Xiris Combines Seam Tracking and Weld Camera in a Single Unit

Xiris Automation announced the WeldStudio Tracker, new seam tracking software that works with its NIR (Near Infrared) HDR (High Dynamic Range) cameras, allowing automated welding cells to perform seam tracking and weld process monitoring with a single piece of hardware. Seam tracking is a well-established, real-time control technology used in automated and robotic welding. Typically, it monitors the joint or weld seam just ahead of where the weld is to be deposited, automatically correcting the position of the welding torch to compensate for metal warping, heat distortion, or poor edge preparation.

AI machine vision software runs on Xiris NIR weld cameras, delivering seam tracking measurements at the arc while giving operators a live view of the process. While tactile, through-the-arc and laser optical seam trackers all have their place as effective tools, none of them provides visual feedback to the operator about the process, leaving the operator unable to confirm visually whether the process is in control. Adding a weld camera solves that problem, providing crystal-clear images of the weld arc and its surrounding background using 140+dB HDR imaging. Features like the torch, arc, melt pool and seam are clear enough in a weld camera image to allow the operator to understand what is going on with their process and determine if any process inputs require adjustment.

WeldStudio Tracker incorporates AI machine vision tools using models trained on the customer's application and process. The result is robust tracking of key features of the root, weld bead and joint, providing accurate and reliable seam tracking measurements across multiple weld passes. This approach offers several advantages over other seam tracking technologies. Because tracking measurements are made right at the arc, no offset is needed to account for the distance between the seam measurement position and the electrode arc position. Because the camera image contains both the torch and the seam/groove, their absolute positions and relative measurements due to movement or distortion can be measured.

(Source: Xiris Automation)