METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRACKING SEAM WELDS ON PIPES AND THE LIKE

摘要

Apparatus and method for accurately aligning and applying the outside longitudinal weld seam, with the weld seam of a section of large diameter thick gauge steel pipe generally after the inside weld has already been made including support means for maintaining the pipe section in a stationary position, a plurality of adjustable scanning and tracking assemblies mounted at spaced measured stations along the length of the apparatus, each of which include optical scanning means whereby the scanning and tracking assemblies can be centered with respect to the seam weld of the pipe section at the point of scan, guide means connected to each scanning assembly so that the movement thereof causes said guide means to assume a contour corresponding to the longitudinal weld seam, and a welding machine which follows the path of said guide means to thereby apply the outside weld seam in alignment with the weld seam as the pipe is held stationary and the welding machine travels along the length thereof.