Application of ATINY Laser Seam Tracking Sensors in Fully Automated Welding of Subsea Dredging Pipelines

With the development of the global economy, more and more marine engineering projects are being undertaken. As a crucial component of marine engineering, subsea dredging pipelines are responsible for tasks such as sediment removal and subsea pipeline laying. Due to the complex underwater environment, high welding quality is required during pipeline production. Traditional automatic welding equipment is inefficient and produces inconsistent welding quality, failing to meet the requirements. Today, let’s take a look at the application of the ATINY laser seam tracking sensor in fully automated welding of subsea dredging pipelines.


Principle of Laser Seam Tracking Sensors

The laser seam tracking sensor is a device based on laser vision sensing technology. It utilizes high-precision laser scanning technology and intelligent algorithms to capture the three-dimensional morphology of the weld seam in real time. Using advanced image processing algorithms, it calculates the actual position, shape, and deviation of the weld seam. After receiving this data, the welding robot automatically adjusts the position and angle of the welding torch, making real-time adjustments to deviations during the welding process to ensure precision and stability.

Challenges in Automated Welding of Subsea Dredging Pipelines

The natural conditions of high pressure, low temperature, and water currents in the subsea environment make traditional welding methods difficult to implement. Additionally, the material properties of the pipeline itself (such as corrosion resistance) and design requirements (such as sealing) increase the welding difficulty. Moreover, to ensure the safety and longevity of the pipeline, stringent requirements are imposed on the quality of the joints. Due to errors in previous processes and workpiece clamping, blind welding by robots can result in misalignment and inconsistent weld quality.


ATINY's Solution

To address the challenges of automated welding for subsea dredging pipelines, ATINY has introduced a fully automated welding solution based on laser seam tracking sensors. This system primarily consists of laser seam tracking sensors, an intelligent control system, and a welding robot.

High-Precision Positioning: The laser seam tracker uses high-precision laser sensors for seam positioning, achieving sub-millimeter level positioning accuracy.
Automatic Seam Tracking: The laser seam tracking sensor monitors the position of the weld seam in real time and automatically adjusts the position of the welding torch to ensure the welding path is accurate and correct.
High Adaptability: It is suitable for different types of weld seams and materials and is also applicable to complex structures or special materials.
Welding Quality Monitoring: It monitors various parameters during the welding process in real time, quickly detecting and correcting any deviations that occur, ensuring welding quality.
Application Case

In a certain marine engineering project, ATINY's laser seam tracking system was successfully applied to fully automated welding of subsea dredging pipelines. During the welding process, the seam tracking sensor continuously monitored changes in the position of the weld seam and promptly adjusted the movement trajectory of the welding torch to maintain consistency in the welding path. This system not only improved welding efficiency but also ensured welding quality, providing reliable support for the long-term stable operation of subsea dredging pipelines.


ATINY’s laser seam tracking sensor technology, characterized by its high precision, intelligence, and reliability, offers a new solution for the automated welding of subsea pipelines. In the future, ATINY will continue to focus on innovation in laser seam tracking technology to support intelligent welding across more industries.