In-process endpoint detection of weld seam removal in robotic abrasive belt grinding process

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel approach for in-process endpoint detection of weld seam removal during robotic abrasive belt grinding process using discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and support vector machine (SVM). A virtual sensing system is developed consisting of a force sensor, accelerometer sensor and machine learning algorithm. This work also presents the trend of the sensor signature at each stage of weld seam evolution during its removal process. The wavelet decomposition coefficient is used to represent all possible types of transients in vibration and force signals generated during grinding over weld seam. “Daubechies-4” wavelet function was used to extract features from the sensors. An experimental investigation using three different weld profile conditions resulting from the weld seam removal process using abrasive belt grinding was identified. The SVM-based classifier was employed to predict the weld state. The results demonstrate that the developed diagnostic methodology can reliably predict endpoint at which weld seam is removed in real time during compliant abrasive belt grinding.