Arc-start retry
Helps improve arc initiation when contamination is present at the starting point; suitable for multilayer, multipass work.
Welding application guide
Review materials, process functions, torch access and camera-scannable joints for relatively open steel structures.
01 / BASIC PROCESS
Materials & welding setup
| Workpiece material | Carbon steel and low-alloy steel; stainless steel requires application validation. |
|---|---|
| Welding method | Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) |
| Reference plate thickness | 5–30 mm |
| Welding positions | PA flat, PB horizontal-vertical fillet, PG vertical-down |
| Shielding gas options | 80% Ar + 20% CO₂; 100% CO₂; 95% Ar + 5% O₂ |
| Solid wire diameter | Ø1.0 / Ø1.2 / Ø1.6 mm |
| Flux-cored wire diameter | Ø1.2 mm |
WORKPIECE REQUIREMENTS
Open access. Flat web plates.
Typical parts include H-section columns, roof and crane beams, corbels, purlin supports, bridge diaphragms, ship sub-assemblies and transformer oil tanks. Joint access must be reviewed for each part.
Supported seam geometries include straight and planar polygonal fillets, vertical fillets, continuous wrap-around welds, lap welds, planar circular-arc seams and multilayer/multipass seams. The reference requires flat web plates.
Material limitations
Galvanized parts are excluded because of reflection; aluminum alloy is excluded because arc tracking is not supported. Reflective stainless steel is outside the supported reference scope. Non-mirror stainless steel requires validation of scanning, arc tracking and welding for its actual surface condition before selection.
02 / PROCESS SOFTWARE
Functions for different seams
Availability depends on the selected software package and validated welding procedure.
Weld weaving
Sinusoidal, triangular, L-shaped, oblique sinusoidal, pendulum and circular-arc patterns.
Intermittent welding
For components requiring reduced welding distortion. Currently limited to straight seams.
Restart after arc interruption
The operator can manually return to the stopping point and resume the interrupted job.
Backstep arc restart
Restarts with a backward overlap to fill the crater left by an interrupted arc.
Fillet welding
Laser positioning identifies corners and automatically adjusts torch orientation.
Continuous welding
Connects multiple seams into a continuous welding sequence to reduce stop/start joints.
Fan-shaped weld areas
Plans torch orientation at fan-shaped areas with collision checks for seam alignment.
Arc tracking
Corrects lateral and longitudinal deviations during welding and supports multiple weaving patterns.
Multilayer, multipass welding
Automatically generates paths and supports arc tracking on the bottom layer.
Wire touch sensing
Uses the wire for position finding to compensate for positioning deviations before welding.
03 / WELDING SPACE
Check scan and torch clearance
Automatic collision checks assess the space for camera positioning and torch approach.
150 mmFlat-welding rib clearance reference
450 mmVertical-welding rib clearance reference
Empirical reference only, based on a 135° water-cooled torch with a 100 mm extended gooseneck. For the vertical-welding reference, the torch is at 0° to the web plate. Surrounding rib and flange heights affect the required clearance; confirm it for the actual torch, fixture and component.
04 / CAMERA SCANNING
12 joint types to review
Minimum dimensions below apply to the illustrated reference geometries. Expand each joint for its scan mode and limits.
01 Three-plane intersecting fillet
Positioning mode
Static scan of the triple intersection
Reference limits
Each plane width ≥30 mm
02 Two-plane intersecting fillet
Positioning mode
Static scan of the intersection edge endpoint
Reference limits
Each plane width ≥30 mm
03 Lap weld
Positioning mode
Static endpoint scan
Reference limits
Flat plate thickness ≥8 mm; base plate width ≥30 mm
04 Concentric circular fillet
Positioning mode
Robot-guided full-circumference scan
Reference limits
Radius ≥100 mm; wall height ≥18 mm; base plate width ≥15 mm. Multilayer/multipass supported; intermittent welding not supported.
05 Solid circular fillet
Positioning mode
Robot-guided full-circumference scan
Reference limits
Radius ≥100 mm; cylinder wall height ≥18 mm; base plate width ≥15 mm. Multilayer/multipass supported; intermittent welding not supported.
06 Concentric circular lap
Positioning mode
Robot-guided full-circumference scan
Reference limits
Radius ≥100 mm; cylindrical wall height ≥12 mm and thickness ≥15 mm; base plate width ≥12 mm
07 Solid circular lap
Positioning mode
Robot-guided full-circumference scan
Reference limits
Radius ≥100 mm; solid cylinder height ≥12 mm; base plate width ≥15 mm
08 Straight-and-arc fillet
Positioning mode
Robot-guided closed-path scan
Reference limits
Radius ≥100 mm; cylindrical wall height ≥18 mm; base plate width ≥15 mm. Multilayer/multipass supported; intermittent welding not supported.
09 Free-form fillet
Positioning mode
Robot-guided full free-form path scan
Reference limits
Arc radius ≥50 mm; curved plate height ≥18 mm; base plate width ≥15 mm. Multilayer/multipass supported; intermittent welding not supported.
10 Free-form lap
Positioning mode
Robot-guided full free-form path scan
Reference limits
Arc radius ≥50 mm; curved plate height ≥12 mm; base plate width ≥15 mm; free-form vertical plate thickness ≥15 mm
11 Two-plane inclined fillet
Positioning mode
Static endpoint scan
Reference limits
Included angle 45°–135°; each plane width ≥30 mm
12 Three-plane inclined fillet
Positioning mode
Static endpoint scan
Reference limits
Included angle 45°–135°; each plane width ≥30 mm