Arc Welding Position Control for Dynamic Electrode Targeting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing arc welding technologies struggle to maintain high welding quality when dealing with complex welding objects or obstacles, as the appropriate target positions for the electrode and welding wire are not adjusted dynamically based on the attitude of the electrode and the shape of the welding object.

Innovation Solution

A welding control device that decides the target position of the welding wire or electrode based on input conditions including the attitude and shape information of the electrode and welding object, using image processing to align the actual position with the target position, and employs machine learning to refine this decision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If automatic welding is executed with fixed target positions, then the welding procedure is simple, but the welding quality deteriorates when dealing with complex welding objects or varying electrode attitudes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding qualityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the target position of the welding wire dynamic rather than fixed. The control system calculates and adjusts the target position based on real-time electrode attitude (obtained from image processing) and welding conditions. This allows the system to adapt to complex welding objects and varying attitudes, maintaining high welding quality without requiring overly complex manual intervention while achieving both precision and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the target position is adjusted dynamically based on electrode attitude and object shape, then welding quality is maintained, but the control system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding qualityVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies self-service by automatically calculating and adjusting the target position based on image processing of the electrode attitude and welding object shape. The control system performs self-adjustment without requiring manual intervention from the welder, maintaining welding quality while simplifying the operational process. The system serves itself by autonomously adapting to varying welding conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If image processing is used to detect welding features, then position accuracy is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing image processing and target position calculation in advance within each control cycle. The system captures images, processes them to detect electrode attitude and welding features, calculates the appropriate target position, and prepares control commands before executing the welding action. This preliminary preparation ensures accurate position detection while minimizing real-time processing delays during actual welding operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3922393B1Welding control device, welding control method, and welding control program
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP3922393B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3922393B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3922393B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A welding control device configured to control a position control object which includes at least one of a welding wire used to weld a welding object or an electrode for melting the welding wire includes a first decision unit for deciding an actual position of the position control object based on a welding feature amount detected from an image which is shot to include at least the position control object, the welding feature amount including at least one of a wire position of the welding wire or an electrode position of the electrode, a second decision unit for deciding a target position which is a target of the actual position according to an input condition based on the input condition which includes at least one of attitude information of the electrode when the welding object is welded or shape information of the welding object, and a control unit for performing position control of the position control object so that the actual position becomes the target position.