Welding Robot Program Optimization via Geometrical Visualization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Adjusting welding robot programs to improve weld quality is challenging due to the large impact of small parameter changes and the difficulty in interpreting the variation of welding parameters along the welding path from extensive log data, requiring numerous test runs and complicating operator adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A method that compiles and processes log file data to create a geometrical visualization, pairing welding parameters with geometrical positions, allowing for easier adjustment and optimization of the robot program by dividing the welding path into clusters and providing detailed information for selected areas, facilitating incremental corrections and adaptive adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If welding parameters are adjusted to improve weld quality, then weld quality is improved, but the complexity of parameter adjustment increases due to the large impact of small changes and the need for numerous test runs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweld qualityVSAvoidparameter adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The welding path is divided into multiple segments or regions, allowing operators to analyze and adjust parameters for specific portions of the weld rather than the entire path. This segmentation is achieved through the graphical user interface which displays welding parameters at different locations, enabling targeted adjustments to improve weld quality without requiring comprehensive retesting of the entire welding path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides visual feedback through a graphical user interface that displays welding parameters (such as voltage, current, speed) plotted against the welding path geometry. This feedback mechanism allows operators to immediately see the relationship between parameter variations and weld locations, enabling informed adjustments without numerous test runs. The log file data is presented in a visually intuitive format that shows parameter deviations and their correspondence to specific weld segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If comprehensive log file data is collected to analyze welding parameters, then complete information is available, but the difficulty of interpreting the data increases due to the large amount of information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding parameter information completenessVSAvoiddata interpretation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system transforms one-dimensional log file data (parameter values over time) into a two-dimensional visual representation by plotting welding parameters against the geometric coordinates of the welding path. This dimensional transformation allows operators to spatially correlate parameter variations with specific weld locations, making the data much more interpretable while retaining complete information about parameter variations throughout the entire welding process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a visual copy or representation of the welding path geometry and overlays welding parameter data onto this graphical copy. Instead of presenting raw numerical data from log files, the system generates a graphical user interface that copies the essential geometric information and combines it with parameter data in a visually intuitive format, reducing interpretation difficulty while preserving complete information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Manufacturing precision

If numerous test runs are performed to find suitable welding parameters, then optimal parameters are found, but the time required for optimization increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweld qualityVSAvoidoptimization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of welding parameter data by automatically collecting, storing, and visually presenting log file information before actual welding optimization takes place. By pre-processing the data and presenting it in a visually intuitive format that shows parameter variations along the welding path, the system enables operators to identify issues and make informed adjustments without requiring numerous trial welding runs, thus reducing optimization time while maintaining weld quality improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3241083B1A method for optimizing a robot program of a welding robot unit
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3241083B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3241083B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3241083B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method for optimizing a robot program of a welding robot unit (1). The method comprises compiling in a log file, information relating to a welding path on one or more workpieces (12a-b) and welding parameters recorded when executing the robot program in a welding operation forming a weld on the one or more workpieces (12a-b), and processing the log file to form a geometrical visualization of the log file so that the welding parameters are paired with geometrical positions of the weld at the one or more workpieces (12a-b).