Seam tracking with texture based image processing for laser materials processing

This presentation deals with a camera based seam tracking system for laser materials processing. The digital high speed camera records interaction point and illuminated work piece surface. The camera system is coaxially integrated into the laser beam path. The aim is to observe interaction point and joint gap in one image for a closed loop control of the welding process. Especially for the joint gap observation a new image processing method is used. Basic idea is to detect a difference between the textures of the surface of the two work pieces to be welded together instead of looking for a nearly invisible narrow line imaged by the joint gap. The texture based analysis of the work piece surface is more robust and less affected by varying illumination conditions than conventional grey scale image processing. This technique of image processing gives in some cases the opportunity for real zero gap seam tracking. In a condensed view economic benefits are simultaneous laser and seam tracking for self-calibrating laser welding applications without special seam pre preparation for seam tracking.