Kvaerner Masa-Yards (KMY) has signed a cooperation and licensing
agreement for its newly developed and implemented automatic vision
guided robot welding system with Pemamek Oy Ltd, a recognized Finnish
welding automation supplier operating in international markets with main
cooperation partner Esab.
The new successful applications of machine vision guided robotics have
opened a new era in the shipbuilding process. In the fabrication or
welding of hull parts and subassemblies the current pre-programming
times have been reduced to zero and no CAD models are needed. New
technology allows even unmanned production (in night shift). World
record level arc and utility time ratios have been achieved. This has
resulted in improved and stable quality and productivity. The new
applications are universal and applicable for most types of ship
structures, not only for those of cruise ships.
Kvaerner Masa-Yards' research and develpopment work and applications in
the production have been carried out during 2001 and 2002 in cooperation
with the main supplier Pemamek Oy Ltd working together with Master
Automation Group Oy and Lappeenranta University of Technology. The
application and training part was financially supported by TEKES,
National Technology Agency of Finland.
The
license agreement covers a state of art robot welding system
controlled by an advanced machine vision guided programming system
instead of off-line or pre-programmed systems. The system is based on
highly sophisticated computer software applications which get their
input from machine vision. Several patents are pending for new
applications of the ships inner hull and accommodation structures for
the cutting, welding and finishing of the structural elements and
components.
The introduction of vision guided robotics helps the shipyard to achieve
high productivity and high return on investment. It also eliminates
strict CAD/CAM integration requests in the areas of hull parts
fabrication and sub-assembly.