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A calibration tool for weld penetration depth estimation based on dimensional and thermal sensor fusion

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Abstract

Weld quality monitoring and assessment in industrial robotic arc welding processes is key to ensure suitability of a component for the intended application. In particular, weld penetration depth is as a major fabrication requirement that has to be addressed. Several alternatives have been proposed based on the use of individual monitoring techniques, but, due to the physical challenges of the welding process and accessibility restrictions to the weld root, multi-sensor approaches have been recently developed. These methods require the adoption of complex setups or calibration strategies. In this work, a multi-sensor approach is proposed to create a calibration tool for weld penetration depth assessment, overcoming physical accessibility restrictions and enabling depth evaluation instantaneously, opening the gate for online usage.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Basque Government (HAZITEK Program) and the European Union (FEDER-ERDF).

We also acknowledge the support and input received from GESTAMP Autotech Engineering for the development of this study.

Funding

The reported study was funded by the Basque Government Industry Department and the European Union (FEDER-ERDF) through \HAZITEK’ Programme, project number ZE-2018/00032—ZEROEHUN.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LORTEK Technological Centre - Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Arranomendia kalea 4A, 20240, Ordizia, Spain

    Aitor Zalakain-Azpiroz, Nieves Rodríguez, Aitor García de la Yedra & Xabier Angulo-Vinuesa

  2. GESTAMP – AUTOTECH ENGINEERING, Parque Empresarial Boroa P2A 4 Local, 48340, Boroa, Spain

    Joaquín Piccini

Authors
  1. Aitor Zalakain-Azpiroz
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  2. Nieves Rodríguez
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  3. Aitor García de la Yedra
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  4. Joaquín Piccini
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  5. Xabier Angulo-Vinuesa
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The authors declare that they are all participants in the work and none of them performed only administrative functions.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xabier Angulo-Vinuesa.

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Zalakain-Azpiroz, A., Rodríguez, N., García de la Yedra, A. et al. A calibration tool for weld penetration depth estimation based on dimensional and thermal sensor fusion. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 119, 2145–2158 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-021-08428-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-021-08428-x

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