Overview
Remote Climbing Robot for Automated Welding Processes (2008-397)
Project Team:
- Robotic Technologies of Tennessee
- General Dynamics Bath Iron Works
- Tennessee Technological University
April 2008 - June 2010
NSRP ASE Investment: $126K
Industry Investment: $136K
Objective:
Continue development of a proven climbing robot technology by developing and integrating a non-contact weld-seam tracking and feature extraction sensor system coupled with a novel navigation and welding control algorithm.
Summary:
Leveraging technology originally developed for remote inspections in the coal-fired electric power industry, the project team enhanced their mobile platform with a non-contact weld seam tracking system linked to a navigation and welding control algorithm. Further equipped with an industry-standard weld torch and wire feed, the platform is capable of near autonomous welding in almost any direction – vertical, horizontal or inverted. The current version of the robotic welding platform was achieved using feedback from the shipbuilding and welding industry and underwent field testing at Bath Iron Works.
Key Deliverables:
Request Final Report from NSRP – Limited Distribution authorized to U.S. shipyards and NSRP ASE Program representatives
Point of Contact:
James Beard, Robotic Technologies of Tennessee