Development of a Portable Internal Welding Robot for Pipeline Applications

开发用于管道应用的便携式内焊机器人

• 批准号: 568503-2021
• 负责人: Moallem, MehrdadM
• 金额: $ 5.46万
• 依托单位: Simon Fraser University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Alliance Grants
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=760555
• 关键词: Development; Portable; Internal; Welding; Robot

Current industrial welding robots are huge and stationary serial manipulators in which workpieces have to be transferred to the robot's workstation. This is an impossible task for pipeline seam welding due to the limited space inside the pipe and high operational space required by conventional robots. As a result, internal seam welding in a pipe can be extremely difficult to perform correctly, even when done manually by a professional welder. The objective of this proposal is to develop a new generation of portable welding robots dedicated for pipeline internal seam welding. The partner organization, Jewel Welding, Pipe-Fab & Coatings LTD, is a leading Canadian company in pipeline welding, spooling, and specialty-coatings. Based on the experience and studies conducted by the partner, the market is wide open for a new robotic device that can be used for different pipe sizes, is not bulky, and is economical. The aim of this project is to develop a novel robotic mechanism with a novel holding and guiding system that would allow the robot to be mounted safely inside pipelines and be able to move the welding torch smoothly and accurately on the seam. The proposed welding robot will improve weld quality with minimum operator interference, which will help in lowering operational costs by decreasing the setup time and labor hours while maintaining a high-quality weld. The proposed welding robot can further provide a uniform weld bead with minimum operator interference. The project will provide an excellent environment for training HQP in the multidisciplinary area of robotics and automation by expanding the boundaries of knowledge both in the industrial and academic fields related to mobile robotics pipeline welding. The company and SFU team have the expertise and resources to make this collaboration a success in terms of developing a novel robotic welding system that can be commercialized by the company after the proposed R&D activity has been conducted. To this end, the company will actively participate in the proposed R&D activity by providing cash and in-kind contributions.

目前的工业焊接机器人是巨大的和固定的串行机械手，其中工件必须被转移到机器人的工作站。由于管道内部空间有限，传统机器人需要很高的操作空间，这对于管道缝焊来说是不可能完成的任务。因此，即使由专业焊工手动完成，管道中的内部缝焊也极难正确执行。本项目的目标是开发新一代便携式管道内缝焊专用焊接机器人。合作伙伴组织Jewel Welding，Pipe-Fab & Coatings LTD是一家在管道焊接、缠绕和特殊涂层方面处于领先地位的加拿大公司。根据合作伙伴的经验和研究，市场对一种新的机器人设备敞开大门，这种设备可用于不同的管道尺寸，体积不大，经济实惠。该项目的目的是开发一种新型的机器人机构，具有新型的保持和引导系统，使机器人能够安全地安装在管道内，并能够在焊缝上平稳准确地移动焊枪。所提出的焊接机器人将以最小的操作员干扰来提高焊接质量，这将有助于通过减少设置时间和劳动时间来降低运营成本，同时保持高质量的焊接。所提出的焊接机器人可以进一步提供具有最小操作者干扰的均匀焊缝。该项目将通过扩展与移动的机器人管道焊接相关的工业和学术领域的知识边界，为机器人和自动化多学科领域的HQP培训提供良好的环境。该公司和SFU团队拥有专业知识和资源，使此次合作在开发新型机器人焊接系统方面取得成功，该系统可以在拟议的研发活动完成后由公司商业化。为此，公司将通过提供现金和实物捐助积极参与拟议的研发活动。