An arc-tracking welding method according to the present invention is an arc-tracking welding method in a consumable-electrode-type welding apparatus provided with a weaving function for swinging a torch in the welding direction, wherein a welding current and a welding voltage to be supplied to a consumable electrode include high-frequency components. A change in resistance value resulting from a fluctuation in electrode height is detected from the welding current and the welding voltage during welding. Then, a shift of a weld line is detected from information about the detected resistance value and both end positions of a weaving amplitude.

An arc sensor adjustment device and adjustment method for carrying out highly-accurate copying control. A welding system includes a welding torch, a welding power source that supplies power to the welding torch, a robot and a robot controller that cause the welding torch to oscillate, and an arc sensor that obtains a welding current or a welding voltage generated during welding while oscillating the welding torch. The arc sensor obtains a welding current or a welding voltage generated during calibration, in which welding is carried out while oscillating the welding torch in an up-down direction, calculates, on the basis of the obtained welding current or welding voltage, a correction amount for the position of the welding torch during welding carried out while oscillating the welding torch in a left-right direction, and applies the calculated correction amount to copying control.

An arc sensor adjustment device and adjustment method for carrying out highly-accurate copying control. A welding system includes a welding torch, a welding power source that supplies power to the welding torch, a robot and a robot controller that cause the welding torch to oscillate, and an arc sensor that obtains a welding current or a welding voltage generated during welding while oscillating the welding torch. The arc sensor obtains a welding current or a welding voltage generated during calibration, in which welding is carried out while oscillating the welding torch in an up-down direction, calculates, on the basis of the obtained welding current or welding voltage, a correction amount for the position of the welding torch during welding carried out while oscillating the welding torch in a left-right direction, and applies the calculated correction amount to copying control.

The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method related to a semi-automatic or a manual welding operation and detecting a base material (e.g., workpiece) temperature, communicating the base material temperature, and adjusting the welding operation based on the detected base material temperature. A temperature sensor can detect temperature at a location that is a distance from the arc and, for instance, parallel to a direction of travel of the welding torch and such detected temperature can be communicated to the user performing the weld or the user controlling the semi-automatic welding system. The user can be informed if the detected temperature is within a tolerance or approved range or if the detected temperature is outside the tolerance or approved range for the type of base material and/or pre-defined temperature.

The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method related to a semi-automatic or a manual welding operation and detecting a base material (e.g., workpiece) temperature, communicating the base material temperature, and adjusting the welding operation based on the detected base material temperature. A temperature sensor can detect temperature at a location that is a distance from the arc and, for instance, parallel to a direction of travel of the welding torch and such detected temperature can be communicated to the user performing the weld or the user controlling the semi-automatic welding system. The user can be informed if the detected temperature is within a tolerance or approved range or if the detected temperature is outside the tolerance or approved range for the type of base material and/or pre-defined temperature.

A weld overlay machine assembly includes a carriage to support a hinged index bar and a wire feed assembly. The index bar has an auto height control unit and an index assembly to locate the position of a weld torch relative to the index bar. The assembly is configured to adjust the index bar to interior contours of the vessel while applying a layer of overlay material to a surface therein. The assembly runs along a track in the interior of the vessel. The assembly is configured to transition from sides of the vessel to that of the top or bottom domes wherein the curve of the domes are perpendicular to that of the radial sides. This transition is done without the need to add or remove components to the assembly. This is accomplished by providing the pivoting of the index bar relative to the track.

Disclosed example weld tracking system include a plurality of tracking anchors, each of the tracking anchors configured to: transmit a triggering signal, and transmit a response signal, or receive a response signal from a tracking tag; a welding device having the tracking tag attached to the welding device, the tracking tag configured to receive the triggering signal and receive the response signal, or receive the triggering signal and transmit the response signal in response to receiving the triggering signal; and a processing system configured to determine a distance between the tracking anchor and the tracking tag based on a time between the response signal being received and the triggering signal being sent or received, and determine a location of the welding device based on predetermined locations of the plurality of tracking anchors, and based on determined distances between the at least one tracking tag on the welding device and corresponding ones of the plurality of tracking anchors.

Disclosed example weld tracking system include a plurality of tracking anchors, each of the tracking anchors configured to: transmit a triggering signal, and transmit a response signal, or receive a response signal from a tracking tag; a welding device having the tracking tag attached to the welding device, the tracking tag configured to receive the triggering signal and receive the response signal, or receive the triggering signal and transmit the response signal in response to receiving the triggering signal; and a processing system configured to determine a distance between the tracking anchor and the tracking tag based on a time between the response signal being received and the triggering signal being sent or received, and determine a location of the welding device based on predetermined locations of the plurality of tracking anchors, and based on determined distances between the at least one tracking tag on the welding device and corresponding ones of the plurality of tracking anchors.

A consumable electrode type arc welding device that comprises a welding power source for supplying power between a welding wire and a base metal and a welding robot for moving and weaving a welding torch along a groove and that causes the tip end portion of the welding wire to progress into a space surrounded by a recessed molten part formed on the base metal to thereby weld the base metal . The arc welding device temporarily makes a transition to a non-buried state where the tip end portion of the welding wire does not progress into the space for a predetermined time period, acquires, from an arc sensor for detecting an amount of offset of a central position for welding from a position of the groove based on welding current flowing from the welding wire to the base metal , a detection result of the amount of the offset at least in the non-buried state, and corrects a position of the welding torch relative to the groove based on the detection result by the arc sensor in the non-buried state.

A consumable electrode type arc welding device that comprises a welding power source for supplying power between a welding wire and a base metal and a welding robot for moving and weaving a welding torch along a groove and that causes the tip end portion of the welding wire to progress into a space surrounded by a recessed molten part formed on the base metal to thereby weld the base metal . The arc welding device temporarily makes a transition to a non-buried state where the tip end portion of the welding wire does not progress into the space for a predetermined time period, acquires, from an arc sensor for detecting an amount of offset of a central position for welding from a position of the groove based on welding current flowing from the welding wire to the base metal , a detection result of the amount of the offset at least in the non-buried state, and corrects a position of the welding torch relative to the groove based on the detection result by the arc sensor in the non-buried state.