Meta Vision VistaWeld weld head tracking control system overcomes traditional solution disadvantages

Meta Vision Systems has developed a new calibration method which, combined with the VistaWeld's high resolution smart laser sensor (SLS), means that the laser sensor can be mounted in a fixed position on the outside of the pipe yet control the position of the internal weld head. As the sensor is fixed, there is no need for a separate sensor slide. The VistaWeld overcomes the problems associated with the two commonly used traditional methods. In the first of these, the laser sensor is mounted directly to the internal head and controls its position by sensing the joint directly ahead of the point of welding. The disadvantage is that there may not be enough space for the sensor inside pipes of small diameter. Another problem in two-step mills is that the internal environment is severe due to the volume of weld spatter. This led to the development of the second traditional method, in which the sensor is mounted outside the pipe on an additional servo slide. The sensor can track the joint dynamically from the outside, as the weld head inside the pipe is mounted on a similar servo slide which mimics the action of the external slide. The disadvantage of this approach is its high cost and complexity, as it requires an expensive additional servo slide system for the sensor only. Moreover, the machine operator has to synchronise both sensor and weld head slides before welding can begin. The inside-out VistaWeld SLS tracking system has already been installed on several spiral pipe mills with good results. It is applicable equally to one-step and two-step mills.