Methods and systems for detecting weld defects, and methods for manufacturing vehicles using such methods or systems, are provided. An exemplary method includes receiving an input indicating a weld material and material thickness by a portable computing device and determining, with the portable computing device, a detection protocol for the weld material and material thickness. Further, the method includes communicating the detection protocol from the portable computing device to a portable heating source and to a portable thermographic sensor, heating a weld with the portable heating source according to the detection protocol, and recording thermographic data from the weld with the portable thermographic sensor according to the detection protocol. Also, the method includes communicating the thermographic data from the portable thermographic sensor to the portable computing device, and analyzing the thermographic data to detect whether the weld includes a defect and/or determine type, dimension and location of the defect.

A system for inspecting a part while said part is produced by additive manufacturing, includes an additive manufacturing apparatus having a build tray, the apparatus being configured to fabricate the part layer-by-layer on the tray; an automated tool holder carrying a tool configured to deposit, add or weld layer-upon-layer of material; the tool holder and tray are configured to move relative to one another along a defined path; and an inspection device attached to the tool holder and configured to scan a layer of material in situ. The tool holder alternately arranges the tool and inspection device in a working position so that the tool holder fixes the tool in the working position for depositing, adding, or welding the layer of material and thereafter the tool holder switches said tool with the inspection device into the working position for scanning and detecting defects in the layer of material.

A method of processing an object with a light beam includes the following steps: projecting a light beam onto the object via a first scanner so as to produce a heated area by locally heating the object; displacing the heated area along a track on the object; capturing images of a first portion of the object with a first camera, via the first scanner; and capturing images of a second portion of the object with a second camera, via a second scanner.

The first scanner and the second scanner are operated so that the first camera captures images of the heated area, whereas the second camera captures images of portions of the object behind and/or ahead of the heated area.

A method for supervision of a scan of an energy beam includes the following steps: providing an apparatus configured to provide the energy beam and a scanner to scan the energy beam, the scanner having two mirrors; operating the apparatus and the scanner such that the energy beam is provided while it is scanned according to a predetermined scanning pattern; determining, at least one processor of a computer device or system, an actual scanning pattern of the energy beam, when both the apparatus and the scanner are operated, by processing measurements provided by encoders of the two mirrors; and comparing, the at least one processor, the actual scanning pattern with a predetermined threshold area. A system for supervision of a scan of an energy beam includes an apparatus to provide the energy beam and a scanner to scan the laser beam, the scanner having two mirrors, each having at least an encoder; and a computing device or system with at least one processor.

Disclosed is an assessment method for making an assessment of laser welding between first and second cylindrical metal members, wherein the first and second cylindrical metal members are arranged coaxially to define an overlap range where the first and second cylindrical metal members overlap each other; and wherein the laser welding is performed on the overlap range along a circumferential direction of the overlap range. The assessment method includes: during the laser welding, carrying out a measurement of a position of a contour of at least one of the first and second cylindrical metal members; and judging the occurrence or non-occurrence of a position deviation of the at least one of the first and second cylindrical metal members based on a result of the measurement.

A method for selecting an alloy for additive manufacturing includes melting a first material and a second material together to create a material melt, spinning the material melt to create melt spun ribbons, welding the ribbons together to produce a weld, and determining a weld quality of the weld.

A method for selecting an alloy for additive manufacturing includes melting a first material and a second material together to create a material melt, spinning the material melt to create melt spun ribbons, welding the ribbons together to produce a weld, and determining a weld quality of the weld.

The invention relates to a method for the additive manufacture of at least one region (16) of a component. Here, at least the following steps are carried out: a) layer-wise application of at least one powder-form component material onto a component platform in the region of a build-up and joining zone (14); b) layer-wise and local solidifying of the component material by selective exposure of the component material by at least one high-energy beam (12) in the region of the build-up and joining zone (14), with the formation of a component layer (15); c) layer-wise lowering of the component platform by a pre-defined layer thickness; and d) repeating steps a) to c) until the component region (16) or the component has been completely fabricated.

The present invention relates to a technique to assess dependence of laser machining on laser light intensity with high accuracy by a simple method. First, machining state information showing a machining state by laser machining at a machining position on a workpiece is acquired. Before or after that, or at the same time as that, intensity distribution information showing intensity distribution of laser light at the machining position is acquired. Dependence of the laser machining of the workpiece on the laser light intensity is assessed based on the acquired machining state information and intensity distribution information. For example, it is possible to acquire a breakage threshold for a workpiece in laser machining in a highly accurate and simply manner.

A modular two-part welding and processing platform is described. A cart section is capable of rotating around objects such as pipes and cylinders, or of linear travel along plates or the like. This cart section reversibly couples to a processing section supplied for instance with welding apparatus, painting apparatus, cleaning means, analysis means or the like. By means of this two-part device, work pieces can be cleaned, welded, and inspected quickly and accurately. Special marks may be provided on the work piece which in conjunction with sensors and motoring means on the cart, allow for precise positioning of the process head with respect to the work.