System for a welding sequencer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9937577-B2
Application number	US-201313802951-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 14, 2013
Priority date	Dec 20, 2006
Publication date	Apr 10, 2018
Grant date	Apr 10, 2018

Abstract

The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method for evaluating one or more conditions or preliminary weld condition related to a welding system and/or method that utilizes a welding sequence to perform two or more welds with respective welding schedules. In an embodiment, an operator registration is provided that verifies the operator and identifies welding sequences to which the operator is authorized to perform. In another embodiment, one or more fixture locations are monitored to determine whether a workpiece is accurately configured prior to a welding operation. In still another embodiment, locations on a workpiece can be displayed to assist an operator in performing two or more welds utilizing a welding sequence. Moreover, a wireless system communications a data signal to a welding work cell in which such data is used to identify a welding sequence.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A welder system, comprising:
a first component that is configured to identify an operator within a welding work cell to perform a first welding procedure on a workpiece and a second welding procedure on the workpiece;
a welding job sequencer component that is configured to select one or more welding sequences based on the identification of the operator, wherein the welding sequence defines at least a parameter and a welding schedule for the first welding procedure to create a first weld on the workpiece and the second welding procedure to create a second weld on the workpiece; and
the welding job sequencer component is configured to utilize the welding sequence in the welding work cell to facilitate performing the first welding procedure and the second welding procedure for the identified operator; and
the welding job sequencer component is further configured to employ the welding sequence for the welding work cell to perform one or more welds to assemble the workpiece by automatically adjusting a setting on a welding equipment within the welding work cell.

2. The welder system of claim 1 , further comprising a weld score component that is configured to evaluate at least one of the first weld or the second weld performed on the workpiece by the operator based upon at least one of an image of the first weld or the second weld or a user inspection.

3. The welder system of claim 1 , further comprising a check point component that is configured to monitor the identified operator and creation of at least one of the first weld or the second weld in real time.

4. The welder system of claim 1 , wherein the welding job sequencer component further instructs an operator of the welding work cell to assemble the workpiece with the first welding procedure and the second welding procedure having two separate welding schedules.

5. The welder system of claim 1 , wherein the first component is configured to identify the operator with a portion of biometric data.

6. The welder system of claim 5 , wherein the portion of biometric data is at least one of a handprint, a fingerprint, a retinal scan of an eye, a portion of facial data of the operator, a height of the operator, or a weight of the operator.

7. The welder system of claim 1 , wherein the first component identifies the operator by an image and the image is located on at least one of a helmet of the operator, a protective shield on a helmet, a glove, a welding gun, an identification badge, a welding jacket, a welding sleeve, a welding apron, or a pair of glasses.

8. The welder system of claim 7 , wherein the image is at least one of a barcode, an employee identification, a set of letters, a set of numbers, a Quick Response (QR) code, a graphic, a logo, or a three-dimensional (3D) barcode.

9. The welder system of claim 1 , further comprising: a monitor component that is configured to detect a location of at least one fixture used with the workpiece within the welding work cell, wherein the at least one fixture secures the workpiece from movement during the first weld or the second weld.

10. The welder system of claim 9 , wherein the monitor component that is further configured to verify the location of the at least one fixture corresponds to a location indicated with the welding sequence.

11. The welder system of claim 10 , wherein the monitor component is at least one of a pressure sensor, an image capture device, or a video device.

12. The welder system of claim 10 , wherein the monitor component detects the location of the at least one fixture based on an orientation of the workpiece within the welding cell.

13. The welder system of claim 1 , further comprising a location component that is configured to indicate a weld location for the workpiece to the operator based upon the welding sequence.

14. The welder system of claim 13 , wherein the location component projects the weld location on at least one of the workpiece or an equipment of the operator.

15. The welder system of claim 14 , wherein the equipment of the operator is at least one of a helmet, a visor, a lens on a pair of glasses, or a display on a glove.

16. The welder system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) component that is configured to receive a wireless signal from an RFID tag affixed to the workpiece, wherein the wireless signal includes data to identify the workpiece; and
a select component that is configured to identify the welding sequence based on the identified workpiece.

17. A welder system, comprising a welding job sequencer component configured for:
receiving an input from an operator, the input is a portion of biometric data of the operator;
verifying an identity of the operator by comparing the input to a system authenticated input for the operator;
receiving a wireless signal from a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag that is affixed to a workpiece, wherein the wireless signal includes a portion of data that is used to identify a welding sequence for the workpiece;
identifying the welding sequence the operator is to perform based on the wireless signal, wherein the welding sequence defines a one or more welding procedures that includes one or more parameters to create one or more welds on the workpiece;
monitoring at least one fixture for a workpiece within the welding work cell;
verifying a location of the at least one fixture for the workpiece based on a location indicated in the welding sequence; and
employing the welding sequence for the welding work cell to perform one or more welds to assemble the workpiece by automatically adjusting a setting on a welding equipment within the welding work cell.

Assignees

• Lincoln Global Inc

Inventors

• Daniel Joseph A
• Didion Michael
• Enyedy Edward
• Fleming Daniel
• Hearn James

Classifications

• G05B2219/31048

  Project on workpiece, image of finished workpiece, info or a spot · CPC title

• B23K9/1043

  characterised by the electric circuit (B23K9/1012 takes precedence) · CPC title

• Y02P90/20

  Cross-Sectional Technologies · mapped topic

• B23K9/0953

  using computing means · CPC title

• B23K9/0956 Primary

  using sensing means, e.g. optical · CPC title