Patent ID: 6046431
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
Arc welding control apparatus comprising:sensor means including a light source for projecting a first visible reference mark along a first optical axis onto the line of a weld being formed in a work-piece and a video imaging means arranged to view said work piece along a second optical axis for generating a video signal representing an image including said first reference mark, said sensor means being adapted to be mounted on or adjacent to the welding torch of arc welding apparatus for horizontal and vertical movement with said welding torch, said first and second optical axes being disposed at an angle to one another so as to intersect at a predetermined point relative to said video imaging means;sensor control means for receiving said video signal from said video imaging means, including video processing means for generating a second video signal representing a second reference mark and for combining said first and second video signals to generate a third, composite video signal representing said image including said first reference mark with an image of said second reference mark superimposed therein, and further including means for adjusting the position of said second reference mark within the frame of said image including said first reference mark.