Patent ID: 6840433
Filing Date: 2005-01-11
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A method for welding a plurality of pipes, including first, second and third pipes, to each other, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an apparatus comprising a rigid frame, first and second clamping means for clamping the pipes, and welding means for welding the pipes, said first and second clamping means and welding means being supported on the frame; (b) engaging an outer side of the first pipe with the first clamping means and an outer side of the second pipe with the second clamping means and with a first end of the first pipe disposed at a welding distance from and in line with a first end of the second pipe; (c) operating the welding means to make a welding seam from outside the first and second pipes to connect the respective first ends of the first and second pipes; and (d) moving the apparatus along and over the second pipe to a second end of the second pipe and repeating steps (b)-(c) to weld the second end of the second pipe to a first end of the third pipe, wherein the method comprises determining a shape of the first pipe with help of the first clamping means, the method comprising a step of storing data pertaining to said shape in a memory as shape data, the second clamping means being brought into engagement with the second pipe based on the shape data.