Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Robert D Sigman

Urban A Schneider

Douglas L Mann

Micki M Baumert

John P Mortara

Alfred C Owens

System and method for engraving an image on a workpiece, such as a nuclear steam generator tubesheet. The system includes a laser assembly for generating a pulsed laser beam to engrave the image adjacent a target position on the workpiece. A positioning mechanism is connected to the laser assembly for positioning the laser assembly with reference to the target position. A controller is electrically connected to the positioning mechanism for controlling the positioning mechanism in order to controllably position the laser assembly at the target position and for verifying the image engraved at the target position. A computer is electrically connected to the controller for receiving the verified image. The computer is also electrically connected to the laser assembly for operating the laser assembly so that the laser beam emitted thereby engraves the image on the tubesheet at the target position.

Laser engraving system and method for engraving an image on a workpiece

A method and apparatus for preheating filler material to a temperature approaching its melting point prior to deposit within a weld zone. The weld zone and deposited filler material are then heated sufficiently to form an integral weldment. The power imparted to preheat the filler material is automatically, programmably, controlled as a predetermined function of the filler material deposition rate to obtain smooth melting of the filler material within the weld zone at any given filler material feed speed. In an application to welding an extended seam along a workpiece wherein the weld zone is moved along the seam, the power employed to heat the weld zone and the filler material feed speed are additionally controlled as a function of the speed of movement of the weld zone along the seam. In an application to welding generally cylindrical members along a designated circumferential weld seam, the method and apparatus of this invention simultaneously produce substantially identical welds at a plurality of spaced weld zones along the weld seam symmetrically situated about an axis bisecting the axis of revolution of the member by automatically controlling and establishing a substantially identical ratio of heat input to volume of deposited metal along the weld seam at each of the weld zones at any given point in time. Identical welds are achieved by automatically, programmably, controlling the power employed to preheat the filler material at each welding location as a function of the corresponding filler material feed speed and the respective feed speed and power imparted to each weld zone as a programmed function of the speed of the weld zone along the seam and the respective feed speed and welding power corresponding to each of the other weld zones along the seam.

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Orlando, FL, United States of America

Robert D Sigman