Sollac

Thierry Juret

Jean Philippe

Both a method and apparatus for regulating the position of a camera in a thermographic control and monitoring arrangement is provided for a system for welding together at least two metal plates along a joint plane. The apparatus includes a welding head that generates a high energy-density welding beam, a camera for thermographically monitoring the welding carried out by the welding beam, a movable frame member for supporting the welding head and camera, a fixed light source disposed in a zone that is accessible by the welding beam generated by the welding head, and an adjustment assembly for regulating the position of the camera with respect to the welding head. In the method, the welding beam is moved into a reference position with respect to a point source of light. Next, the frame member is displaced by a specific distance d corresponding to the distance desired between an impact point I of the welding beam and the field of view of the camera on the plate is being welded. Next, the field of view of the camera is adjusted so that the camera registers signals from the light source. Finally, the camera is locked into position with respect to the frame member. By accurately adjusting the position of the camera with respect to the weld created by the welding head, the resulting thermal plot generated by the camera can be accurately interpreted.

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Courcelles Chaussy, France

Thierry Juret