Precitec has launched the Scansonic ALO3, a brazing/welding head with a fully integrated coaxial quality monitoring system. It provides a complete solution for wire-guided joining processes. Seam geometry monitoring detects the profile and the position of the fillet welds on the lap joint and double-flanged seams on the butt joint.
Fixture mechanisms can be optimally matched to the welding results, irrespective of any additional quality monitoring components. The welding head causes no obstruction whatsoever in the processing area and can easily travel in and out between the fixture mechanisms. The camera required for quality monitoring is integrated directly into the head.
Profile measurement takes place a few millimetres behind the welding spot, necessitating only a minimal overrun at the seam end, with practically no cycle time loss. Frequent weld defects like lack of fusion, the wrong positioning of wire on the upper/lower metal surfaces and gaps between the metal sheets can now be reliably identified and monitored. The system also recognises open pores of 0.5mm and upwards. Monitoring takes place during welding, i.e. errors are practically recorded and analysed in realtime. Application examples here are the brazing of vehicle body parts and the welding of aluminium with an additional wire.
The ALO3 head with built-in quality monitoring can be easily integrated into all brazing and welding systems, and no modifications have to be made when retrofitting existing systems. Seam guidance is both precise and wear-free. Continuously variable force ensures that the wire is securely placed on the leading seam edge at all times.