A robotic welding system having detection means for in one embodiment detecting a path of a ferro-magnetic, light-reflective or radioactive material traced over a weld seam, and a controller for providing machine commands to cause a torch tip electrode to move the weld seam. Alternatively the detection means comprises means for detecting and tracking a) a position in 3D space of a pointer tip which is in known positional relationship to determined GPS coordinates of a reference point on the welder when traced along a desired weld seam; b) the path of a point source of light when traced along a location of a desired weld seam; c) the path of light-reflective material traced or positioned over the desired weld seam; or d) a path of a tip of a digitized pointer object when traced along a desired weld seam. Methods of operating such robotic welder also disclosed.
A robotic welding system having detection means for in one embodiment detecting a path of a ferro-magnetic, light-reflective or radioactive material traced over a weld seam, and a controller for providing machine commands to cause a torch tip electrode to move the weld seam. Alternatively the detection means comprises means for detecting and tracking a) a position in 3D space of a pointer tip which is in known positional relationship to determined GPS coordinates of a reference point on the welder when traced along a desired weld seam; b) the path of a point source of light when traced along a location of a desired weld seam; c) the path of light-reflective material traced or positioned over the desired weld seam; or d) a path of a tip of a digitized pointer object when traced along a desired weld seam. Methods of operating such robotic welder also disclosed.
B25J 19/00 - Accessories fitted to manipulators, e.g. for monitoring, for viewing; Safety devices combined with or specially adapted for use in connection with manipulators
G05B 19/423 - Teaching successive positions by walk-through, i.e. the tool head or end effector being grasped and guided directly, with or without servo-assistance, to follow a path
3.
Pre-cast concrete foundation of modular construction for telecommunication or wind turbine tower
A modular foundation design for supporting a wind turbine or telecommunication tower, comprised of pre-cast concrete modules offering advantages of off-site manufacture and ease of transportation, but which deign is simple to construct. A base slab is provided comprised of sub-modules/base members arranged together in juxtaposed position which together provide a horizontal surface on which pre-cast pipe members may be stacked in end-to-end position to form a pedestal. Anchor rods extend through the pipe members into screw retainers in the base members, which rods serve to not only post-tension the pipe members and secure them together, but further advantageously serve to retain the base members together thereby assisting in distributing forces and loads applied to one sub-module/base member over the entire base slab. Coupling means to further couple the base members together may be added to better retain the base members together and still further improve distribution of forces.
A modular foundation design for supporting a wind turbine or telecommunication tower, comprised of pre-cast concrete modules offering advantages of off-site manufacture and ease of transportation, but which deign is simple to construct. A base slab is provided comprised of sub-modules/base members arranged together in juxtaposed position which together provide a horizontal surface on which pre-cast pipe members may be stacked in end-to-end position to form a pedestal. Anchor rods extend through the pipe members into screw retainers in the base members, which rods serve to not only post-tension the pipe members and secure them together, but further advantageously serve to retain the base members together thereby assisting in distributing forces and loads applied to one sub- module/base member over the entire base slab. Coupling means to further couple the base members together may be added to better retain the base members together and still further improve distribution of forces.
A modular foundation design for supporting a wind turbine or telecommunication tower, comprised of pre-cast concrete modules offering advantages of off-site manufacture and ease of transportation, but which deign is simple to construct. A base slab is provided comprised of sub-modules/base members arranged together in juxtaposed position which together provide a horizontal surface on which pre-cast pipe members may be stacked in end-to-end position to form a pedestal. Anchor rods extend through the pipe members into screw retainers in the base members, which rods serve to not only post-tension the pipe members and secure them together, but further advantageously serve to retain the base members together thereby assisting in distributing forces and loads applied to one sub- module/base member over the entire base slab. Coupling means to further couple the base members together may be added to better retain the base members together and still further improve distribution of forces.