Seam Tracking
Systems are used in these industries:
Tank, Cylinder and Pressure
Vessel
Fabrication
Beam and structural assemblies
Pipe and tubing fabrication
Gooseneck
Trailer Beams
Two seam tracking systems mounted back-to-back
welding both web-to-flange fillet welds simultaneously. Each system
tracks both welds in real time using a custom sensor tip. This system
adjusts the weld torch horizontally and vertically to respond immediately
to changes in the weld joint location.
Sub-Arc Welding Semi-Truck
and Trailer Wheels
The seam tracking system tracks the press-fit
joint between the web and the rim of the wheel. Using a Lincoln
sub-arc system, the weld starts and stops at the valve stem hole.
The Seam Sensor automatically senses the end of the weld and retracts
the torch.
Grain
Elevator Augur One seam tracker
is used to track one side of the flight-to-shaft joint, which positions
two MIG torches on each side of the flight to weld both sides simultaneously.
Aluminum
Fuel Tanks Two ST-300 seam tracking systems track the end caps to tank
shell lap joint. This is a synchronized welding system which simultaneously
welds both end caps.
Precise control of both weld zones is acheived with the AP Automation Dual Pendant for Seam Tracking. The equipment was modified to enable a hotter
weld during the overlap portion. Welding speeds of 20 to 35 ipm with
300 ipm wire feed speed were also achieved.
The Process:
Operator pushes dual pendant start button
Both weld joints are automatically located
Weld begins – vertical and horizontal changes in the joint are tracked to 0.001”
End of weld is sensed – hot tie-in takes place, weld stops
Weld heads retract for loading and unloading new tank
Entire process is completely automatic with the push of a button
Dual
Head Sub-Arc Heat Exchanger
Dual seam tracking system precisely tracks spacing
between cobalt tubes for two linear welds using a side beam carriage
and two 10 x 10 cross slides. The seam tracking controller positions
the Lincoln sub-arc welding torches precisely between the tubing.
Aluminum
Propane Cylinders One seam tracker
is used to track the lap joint in the center of the tank. Since the
seam tracker is synchronized with two other MIG torches to weld the
handle and the cylinder stand, all three welds take place in one pass.
Hot
Water Tanks Welding both ends
at once using two seam tracking systems, this system achieves very
high production rates with minimal equipment cost. This system utilizes
short-arc MIG welding on .062” to .125” thick bead blasted
steel.
Heavy
Wall Corrugated Shipping Containers
Utilizing dual MIG-torches and custom probe tips,
each torch independently tracks the peaks and valleys of the corrugated
sheet metal. This system utilizes high speed cross slides with custom
controls. A side beam carriage moves two torches with their cross
slides, welding both sides of panel at the same time.
