OCT Weld Seam Measurement for Restricted Start and End Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing welding technologies face challenges in achieving precise seam tracking and monitoring, particularly in areas with limited accessibility, where initial or end portions of weld seams cannot be fully measured due to restricted movement of the welding device and sample head.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device equipped with an optical coherence tomograph and a sample head that can dynamically adjust leading and trailing beams relative to the machining direction, allowing measurements from the start to the end of the weld seam, even in restricted access situations, by increasing the leading beam at the beginning and decreasing the trailing beam at the end.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the welding device and sample head are moved along the weld seam for measurements, then seam tracking and monitoring can be performed, but measurements in initial and end portions cannot be completed due to limited accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sample head movable relative to the welding device along the machining direction. The sample head can be dynamically positioned at different locations (front, rear, or integrated with the welding device) depending on the measurement phase, enabling comprehensive coverage of initial and end portions that would be inaccessible with a fixed configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is segmented into distinct functional components: the welding device and the separately movable sample head. This segmentation allows independent positioning of the sample head relative to the welding device, enabling measurements in areas that would be inaccessible if the sample head were fixed to the welding device
2Measurement precision
If a fixed leading beam and trailing beam configuration is used, then seam tracking and monitoring can be performed in accessible areas, but measurements cannot be performed in difficult-to-access initial and end portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed beam configuration into a dynamic system where the sample head can be moved to different positions. This allows the leading beam and trailing beam distances to be adaptively adjusted based on accessibility constraints, making the system versatile for both open and restricted access welding scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spatial parameters of the measurement configuration by moving the sample head to different positions relative to the welding device. This parameter adjustment enables the system to adapt to varying accessibility conditions while maintaining measurement precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables comprehensive seam tracking and monitoring from the first millimeter to the last millimeter, ensuring precise measurement and assessment of weld seams, even in difficult-to-access areas, thereby improving the quality and completeness of weld seam analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a measuring unit (22) comprising an optical coherence tomograph (24) including a sample beam source (26) for producing a sample beam (28)
Implementation Method 2
the sample beam (28) can be selectively focused on different measuring positions (32, 34) relative to a current machining position (36)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a measuring device for performing measurements on a workpiece, which are used to prepare and/or assess a weld seam produced by a welding device and having an initial portion and/or an end portion. The measuring device comprises a measuring unit comprising an optical coherence tomograph including a sample beam and sample, wherein the sample beam can be selectively focused on different measuring positions relative to a current machining position along the weld seam. The measuring device further comprises a fastening unit configured to attach at least the sample head to the welding device, and a control unit configured to dynamically adjust the leading beam and/or the trailing beam during machining along the weld seam. The invention further relates to a machining system, a method for performing measurements on a workpiece, and a method for machining a workpiece.