Patent ID: 6249718
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: B25J,G05B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of automatically tracking the joint between a first component and a second component for performing a welding operation, comprising the steps of:defining a preliminary path for said joint;moving a welding torch along said preliminary path;providing an arc welding current to said welding torch;alternately moving said welding torch slightly to a first side of said preliminary path and to a second side of said preliminary path as said welding torch is being moved along said preliminary path;providing a first current measurement by measuring said arc welding current when said welding torch is to said first side;providing a second current measurement by measuring said arc welding current when said welding torch is to said second side;comparing said first current measurement and said second current measurement; andredefining said preliminary path by moving said welding torch slightly to the side of said preliminary path which provides the smaller of said current measurements.