Peter Norberg of Svetsmaskinservice in Sweden has created a novel way of making Robots more efficient, using his developed Spot on WeldFinder he has designed a tool that assists with Mig/Mag Robotic welding programming and an aid to checking existing programs. Fig 1
The Spot On WeldFinder is based on a technology utalising two lasers, one spot for the direction of the wire that shows the exact target point, and the other spot is set from the side, when the perfect stick out length is reached it becomes just one spot. Fig2a,b,c
Adjust the robot torch down towards the welding location, when the two dots have become one dot, you will have a 15mm wire stick out, note that with different distance rings attached you can adjust your stick out length as required, then simply just focus the laser dot into the joint to be welded.
Using this process, it will reduce the risk of bending the wire when it encounters a tack or if it bumps into the welding object. You can stand in a comfortable working position and control your program instead of lying inside the fixture to access the required view. Fig 3a,b
Using the precise target point and the correct stick out length will increase the weld quality and avoid welding defects, and thereby preventing costly repairs.
When you want to check a pre-programmed setting, you simply do a dry-run and stand comfortably back and check that the laser dot is in the middle of the joint. Two dots mean too short or too long stick out.
The fitting of the Spot On WeldFinder to the welding torch is easy:
- Remove the gas nozzle.
- Remove contact tip, contact tip holder and gas diffuser.
- Screw on the gas hood adapter.
- Insert the desired number of distance rings.
- Slide the laser housing and attach the battery pack to the gooseneck. Fig4a,b
To ensure that this works successfully It is important that the torch being used is not damaged, and it’s also recommended to use the welding wire on drums, as the cast on the wire can vary considerably, if smaller welding wire spools are to be used it is recommended that wire straighteners should be used.
Peter would like to acknowledge the great work carried out by Frank Fröjd who was involved in the tool design.
Peter Norberg: Svetsmaskinservice AB:
Peter has worked in the welding business for over 35 years, he has been involved in various roles including: Welder, welding coordinator, demo welder sales technical sales, and country manager in several companies.
During his time working with welding Robots, he considered that with using lasers it was possible to improve the accuracy of welding wire stick out, and from this idea the Spot On WeldFinder was born.
For further information on this Peter can be contacted at: peter.norberg@svetmaskinservice.se
Fig 1
Fig 2 a : Too long Fig 2b : Too short Fig 2c : Spot On
Fig 3 a Fig 3 b
Fig 4 a Fig 4b
