Preprogramming complex welds fast

Describes how the modular bridge building company, Mabey &Johnson, is using Off‐line programming for work on its newly‐extended flexible manufacturing system [FMS] welding line, to strike every arc in exactly the right place with minimum sensing. Looks at the background and parameters for choosing a modelling system and describes how the RobCad system programs all the weld seams and how that program is then calibrated to enable precision robot positioning. Concludes with future plans to move progressively towards 3‐D computer‐aided design, from which the 3‐D models will be transferred directly into RobCad.