Artificial intelligence pipe welding system launched
ARC Specialties' Artificial Intelligence Pipe Welding System (AIPW) incorporates a collaborative robot arm from Universal Robots to carry out challenging welds in the oil & gas industry. See video.
ARC Specialties’ Artificial Intelligence Pipe Welding System (AIPW) incorporates the 6-axis UR5 collaborative robot arm from Universal Robots to carry out challenging welds in the oil & gas industry. “The UR5 now becomes our ‘golden arm’,” said Dan Allford, president of ARC Specialties. “The UR5 is small enough to be portable yet still allows full freedom of motion for both the laser scanner and welding torch. The robot is able to safely work in close proximity to humans.” The AIPW launched at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston.
The AIPW pre-scans the root opening (gap) using a 2-D laser and uses the data to generate the robot path and welding parameters. Gap variations are compensated for with changes in oscillation, torch position, travel speed and welding conditions. The UR5 positions the torch over a tack weld to start the arc to insure 100% root weld acceptance. Fill and cap pass programs are optimized to fill the groove using user selectable weave or stringer bead welding techniques.
The AIPW uses a welding power supply to weld the root with Regulated Metal Deposition (RMD), then switches to pulsed spray for the fill and cap passes. This combination of Gas Metal Arc Welding techniques maximizes welding productivity while producing X-Ray quality, full penetration pipe welds.
Universal Robots
Arc Specialties
– Edited from a Universal Robots press release by CFE Media.
Original content can be found at Oil and Gas Engineering.
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