Patent ID: 9221118
Filing Date: 2015-12-29
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. An adaptive control hybrid welding system comprising: a hybrid welding apparatus, the hybrid welding apparatus having a laser and an electric arc welder, the laser and the electric arc welder each having adjustable welding parameters and being arranged to alter the spacing between a laser beam of the laser and an arc of the electric arc welder; a control system connected to the hybrid welding apparatus, wherein the control system modifies the adjustable welding parameters of the laser and the electric arc welder and the spacing between the laser beam of the laser and the arc of the electric arc welder; and a seam tracker connected to the control system, the seam tracker operable to measure a seam property of adjacent workpieces prior to welding, the seam tracker operable to send signals to the control system in response to the measured seam property, wherein the control system modifies the adjustable welding parameters based on the signal from the seam tracker, wherein the adaptive control hybrid welding system joins adjacent workpieces having variable gaps along the seam.