Welding & process gear
Seam tracking sensor
Laser or arc-based sensor that lets the robot adjust its weld path in real time to follow the actual joint location instead of a fixed taught path.
Seam tracking sensors, most commonly laser triangulation units mounted ahead of the torch, scan the joint geometry as the robot moves and feed position corrections back to the controller so the weld path follows the actual seam rather than a fixed taught trajectory. This compensates for part fit-up variation, fixture tolerance, and thermal distortion during welding.
Arc-based through-arc seam tracking is a lower-cost alternative that uses variations in welding current as the torch weaves across the joint to estimate position, though it generally offers less precision than a dedicated laser sensor.
Adding seam tracking increases programming complexity, since the robot program needs defined search and correction behavior, but it significantly reduces the need for tight part fixturing tolerances.
Related integrations
Common questions
- What does Seam tracking sensor do?
- Laser or arc-based sensor that lets the robot adjust its weld path in real time to follow the actual joint location instead of a fixed taught path.
- What does Seam tracking sensor work with?
- It works with FANUC R-30iB, ABB IRC5, Lincoln Electric power source, Fronius power source.
- What should I watch for with Seam tracking sensor?
- Laser sensors add cost over through-arc tracking. Requires defined search and correction logic in the weld program. Sensor standoff and angle need periodic calibration checks.