AUTOMATIC WELD HEAD ALIGNMENT AND GUIDANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

A system for aligning and guiding a weld head or torch along a desired weld path includes a travel mechanism for moving a weld head assembly along a fixed path and a steering mechanism for moving a weld head or torch relative to the fixed path in order to follow a desired weld path. A method of establishing the desired weld path includes the steps of establishing coordinates of the path by moving the weld head or torch to positions along the desired path and recording locations of the weld head or torch at the desired positions. Movement of the weld head or torch between the coordinates is achieved by interpolating a path as the weld head or torch is moved from one coordinate to the next following initiation of an automatic steering program.