AUTOMATED NON-DESTRUCTIVE WELD EVALUATION METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

A method and apparatus for automated, non-destructive evaluation of spot welds (106) includes a device for heating (102) a sample containing a spot weld (106), an infrared camera (108) for detecting changes in the surface temperature of the weld, and a computer (112) to acquire and analyze data from the camera (108). In one embodiment, the sample is heated on one side and the time-temperature characteristic is monitored as the heat travels through the sample and the spot weld (106). The computer (112) generates a histogram that represents the relationship between a particular time-temperature characteristic and the number of pixels corresponding to weld quality, the inventive apparatus and method provides an objective weld quality indicator and allows automation of the evaluation process.