LABVIEW Based Simulation on Welding Seam Tracking Using Edge Detection Technique

High performance and precision characteristics in automatic welding technology continues to find a wider application in diverse industries. A welding simulation for seam tracking based on a purpose-built vision sensor is designed to improve the welding efficiency of robotic Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW). A shape-matching algorithm is suggested and simulated using graphical device design software LabVIEW to achieve a reliable and precise seam tracking process that is sensitive to groove styles. Relevant modules such as smart parameter setting, image capture and processing, welding expert database, robot communication and route planning modules are included in the software. The main feature of using vision technology is to acquire direct images of the real-time weld path and accurately process them. This is directly linked to seam tracking accuracy. The coordinates for the ABB industrial robot are fed through the profi-bus cable through the use of the Virtual Instrumentation with data acquisition system (DAQ) in NI LabVIEW.