Welding method for joining tubes, involves moving probe along welding groove in order to position welding wire relative to this groove before welding has commenced

摘要

First end edge of one tube (1) is brought into contact with a second end edge on the other tube (2) in order to form a welding groove (3) which is fed with welding wire (62) during the welding process. The position of the wire relative to the two end edges prior to welding is determined using a probe with a known position relative to the wire. The probe is then moved into the groove so that it comes firstly into contact with a surface on the first edge and then secondly with a surface on the second edge in order to determine the positions of these two edges. Independent claims are also included for: (a) welding device for carrying out this method, which includes a probe, a displacement device for moving the probe along the welding groove and a device for detecting physical contact between the probe and one or both of the end edges; (b) welding robot (5) with this welding device; (c) computer software for carrying out this welding method; and (d) computer signal for carrying out this welding method.