On-line learning of welding bead geometry in industrial robots

Abstract

In this paper, we propose an architecture based on an artificial neural network (ANN), to learn welding skills automatically in industrial robots. With the aid of an optic camera and a laser-based sensor, the bead geometry (width and height) is measured. We propose a real-time computer vision algorithm to extract training patterns in order to acquire knowledge to later predict specific geometries. The proposal is implemented and tested in an industrial KUKA KR16 robot and a GMAW type machine within a manufacturing cell. Several data analysis are described as well as off-line and on-line training, learning strategies, and testing experimentation. It is demonstrated during our experiments that, after learning the skill, the robot is able to produce the requested bead geometry even without any knowledge about the welding parameters such as arc voltage and current. We implemented an on-line learning test, where the whole experiments and learning process take only about 4 min. Using this knowledge later, we obtained up to 95 % accuracy in prediction.