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Remote Climbing Robot for Automated Welding Processes

  • Remote Climbing Robot for Automated Welding Processes
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

   NSRP is co-funded by the U.S. Shipbuilding Industry and U.S. Navy

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