advantageous if the method data contains data about the welding parameters used for generating the weld seam, preferably data about the welding current and / or the welding voltage and / or the feed rate of the additive and / or the pulse frequency of the welding current and / or the number of welding cycles and / or the duration of the welding cycle. Thereby, the specifically used welding parameters can be stored in a simple manner and can be read from the weld seam again later, for example, within the scope of quality inspection.

[0018] Advantageously, the information is stored in the control unit, and / or the information is transmitted to the control unit before carrying out the welding method, and / or the information is transmitted to the control unit by means of an input unit, and / or the information is converted into a digital code by the control unit. By storing, the information can be reused, or for example it can be traced later when and which information was stored. By means of the input unit, the information to be stored can be input manually, for example. If the information is present on an external unit, for example, this information can be transmitted to the control unit in a simple manner. The conversion can be advantageous for converting the information into a specific digital code by storing the information in the weld seam.

[0019] Preferably, an arc welding method with a consumable or non-consumable electrode, a laser welding method or an electron beam welding method is used as the welding method. Thereby, known welding methods can be used.

[0020] Advantageously, a marking weld seam can also be produced by surfacing on at least one of the components, wherein the information stored in the marking weld seam during the production of the marking weld seam between an information start point and an information end point in the weld seam run is taken into account in the at least one control parameter, such that the information can preferably be read visually and / or tactilely from the sequence of the at least one detectable external physical weld seam characteristic along the weld seam run in the region between the information start point and the information end point. Thereby, in addition to the joining weld seam, a marking weld seam can also be produced on the surface of the component, which marking weld seam is only used for storing information and not for joining the components.

[0021] It can also be advantageous that marking seam sections that are not used for material-locking connections are provided in the weld seam, wherein the information stored in the weld seam during the production of the marking seam section of the weld seam between an information start point and an information end point in the weld seam run of the marking seam section is taken into account in the at least one control parameter, such that the information can preferably be read visually and / or tactilely from the sequence of the at least one detectable external physical weld seam characteristic along the weld seam run in the region between the information start point and the information end point. Thereby, sections can be integrated into the joining weld seam that are only used for storing information and not for materially locking the components together. Description of the Drawings

[0022] Next, reference is made to the attached Figures 1 to 2 The present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which exemplarily, schematically and non-restrictively show advantageous embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0023] Figure 1shows a device in the form of a welding device for carrying out a welding method,

[0024] Figure 2 shows a plurality of components respectively connected by weld seams and a reading unit for reading digital information from the weld seams. Detailed implementation

[0025] In Figure 1 is shown a device 1 for carrying out the welding method according to the invention. The device 1 is arranged to connect at least two components 5 positively to one another by means of at least one additive material. The device 1 comprises at least one welding unit 2 for producing a weld seam N comprising an additive Z, a manipulation unit 3 for moving the welding torch 6 of the welding unit 2 along a predefined weld seam path and a control unit 4 for controlling the device 1. As the additive Z, a suitable metallic welding additive is typically used. The welding additive can be fed to the welding site integrally with the welding torch 6, as in the known MSG welding method, but can be fed to the welding site separately, for example by means of a separate feed unit, as in the known WIG welding method. The manipulation unit 3 thus preferably moves the feed unit synchronously with the welding torch 6. The weld seam path of the weld seam N is essentially determined by the geometry of the components 5 to be joined and can extend from a simple straight line to a complex three-dimensional path.

[0026] In the example shown, two simple plate-shaped components 5 are shown, which are arranged at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to one another and are positively connected to the weld seam N in the form of a known fillet weld. This results in a weld seam path in the form of a straight line, here in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. However, this should of course only be understood as exemplary. For example, when a cylindrical component and a component are connected to a planar surface, the weld seam path can thus, for example, have a circular path. Here, the weld seam N does not necessarily have to extend continuously, i.e. without interruption, but in principle an intermittent weld seam N is also possible, where the additive Z is not applied locally along the weld seam path. An intermittent weld seam N can be produced, for example, by so-called intermittent welding, as will be described in more detail by means of Figure 2 which will be described in more detail. Thus, within the scope of the present invention, the weld seam N does not necessarily have to be understood as a continuous seam, but can also be understood as an interrupted or partially interrupted seam.

[0027] The components 5 are preferably positioned and fixed relative to one another in the desired positions before the start of the welding method. This can be achieved, for example, by means of suitable clamping devices or other suitable positioning devices. In the example shown, the components 5 are arranged on a frame 11 and fixed by means of the clamping elements 12a, 12b of the clamping device. However, this is of course only exemplary, and any other type of relative positioning is possible.

[0028] In order to produce the weld seam N, the welding torch 6 is moved by the manipulation unit 3. Depending on the planned weld seam run of the weld seam N, a suitable manipulation unit 3 can be used, with which the welding torch 6 (and, if necessary, the conveying unit) can be moved with the required degrees of freedom of movement. For the exemplary weld seam N shown with a straight weld seam run, translational degrees of freedom of movement are in principle sufficient. However, in order to be able to implement different and especially also more complex multi-dimensional weld seam runs, it is advantageous if the manipulation unit 3 has more than just one translational degree of freedom. In Figure 1 FIG. Figure 1 schematically and merely by way of example shows a known multi-axis industrial robot 3a, which is arranged on a machine frame 13. Of course, however, any other suitable manipulation unit 3 is also possible. In the machine frame 13, there is also provided a drive unit 14 for driving the manipulation unit 3, which drive unit can be controlled by the control unit 4 in order to carry out the desired movement sequence.

[0029] Here, the control unit 4 (implemented, for example, as hardware and / or software) is exemplarily also integrated in the machine frame 13, but of course can also be arranged at any other location. By means of the control unit 4, not only the manipulation unit 3 but also the welding unit 2 can be controlled. Of course, a plurality of control units can also be provided in the device 1, which control units communicate with one another, for example, at least one own control unit for the manipulation unit 3 and at least one own control unit for the welding unit 2. The control unit 4 and / or the individual control units can thus, for example, be connected to a superior control unit 15, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1 FIG. Figure 1 . Thereby, for example, a plurality of devices 1 according to the invention and / or other devices can also be centrally controlled and synchronized with one another. This can be advantageous, for example, in complex production processes, in which, for example, a plurality of devices work simultaneously on a workpiece, such as in the case of welding a vehicle body or the like. Such a superior control unit is well known from the prior art and is therefore not explained in further detail here.

[0030] By changing at least one control parameter of the control unit 4 of the device 1, at least one detectable external physical weld seam characteristic of the weld seam N can be influenced. "Detectable external physical weld seam characteristic" within the scope of the present invention is to be understood as a characteristic of the weld seam N which relates to the external physical properties of the weld seam N, i.e., a characteristic which can be recognized or detected from the outside. This can, for example, be a qualitative characteristic of the weld seam N, which can be recognized visually or haptically, such as the presence (or absence) of an additive Z locally along the weld seam run of the weld seam N. In an intermittent weld seam (for example Figure 2 the weld seam N2 in FIG. Figure 2 ), for example, the welding points P1 and / or the region B between the welding points P1 can be detectable external physical welding characteristics, as shown by Figure 2 the second and third weld seams N2, N3 in FIG. Figure 2 .

[0031] However, detectable external physical weld characteristics can also be, for example, quantitatively measurable geometric parameters of the weld seam N, such as the weld thickness ND, the weld width NB, or the weld length NL of a specific section of the weld seam N. In the case of an uninterrupted weld seam N, this section of the weld seam N can be, for example, the weld scale Si that makes up the weld seam N. Here, the weld length NL can be the weld scale length NLi of the weld scale Si, as shown by means of the first weld seam N1 in Figure 2 as shown. In the case of an interrupted weld seam N, this section can be, for example, the weld point Pi, and the weld length NL can be the weld point length of the weld point Pi. The length of the region B without the additive Z can also be used as a measurable geometric parameter, for example. Of course, one or more specific detectable external physical weld characteristics can also be influenced by a plurality of control parameters.

[0032] The control parameters of the control unit 4 can be, for example, the moving speed of the manipulation unit 3 at which the welding torch 6 moves relative to the component 5. However, the control parameters can also be the welding parameters of the welding unit 2. However, the control parameters can of course also be understood as equivalent parameters respectively. Generally, a plurality of welding parameters for a specific welding process can be set on the welding unit 2, such as the feed rate of the additive Z (in the direction of the component 5 to be joined), the welding current, the welding voltage, the pulse frequency of the welding current, etc. For example, a control program with determined or determinable control parameters can be stored in the control unit 4, which can be selected by the user of the device 1 in order to produce a weld seam N with one or more specific detectable external physical weld characteristics. For example, the desired weld start and the desired weld end of the weld seam N to be produced and the desired weld path therebetween can also be pre-given. The control unit 4 accordingly controls the welding torch 6 and the manipulation unit 3 with the pre-given settings having specific control parameters in order to automatically produce the weld seam N.

[0033] According to the invention, in at least one control parameter of the control unit 4, information processed by the control unit 4 and considered by the control unit 4 when controlling the control device 1, in particular when controlling the welding torch 6 and / or the manipulation unit 3, can be taken into account. The control unit 4 processes and takes into account the information such that during the generation of a weld seam N between a specific information start point ISP and a specific information end point IEP in the weld seam path, the information is stored by means of at least one external physical weld seam characteristic in the weld seam N. The information can, for example, be digital information in numerical form, such as values of welding parameters (such as welding current or welding voltage), a welding program number as reference information for a specific welding program, a welding process number associated with the specific welding process or other relevant set values and reference values, such as a checksum, a digital signature, etc. However, the information can also be, for example, alphabetic information (in the form of letters or entire words, such as component numbers, etc.) or alphanumeric information (a mixture of numerical values and letters, such as a specific serial number or product code, etc.). The information can be stored in the weld seam N such that the information can be read from a sequence of at least one detectable external physical weld seam characteristic along the weld seam path in the region between the information start point ISP and the information end point IEP. Here, this storage is preferably implemented such that the reading can be carried out visually and / or haptically.

[0034] For example, during the generation of the weld seam N, the at least one control parameter can be varied in order to change the at least one detectable external physical weld seam characteristic in the weld seam path between the information start point ISP and the information end point IEP. Here, it is possible to assign code letters of a code alphabet to different characteristic values of the one external physical weld seam characteristic, and the information is stored in the weld seam N as a combination of code letters of the code alphabet. Here, each code has a defined code alphabet with a specific number of code letters or code symbols. Each letter (such as A, B, C, etc.) and each digit (such as 1, 2, 3, etc.) of the information to be stored and thus each information word to be stored (such as STROM) or each information digit to be stored (such as 123) consists of a combination of letters of the code alphabet.

[0035] For example, a geometric parameter (such as the weld scale length NLi of the weld scale) can be used as a detectable external physical welding characteristic. Different characteristic values of the external physical weld seam characteristic are here the weld scale lengths NLi of different weld scales Si (see Figure 2)。The length NLi of the welding oxide scale Si may be affected by changes in one (or more) control parameters in the control unit 4. The welding unit 2 may also have a separate (not shown) welding control unit for controlling the welding process controlled by the control unit 4 (or the superior control unit 15). To introduce the said information into the weld N, this may be sufficient here, for example, when the information to be stored is only considered in the control parameters of the welding control unit. For example, one or more control parameters of the welding control unit may be varied to produce, for example, welding oxide scales Si (as external physical weld characteristics) having different welding oxide scale lengths NLi (as different characteristic values of the external physical weld characteristics).

[0036] Assign a specific code letter of a specific code alphabet to each welding oxide scale length NLi. Thus, by generating a sequence of welding oxide scale lengths Si having specific, information-corresponding, and respectively specific welding oxide scale lengths NLi (with associated code letters) along the weld run, the desired information can be stored in the weld N. In an advantageous design of the present invention, the information is stored in the form of a machine-readable digital code, so that the information can be read by means of a reading unit 16 ( Figure 2 ) from a sequence of at least one detectable external physical weld characteristic along the weld run. As the reading unit, a non-contact scanner or probe can be used, as will be elaborated in more detail Figure 2 below. Any suitable type of digital code, preferably a multi-value code, can be used as the stored digital form.

[0037] Known multi-value codes are, for example, binary codes, whose code alphabet includes two different code letters or code symbols (usually 0 / 1 or true / false). Thus, the information can be stored as a sequence of two code letters, where each code letter is again stored in the weld N in the form of a specific detectable external physical welding characteristic. Another known multi-value code is the ternary code, whose code alphabet consists of three different code letters or code symbols (usually 0 / 1 / 2 or -1 / 0 / 1). Thus, the information can be stored as a sequence of three code letters, where each code letter is again stored in the weld N in the form of a specific detectable external physical welding characteristic.

[0038] In addition, there are other known natural digital codes that can also be used, such as multi-valued codes with more than three code letters, such as quaternary (four code letters), quinary (five code letters), decimal (ten code letters), hexadecimal (sixteen code letters), etc. The information can thus be stored, for example, in the weld N in binary, ternary or another multi-valued code according to the ASCII code. A proprietary information protocol similar to a bus protocol is also possible, for example. Thus, the information can be stored, for example, using an unpublished manufacturer-specific standard and can thus be read only by authorized personnel, for example.

[0039] As already described, one or more measurable geometric parameters of the weld N can also be used as detectable external physical welding characteristics, such as the weld thickness ND when manufacturing the weld N by intermittent welding, and / or the weld width NB, and / or the weld length NL of the section of the weld N along the weld run, and / or the length of the area B of the weld N without the additive Z ( Figure 2 ). For example, in a continuous weld N, the weld scale length NLi of the weld scale Si can be used, as shown by the first weld N1 in Figure 2 . Thus, the external physical weld characteristics are generated by changing the one (or more) control parameters in the weld N according to the digital code used, such that a code sequence corresponding to the information to be stored is stored between the information start point ISP and the information end point IEP in the welding run of the weld N. For a binary code, this can be achieved, for example, by using two different geometric parameters, each corresponding to a code letter, as will be explained in more detail below with the aid of Figure 2 .

[0040] For example, if multiple different measurable geometric parameters are used to store information in the weld N, a code letter of a multi-valued code can be assigned to each of the geometric parameters. A combination of two or more measurable geometric parameters can also be used, for example, as a code letter of the code. In the case of a binary code, for example, two different measurable geometric parameters can be used and a code letter is assigned to each geometric parameter. In the case of a ternary code, three different measurable geometric parameters can be used, where a code letter is assigned to each geometric parameter, and so on. This can mean, for example, in the case of a ternary code, that a specific weld thickness ND of a section of the weld N (e.g., of the weld scale) is associated with the first code letter, a specific weld width NB is associated with the second code letter, and the weld length NL is associated with the third code letter of the ternary code.

[0041] If only two measurable geometric parameters (e.g., weld width NB and weld length NL of a section of weld seam N) are used for the ternary code, a specific weld width NB can also be associated with a first code letter, a specific weld length NL can be associated with a second code letter, and a specific combination of a specific weld width NB and a specific weld length NL can be associated with a third code letter of the ternary code. Of course, it is also possible to use only one measurable geometric parameter, and specific different characteristic values of the geometric parameter can be associated with a code letter in each case. For example, only the weld thickness ND of a section of weld seam N can be used as a measurable geometric parameter, and different determined values of the weld thickness ND can be associated with a code letter in each case. It can be seen from this that there are a large number of variants for storing the information in weld seam N, from which a person skilled in the art can select a suitable variant.

[0042] In an advantageous manner, the method can be used to store method data for control parameters for producing a weld seam N in a weld seam N. For example, welding parameters for producing a weld seam N can be stored in the weld seam. As a result, the information stored in the weld seam N can be read in a simple manner, for example, during a subsequent weld seam inspection, which can be carried out several months after the weld seam has been produced. It is thus possible to track which welding parameters were used during the welding process without requiring other types of records. The person to be inspected only needs to read the stored information from the weld seam visually, tactilely or preferably with the aid of a suitable reading unit 16. Of course, the same (or different) information can also be stored at multiple locations of the weld seam N, for example in spaced-apart regions of the weld seam N along the direction of the weld seam. This can be advantageous, for example, in the case of a relatively long weld seam N, so that the information can be read at different locations or assigned to specific sections of the weld seam.

[0043] However, it is not mandatory to store the method data itself in the weld seam N, but it is also possible to store reference information that is clearly associated with the method data, for example in the form of a reference number that is clearly associated with the method data. The method data can then be determined from the reference information that is read, for example from another data source. This can be advantageous, for example, due to the relatively large amount of data that can be expected when introducing the welding parameters used, because the method data about the welding parameters do not have to be stored directly in the weld seam N, but only the reference information is stored. With the help of the reference information, the welding parameters used can then be read, for example, from a data source, for example a database. However, the data source can also be integrated, for example, in the device 1, for example in a storage unit of the welding unit 2. From the reference information that is read, the method data associated with the reference information can then be read, for example, by a user interface of the device 1 (or welding unit 2), for example by a touch screen.

[0044] For example, it can be envisaged that during the reading of the stored information by means of a suitable reading unit 16, a link to a data source is automatically established. Here, the data source can, for example, be integrated in the reading unit 16, or the reading unit 16 can also access an external data source via a suitable data connection. Therefore, only a relatively small amount of data (reference information) needs to be stored in the weld seam N, and a larger amount of data (the method data) can be stored in another data source. For example, the reference information can be read by means of a smartphone via an integrated camera.

[0045] A suitable smartphone application (App) of the smartphone can automatically display the method data associated with the corresponding reference information when a specific reference information is recognized. Here, these method data can, for example, be directly stored on the smartphone, which is advantageous, for example, in autonomous applications where the smartphone has no or only an inadequate communication connection. But for example, the method data associated with the reference information can also be automatically called via an external data source, for example, via the wireless communication connection of the smartphone. It can also be forwarded to a web page where the method data associated with the reference information can be read. The generation of the reference information, for example, the calculation of the reference number, can be carried out, for example, in the control unit 4 of the device 1, the superior control unit 15 or another control unit (for example, the welding control unit of the welding unit 2). But the generation of the reference information can also be carried out, for example, in an external third system and transmitted to the device 1 in a suitable manner. The third system can, for example, be a document system or an analysis system.

[0046] Alternatively or additionally, external data unrelated to the welding method can also be stored in the weld seam N. This can, for example, be metadata for the implemented welding method or for the weld seam N, such as the type of additive Z used, the date, time or duration of the implementation of the welding method, the description of the person implementing the welding method, information about the component 5, other production-technical information, etc. Of course, other data not directly related to the weld seam N can also be stored, such as information about the customer, information from operating instructions or other documents.

[0047] Similar to the method data, of course, only the reference information can also be stored in the case of external data in the weld seam N. The external data associated with the reference information can, for example, be known from an external data source again. For example, instead of directly storing the information in the operating instructions in the weld seam N, the reference information can be stored as a kind of link at various positions in the operating instructions. By means of a suitable reading unit 16, it is possible to continue directly to the corresponding position in the operating instructions by reading the reference information. Here, the operating instructions can, for example, be directly stored locally in the reading unit 16 or stored in an external data source, which can be accessed by means of the reading unit 16, for example, via a suitable wireless communication connection.

[0048] The information to be stored can, for example, be stored in a suitable storage unit integrated in the control unit 4 or separately, so that it can be used by the control unit 4. The information can also, for example, be stored in the storage unit in the form of a log file, for example, after the implemented welding method, so that the information can also be called up later or can be used again for producing another weld N. For example, the user interface can also be provided in the device 1 in the form of a touch screen, for example, through which the information stored in the storage unit can be selected, and then the information is used for storage in one or more other welds N.

[0049] In particular, when the information to be stored in the weld N contains external data, it is advantageous to transfer the data to the control unit 4 before the welding process is implemented. This can be done, for example, through a suitable data transfer interface on the device 1, for example, directly on the control unit 4 or through a possible superior control unit 15. Any suitable interface can be used as the data transfer interface, for example, a wired interface such as Ethernet or a wireless interface such as WLAN, Bluetooth or NFC. It can also be advantageous to provide an input unit in the device through which information can be input into the control unit 4. For example, a user interface (such as a touch screen, keyboard, etc.) can be provided to input information. Information to be stored in the form of, for example, numerical values, text, etc. can be input through the user interface. For example, the position along the weld path can also be input through the user interface, at which the information is stored in the weld N. For example, it is conceivable that the information start point ISP and the information end point IEP are determined as time points during the welding process. The information start point ISP can also be determined as a time point, and a specific duration is preset during which the information is introduced into the weld N. The information end point IEP then appears automatically.

[0050] Typically, the information does not exist in the form in which they are stored in the weld N, such as in binary, ternary, or other multi-valued formats. Therefore, it is advantageous that the information to be stored is converted by the control unit 4 into the form in which it is stored in the weld N. For this purpose, for example, a suitable conversion unit can be provided in the device 1, such as integrated in the control unit 4 or also as a separate unit communicating with the control unit 4. Thus, for example, the desired information (such as numbers, letters, or alphanumeric) can be converted by the conversion unit into a digital code, where the information is ultimately stored in the weld N through one or more detectable external physical weld characteristics. The desired information can be input, for example, through a user interface (such as a keyboard or touch screen) in ASCII format and can be converted by the conversion unit into, for example, binary or ternary code. During (or even before) the conversion process, for example, compression, encryption, calculation of checksums, or signing, etc. can also be performed. But for example, the information to be stored in the weld N can also be selected from the information already stored in the control unit 4 or the storage unit integrated therein. For example, specific repetitive component numbers, users, method data such as welding parameters, reference information associated with a specific welding process, etc. can be selected quickly and easily.

[0051] In Figure 1 In the example shown, the welding unit 2 is configured to perform an arc welding method using a consumable electrode. Here, the additive Z also serves as an electrode at the same time, and this electrode is fed to the welding site in the form of a welding wire. As is well known, the welding wire is melted by an arc burning between the component 5 to be joined (at least partially metallic) and the welding wire in order to produce the weld N. Usually, an inert or reactive shielding gas is also used here, which is fed to the welding site to shield the welding site from oxidation by the environment. Here, it is also referred to as metal active gas welding (MAG), metal inert gas welding (MIG), or generally as metal shielding gas welding (MSG). Since the welding method and the basic structure of the welding unit 2 for performing the welding method are basically known, no detailed description is given in this regard.

[0052] As is well known, the welding unit 2 can have a welding torch 6, and the additive Z in the form of a welding wire is fed to the welding torch by a suitable welding wire feeding unit 8 through a hose package 10. If a shielding gas is used, the shielding gas can be fed to the welding torch 6, for example, from a suitable shielding gas container 9 also via the hose package 10. In addition, the welding unit 2 has a welding power source 7, which provides the energy required for the welding method in the form of a welding current or a welding voltage. To generate an arc, the welding current circuit is closed via the component 5 to be welded. For this purpose, the welding torch 6 can be connected to the welding power source 7, for example, through a first welding electrical line L and again via the hose package 10, and the workpiece (the component 5 to be welded) can be connected to the welding power source 7 by means of a second welding line, such as a ground line M.

[0053] The welding method can be controlled by the control unit 4 in such a way that specific welding parameters of a specific welding process are set or adjusted, and the welding process is implemented by the welding unit 2. Known welding processes of the MSG welding method are, for example, pulse welding processes, short arc welding processes, special forms of short arc welding processes (such as CMT welding processes), etc. Welding parameters include, for example, the welding current of the welding wire (or generally the additive Z), the welding voltage, the wire feeding speed, the pulse frequency of the welding current, the number of welding cycles, and / or the duration of the welding cycle, etc. Since the welding process and its welding parameters are known, a detailed description is omitted in this regard.

[0054] However, for example, known multiple welding methods can also be used, in which multiple welding wires (via one or more torches) are fed to the welding site. Here, a separate welding process is implemented on each welding wire, and the welding wire is melted by the arc respectively. Here, different additives Z can also be used, for example; the weld N can then be composed of different additives Z. In the multiple welding method, for example, a time phase shift between the welding currents (and / or welding voltages) of two separate welding processes can also be used as a welding parameter. However, this can of course only be understood exemplarily and any other welding method can also be used, by which a material-locked weld N including the additive Z can be produced. Known suitable welding methods are, for example, laser welding methods or electron beam welding methods. Combined welding methods are also known, for example, laser hybrid welding, in which the MSG welding method and the laser welding method are combined.

[0055] For example, the information to be introduced into the weld N can contain method data regarding the welding parameters used to produce the weld N. For example, it is thus possible to store in the weld N how high the welding current and / or welding voltage used to produce the weld N are. It is also possible to store, for example, the magnitude of the feed rate of the welding additive and / or the pulse frequency of the welding current. The method data of the operating unit 3 can of course also be stored in the weld, for example, the welding speed at which the welding unit 2 moves relative to the component 5. Thereby, at a later time point, it can be determined which settings of the device 1 were used to produce the welding unit.

[0056] In Figure 2 a plurality of components 5a to 5d are shown, which are connected by the welding method according to the invention by means of welds N1 to N3. The welds N1 to N3 can be produced, for example, by using according to Figure 1generated by the device. For simplicity, the weld seams N1 to N3 each have a straight weld seam path, but of course they can also be more complex multi-dimensional weld seam paths. This basically depends on the geometry of the components 5 to be joined. In the weld seams N1 to N3, information is stored digitally by means of detectable external physical weld seam characteristics. The first weld seam N1 is constructed as a continuous, i.e., coherent, weld seam N and can be produced, for example, using a pulsed welding process or other suitable welding processes of an arc welding method or also using other welding methods. The first weld seam N1 joins the components 5b and 5c in a material-locking manner.

[0057] The weld seams N2 + N3 are made by so-called intermittent welding. The second weld seam N2 joins the components 5a and 5b in a material-locking manner, and the third weld seam N3 joins the components 5c and 5d in a material-locking manner. During intermittent welding, usually no coherent continuous weld seam is produced, but rather an intermittent, i.e., interrupted, weld seam N is produced. Therefore, during intermittent welding, the weld seam N often includes welding points Pi following one another, which are made of the additive Z and are each separated from one another by a region B without additive in the direction of the weld seam path. But in principle, a coherent weld seam N can also be produced during spaced welding. It should also be noted here that within the scope of the present invention, the weld seam N does not necessarily have to be understood as a coherent, continuous weld seam N, but an intermittent weld seam is also understood as the weld seam N in the sense of the present invention.

[0058] In the first weld seam N1, the weld seam length NLi of the sections of the weld seam N1 is used as a detectable external physical weld seam characteristic, and information is stored in the weld seam N1 by means of this weld seam characteristic. The weld seam length NLi is generally understood as the length of a distinguishable section of the weld seam N in the direction of the weld seam path. In a specific case, the shown weld seam N1 has welding oxides Si following one another, which result from the process guidance of the welding process used. The structure of the welding oxides Si and in particular the weld seam length NLi of the welding oxides Si can be influenced by one or more control parameters of the welding process, in particular by the welding speed at which the welding torch 6 is moved relative to the components 5b, 5c by the operating unit 3, the feed rate of the additive Z, and in particular by welding parameters such as welding current, pulse frequency (for cyclic pulsed welding current), the number of welding cycles, and / or the duration of the welding cycle, but is basically known and is therefore not described in detail here.

[0059] Thus, the weld oxide length NLi can be used to store desired information numerically in the first weld N1. Depending on which digital code is used, different weld oxide lengths NLi can be associated with the code letters of the code alphabet of the code. In a binary code, for example, two different weld oxide lengths NL1, NL2 can be used, which are introduced into the weld N1 along the weld run in a specific order according to the information content, as shown in Figure 2 as shown. The weld oxide lengths NL1, NL2 can, for example, be interpreted as the code letters or code symbols "logical 0" of the binary code, and correspondingly other weld oxide lengths NL1, NL2 can be interpreted as the code letters or code symbols "logical 1" of the binary code. The information is stored between a defined information start point ISP1 and a defined information end point IEP1 in the weld N1. In the example shown, the information start point ISP1 corresponds to the start of the weld of the weld N1, and the information end point IEP1 corresponds to the end of the weld of the weld N1. But this is of course only exemplary, and the information start point ISP1 and the information end point IEP1 can also be located at another position in the weld N1, for example in a predefined central section of the weld N1. It is of course also conceivable to repeatedly introduce the same information (or other information) along the weld run at different positions in the weld N1.

[0060] As already mentioned, of course, multiple different detectable external physical welding characteristics can also be used to store information. For example, in the first weld oxide N1 shown, a specific weld oxide length NLi can be associated with the first code letter of the binary code, and the weld oxide width NBi of a specific weld oxide Si can be associated with the second code letter of the binary code. The information thus results from a series of weld oxide lengths NLi and weld oxide widths NBi along the weld run. In the case of high-value codes (such as ternary, quaternary, quinary, etc.), additional code letters can correspondingly be associated with another detectable external physical weld characteristic. For example, a specific weld thickness NDi of the weld oxide Si can be additionally used as the third code letter of the ternary code. Of course, different characteristic values of the detectable external physical welding characteristics, such as different values of the weld thickness NDi, can be associated with the code letters respectively.

[0061] The second weld seam N2 is a weld seam produced by intermittent welding, which has a plurality of welding points P1 of a specific size including the additive Z, and these welding points are separated from each other by regions B without the additive Z. The said information is again stored between a determined information start point ISP2 and a determined information end point IEP2 in the weld seam N2. Here, the information is stored in the weld seam N2 in binary code. Here, the welding points P1 and the regions B between them serve as detectable external physical welding characteristics for storing information. The welding points P1 (at least in the region between the information start point ISP2 and the information end point IEP2) preferably have the same size. The welding points P1 can be interpreted as "logical 0" of the binary code, and the regions B between the welding points P1 can be interpreted as "logical 1" (or vice versa). Therefore, the stored information is derived from the sequence of the welding points P1 and the regions B along the path of the weld seam between the information start point ISP2 and the information end point IEP2.

[0062] The third weld seam N3 is likewise a weld seam N produced by intermittent welding. Compared with the second weld seam N2, the third weld seam N3 has welding points P1, P2 of different sizes, and these welding points are separated from each other by regions without the additive Z. The said information is again stored between a determined information start point ISP3 and a determined information end point IEP3 in the weld seam N3. The said information is stored here in a ternary digit format. Here, the first welding points P1 of a determined first size, the second welding points P2 of a determined second size, and the regions B between them serve as detectable external physical weld seam characteristics for storing information. For example, the second welding points P2 can be respectively interpreted as the code letter or code symbol "logical 2" (or logical -1) of the ternary code, the first welding points P1 are respectively interpreted as the code letter or code symbol "logical 1", and the regions B between the welding points P1, P2 are respectively interpreted as the code letter or code symbol "logical 0". Of course, another correlation is also possible. Therefore, the stored information is derived from the sequence of the welding points P1, P2 and the regions B between them along the path of the weld seam between the information start point ISP3 and the information end point IEP3.

[0063] Of course, the illustrated embodiments can only be understood by way of example, and any other suitable detectable external physical welding characteristics can be used to store information. For example, measurable geometric parameters of the weld N can be used, such as the weld thickness ND of a section of the weld N and the weld width NB. In the case where the information start point ISP does not correspond to the start end of the weld N and the information end point IEP does not correspond to the end end of the weld N, it can be advantageous that the information start point ISP and the information end point IEP are marked in a suitable manner such that one can identify the information-storing area of the weld without great expense. This can be achieved, for example, in the illustrated first weld N1 by arranging a regular structure of weld scale Si of the same weld scale length NLi outside the information-storing area, i.e., along the weld run before the information start point ISP and after the information end point IEP. Thus, the information-free area and the information-storing area are visually different, and thus the information start point ISP and the information end point IEP can be identified.

[0064] As already mentioned at the beginning, the information can in principle also be read out in the simplest case by visual inspection or by contact. However, for this, knowledge of the stored code is required, which may not always be the case and is moreover very cumbersome and complex. Therefore, it is advantageous that the information is stored in a machine-readable form such that this information can be read using a suitable reading unit 16 in order to be preferably displayed on a suitable display unit 17. The weld N between the corresponding information start point ISP and the information end point IEP can be scanned using the reading unit 16, which can be done manually or automatically. The reading unit 16 identifies the stored information by means of detectable external physical weld characteristics and can transmit this information to, for example, a suitable display unit 17, on which the information is displayed and can be read by a person. It is, for example, conceivable to use a hand-held scanner of the barcode scanner type, a tactile probe known from manufacturing technology, or a camera.

[0065] In the illustrated example, the reading unit 16 is configured as a camera, and the weld N3 (or at least the area between the information start point ISP and the information end point IEP) is located in the shooting area X of the camera, as in Figure 2As shown by the dashed line in the middle. Through suitable image recognition software that can be directly integrated into, for example, a camera or an evaluation unit 17, the stored information can be obtained from the captured image of the weld seam N. For example, a portable computer with an integrated camera, such as a smartphone, can be advantageously used, which serves not only as the reading unit 16 but also as the display unit 17. Thereby, the information can be read in a simple manner even at hard-to-reach locations. In a similar manner, a known tactile probe can also be used as the reading unit 16, which can be configured, for example, to detect geometric parameters such as the weld thickness ND or the weld width NB as detectable external physical weld characteristics and transmit them to the evaluation unit 17. The evaluation unit 17 can read the stored information from the detected parameters (for example, from the sequence of values of the weld width NB or the weld thickness ND along the weld seam path).

[0066] In addition to the weld seam N that materially locks two or more elements 5 together, for example, one or more marking weld seams (not shown) can also be produced on one or more components 5, and such marking weld seams are not used for material locking connections. Such marking weld seams can be manufactured, for example, by known surfacing welding. In such marking weld seams, of course, the method according to the invention can also be used to store information. For this purpose, in a similar manner as described for the generation of the weld seam N, the information stored in the marking weld seam during the generation of the marking weld seam between the information start point and the information end point along the weld seam path of the marking weld seam can be considered in the at least one control parameter by means of the at least one detectable external physical weld characteristic. Here, the information is stored such that the information is preferably visually and / or tactilely read from the sequence of the at least one detectable external physical weld characteristic along the weld seam path in the region between the information start point and the information end point.

[0067] However, the weld seam N (using which two or more components 5 are materially locked together) can also have, for example, a marking weld seam section that is not used for material locking connections but only for marking. Of course, information can also be stored in such a marking weld seam section. For this purpose, again, the information stored in the weld seam N during the generation of the marking seam between the information start point and the information end point along the weld seam path of the marking seam can be considered in the at least one control parameter by means of the at least one detectable external physical weld characteristic. The information can then again be preferably visually and / or tactilely read from the sequence of the at least one detectable external physical weld characteristic along the weld seam path in the region between the information start point and the information end point of the marking weld seam section.

Claims

1. A welding method for locking and connecting at least two components (5) by means of at least one additive (Z), wherein, A weld (N) including an additive (Z) is produced, the weld having a predefined weld path between a weld start and a weld end, wherein the production of the weld (N) is controlled by means of at least one control unit (4), and wherein at least one controllable external physical weld characteristic of the weld (N) is influenced by at least one control parameter of the control unit (4), characterized in that the following information is taken into account in the at least one control parameter, the information being stored in the weld (N) during the production of the weld (N) between an information start point (ISP) and an information end point (IEP) in the weld path by means of the at least one controllable external physical weld characteristic, such that the information can be read from a sequence of the at least one controllable external physical weld characteristic along the weld path in a region between the information start point (ISP) and the information end point (IEP), wherein during the production of the weld (N), the at least one control parameter is changed in order to change the at least one controllable external physical weld characteristic in the weld path between the information start point (ISP) and the information end point (IEP), and wherein code letters of a code alphabet are assigned to different characteristic values of the at least one external physical weld characteristic, and the information is stored as a combination of the code letters of the code alphabet.

2. The welding method according to claim 1, wherein, The information is stored in a machine-readable digital code form such that the information can be read from a sequence of the at least one controllable external physical weld characteristic by means of a reading unit (16).

3. The welding method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Measurable geometric parameters of the weld (N) are used as the at least one controllable external physical welding characteristic.

4. The welding method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The information contains method data used for the production of the weld (N) for the control parameters used for the welding method or reference information associated with the method data, and / or the information contains external data independent of the welding method or reference information associated with the external data.

5. The welding method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method data contains data on the welding parameters used for the production of the weld (N).

6. The welding method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The information is stored in the control unit (4), and / or the information is transmitted to the control unit (4) before the welding method is carried out, and / or the information is transmitted to the control unit (4) by means of an input unit, and / or the information is converted into a digital code by the control unit (4).

7. The welding method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, An arc welding method with a consumable or non-consumable electrode, a laser welding method or an electron beam welding method is used as the welding method.

8. The welding method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A marking weld is produced by surfacing on at least one of the components (5), wherein the following information stored in the marking weld during the production of the marking weld between an information start point and an information end point in the weld path is taken into account in the at least one control parameter, such that the information can be read from a sequence of the at least one controllable external physical weld characteristic along the weld path in a region between the information start point and the information end point.

9. The welding method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the weld seam (N), a marked seam section not for material locking connection is provided, wherein information stored in the weld seam (N) during the production of the marked seam section of the weld seam (N) between an information start point and an information end point in the weld seam run of the marked seam section is taken into account in at least one of the control parameters, such that the information can be read from a sequence of at least one detectable external physical weld seam characteristic in the region between the information start point and the information end point along the weld seam run.

10. The welding method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The information can be read visually and / or haptically from a sequence of at least one detectable external physical weld seam characteristic in the region between the information start point (ISP) and the information end point (IEP) along the weld seam run.

11. The welding method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The information is stored in a machine-readable digital code such that the information can be read from a sequence of at least one detectable external physical weld seam characteristic by means of a non-contact scanner, at least one camera or a probe with the aid of a reading unit (16).

12. The welding method according to claim 2, characterized in that, A multi-value code is used as the digital code.

13. The welding method according to claim 2, characterized in that, A binary code or a ternary code is used as the digital code.

14. The welding method according to claim 3, characterized in that, Measurable geometric parameters of the weld seam (N) are the weld seam thickness (ND), the weld seam width (NB), the weld seam length (NL) of a section of the weld seam (N).

15. The welding method according to claim 14, wherein, The weld seam length (NL) of a section of the weld seam (N) is the weld scale length (NL1, NL2) of the weld scale (S1, S2) or the length of a region (B) of the weld seam (N) without additive (Z).

16. The welding method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method data contains data on the welding current and / or the welding voltage and / or the feed rate of the additive (Z) and / or the pulse frequency of the welding current and / or the number of welding cycles and / or the duration of the welding cycle.

17. The welding method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The information can be read visually and / or haptically from a sequence of at least one detectable external physical weld seam characteristic in the region between the information start point and the information end point along the weld seam run.

18. The welding method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The information can be read visually and / or haptically from a sequence of at least one detectable external physical weld seam characteristic in the region between the information start point and the information end point along the weld seam run.

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