Raising Quality and Efficiency of Welding Operations with a Complete Quality Management Solution
Until now, welding operations have required a series of disconnected activities: fixture alignment and verification followed by weld execution, verification and documentation. Most of these activities are manual and often paper-driven, even in robotic welding shops. But that’s about to change! Today, Aligned Vision technologies leverage the power of digitalization to bring connected, paperless, model-driven efficiencies to your shop floor.
Model-Guided Setup and Execution
Proper alignment of fixtures and components and placement of welds no longer require the time-consuming efforts of highly skilled operators to interpret blueprints and manually identify physical locations in 3D space. LASERGUIDE or LASERVISION automatically reads the CAD model and accurately projects locations. Select a laser projector tailored to your needs from our complete portfolio, guiding tasks in confined spaces, in mobile applications, on giant structures, or anywhere in between.
Operators of any skill level immediately see where each task is to be performed. More than that, they are guided with electronic work instructions (EWI) on smart mobile devices, eliminating not only paper-based instructions but also hundreds of steps back and forth to a control computer.
Automatic Inspection and Real-Time Correction
Verifying fixture and component alignment as well as the location and quality of each weld is nearly instantaneous with LASERVISION, which eliminates tedious and error-prone manual verification and documentation. Highly accurate model-directed and machine vision-based inspections occur automatically whenever the electronic work instructions call for them. Any flaws or nonconformances are flagged by the system, and LASERVISION’s laser projector quickly guides operators to the suspect location for real-time correction. Electronic documentation is automatically populated with captured images, verification data and information on each corrective measure performed.
| LASERGUIDE/LASERVISION FEATURE | BENEFITS TO WELDING OPERATIONS |
|---|---|
| Operates 3m or more away from production equipment | Does not interfere with or disrupt production equipment Value-added operations continue while inspections are performed |
| Performs best-in-class laser projection | Accelerates accurate fixture and component alignment and ensures accurate weld placement |
| Provides operators with electronic work instructions (EWI) | Facilitates the paperless factory Helps ensure that processes are carried out as planned |
| Enables tablet- or phone-size remote control | Eliminates step-away time to consult the work cell controller |
| Captures detailed, calibrated high-resolution images in 3m x 3m envelope | Automates inspection of fixture/component alignment and weld placement/quality High-magnification camera provides required detail in each image (typically 20cm x 20cm) |
| Verifies attributes and flags nonconformances for immediate corrective action | Enables inspection of all attributes (not just a sampling) Keeps nonconformances from advancing through production |
| Pinpoints anomalies with laser projector | Directs operators efficiently to the anomaly’s location |
| Feeds the as-built digital twin | Enhances traceability with images and data for the life of the assembly Provides data needed for deep learning and continuous process improvement |