Technical Literature Review of Telerobotics for Arc Welding
Industrial Need
Robotic welding systems are well established, but are limited in terms of adaptability based on existing control systems. The ability to directly translate operator movements to a (potentially hostile) welding environment would allow an increased adaptability.
Key Findings
- There are direct, vision-based and mechanical methods of capturing a welder’s movement, for potential subsequent use in telerobotic/remote robotic welding operations.
- Direct control methods have been demonstrated for welding, e.g. in a “joystick” approach and are at a significantly high enough technology readiness level (TRL) for application to welding.
- Complex vision and mechanical systems are both at relatively low TRL for welding, with them generally being restricted to research projects, and have significant knowhow and cost/complexity requirements associated with them.