Welded Workpiece ID Marking for Single-Readable Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems complicate the management of workpiece identifiers during welding processes by assigning new identifiers each time a workpiece is moved through different production machines, making traceability difficult and reducing system efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A welding method and system that assigns identification signs to original workpieces, hiding parts or entire signs on joint surfaces to ensure only one readable ID for the welded workpiece, using a laser oscillator to position readable signs and a processor to control the assignment based on predetermined rules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If new identifiers are assigned each time a workpiece is moved through different production machines, then traceability of individual workpieces is maintained, but the management of workpiece identifiers becomes complicated and system efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the identification function from multiple production machines and consolidates it into a single identifier that is assigned once to the workpiece. This single identifier is then used throughout the entire production process, eliminating the need for multiple machine-specific identifiers and simplifying the management system while maintaining traceability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal identifier that serves multiple functions across different production machines and processes. Instead of having machine-specific identifiers, a single identifier is used universally throughout the production line, allowing the same identifier to track the workpiece through welding, assembly, and other manufacturing steps without requiring separate identification systems.
2Reliability
If multiple identification signs are assigned to original workpieces, then each workpiece can be individually identified, but the welded workpiece ends up with multiple unreadable IDs making management inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the identification signs from the joint surfaces where they would be hidden during welding. By positioning the identification signs only on visible surfaces of the welded workpiece, the system ensures that each workpiece maintains exactly one readable identifier, eliminating the problem of multiple hidden IDs and improving management efficiency.
3Loss of information
If identification signs are placed on joint surfaces, then original workpiece IDs are preserved, but the signs become hidden after welding making them unreadable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial dimension of identifier placement from joint surfaces to visible external surfaces of the welded workpiece. This dimensional shift ensures that the identifiers remain accessible for reading while still preserving the information about original workpieces through the hierarchical structure of the identification system.
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
Facilitates efficient management of workpiece identifiers by ensuring only one readable ID per welded workpiece, simplifying traceability and improving system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a processor configured to control a laser oscillator, the laser oscillator being configured to assign the identification signs
Implementation Method 2
executing the welding process such that a part or an entire of an identification sign is hidden in a joint surface on which the plurality of original workpieces are joined
Data Source
AI summary
A welding method is executed by a welding system in which identification signs are arranged on a plurality of original workpieces to be used in a welding process, respectively. On the identification signs, identifiers of the respective original workpieces are readable. The welding method includes executing the welding process such that a part or an entire of the identification signs is hidden in a joint surface on which the plurality of original workpieces are joined in the welding process.