Welding Asset Tracking With Real-Time Location and Usage Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large welding environments, it is difficult to locate specific welding assets due to their similarity, and reallocating them efficiently is hindered by the lack of real-time usage data, leading to inefficiencies and costs associated with lost, misplaced, or stolen assets.
Innovation Solution
A welding asset tracking system that employs sensors, tags, hubs, and gateways interconnected via a network, utilizing location beacons and positioning systems to continuously monitor and track the location and usage of welding assets, enabling efficient allocation and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If welding assets are deployed in large welding environments, then welding operations can be performed, but locating specific welding assets becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces location beacons as intermediary devices deployed throughout the welding environment. These beacons act as mediators between the welding assets and the tracking system, enabling automatic location detection without requiring manual identification or visual search of assets
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual locating methods (visual search, physical inspection) with an automated electronic tracking system using location beacons and sensors. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming mechanical process of searching for assets by implementing an automated detection and reporting system
2Adaptability or versatility
If welding assets are reallocated between welding jobs, then resource flexibility is improved, but efficiency is reduced due to lack of real-time usage data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where location beacons continuously monitor welding asset positions and usage status, and this information is automatically reported to the tracking system. This real-time feedback enables informed decision-making for asset reallocation without manual intervention or estimation
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system performs preliminary analysis of asset usage patterns and availability before reallocation decisions are made. By having real-time data on asset status and location, the system can proactively identify suitable assets for upcoming jobs and prepare allocation plans in advance
3Reliability
If welding assets are monitored manually, then asset tracking is possible, but the system becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tracking system into segmented, distributed location beacons placed throughout the welding environment. Each beacon independently performs location detection and reporting, eliminating the need for a single complex centralized tracking device and reducing overall system complexity through modular deployment
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems (100) for and method of welding asset tracking are disclosed. A welding asset tracking system (100) comprises an asset tracking network of tags (180), hubs (160), and/or gateways (140) retained by welding assets (200a-c) within a welding area. The asset tracking network obtains and/or communicates to an asset tracking server (110) welding data related to one or more of the welding assets (200a-c), as well as position data obtained via an internal and/or external positioning system (108). In this way, the welding asset tracking server (110) continually receives updated information regarding each welding assets (200a-c) identity, location, and/or use. This updated information is used by a welding asset manager to locate welding assets (200a-c), allocate assets (200a-c) to different welding jobs, as well as determine whether assets (200a-c) should be brought in for maintenance and/or whether new assets (200a-c) should be acquired.