Patent ID: 6173882
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
A method of locating workpieces for welding comprising the steps of:(a) providing a plurality of fixtures at a first station.(b) holding a workpiece by said fixtures at a plurality of spaced critical points in a position for welding,(c) welding the workpiece while held by said fixtures,(d) after welding, transferring the workpiece to a second station,(e) at said second station, determining by optic means the actual location of each of said critical points,(f) generating measurement data indicative of such actual critical point locations,(g) comparing such measurement data of actual critical point locations with ideal critical point location data for each of said critical points to calculate the error, if any, in the position in which the workpiece was held by each of said fixtures during welding,(h) adjusting said fixtures to compensate for the error when holding a subsequent workpiece for welding, andwherein the optic means comprises a laser optic camera for each of such actual critical point locations.