Automated weld location system for vehicles

摘要

An automatically weld locating system locates welds on a subassembly including first and second components. First and second finite element analysis models of the first and second components are retrieved. Edges of the first component are located. An outline of the first component is translated in a direction that is normal to its edge in its plane within a predetermined edge distance. A line segment of the first component is retrieved. Welds are created on the line segment with a predetermined maximum spacing and with a predetermined weld tolerance. The retrieving, determining and creating steps are repeated for additional line segments of the first component. The line segments of the second component are also processed. Welds that are within a predetermined minimum spacing are deleted.