Claims:CLAIMS:
We claim:
1. An interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking, said system (10) comprising:
a. a robot welder (12) configured to weld joints, wherein the robot welder comprises a welding torch and a robot cell;
b. a human machine interface (HMI) unit configured for a user to generate control signals;
c. a Programmable Logic Controller PLC configured to receive the control signals from the HMI unit and to generate check signals to check the flow of gas in the robot welder or in the robot cell; and
d. an automatic gas flow checking unit (16) configured for checking the flow of gas in the robot welder (12).
2. The interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when at least one blow hole defect is observed on weld joint by the user, the user sends command to the HMI unit to generate the control signals.
3. The interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PLC is connected to the HMI unit and to the robot welder (12).
4. The interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking as claimed in claim 1, wherein if the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) determines that the flow of gas is less than a predetermined value, the robot welder (12) is stopped from entering to a next welding cycle.
5. The interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking as claimed in claim 1, wherein if the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) determines that the gas flow is equal to a predetermined value, the robot welder (12) is allowed to enter the next welding cycle.
6. The interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking as claimed in claim 1, wherein the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) further comprises a top wall (16t), a bottom wall and four sidewalls.
7. The interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking as claimed in claim 6, wherein the top wall (16t) has an entrance (18) to allow a nozzle end (14) of the robot welder (12) to enter inside the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) for gas checking.
8. The interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking as claimed in claim 7, wherein the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) comprises a digital gas flow meter (20) to check the gas flow in the robot welder (12).
9. The interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking as claimed in claim 6, wherein an operating panel (22) is provided on an outside surface (16f) of one of the four side walls to enable the user to record readings of the gas flow and to operate the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) from outside.
10. An interlocking method for automatic gas flow checking, said method (1) comprising:
a. inspecting joints weld by a robot welder, wherein the robot welder comprises a welding torch;
b. if at least one blow hole defect observed in the weld, sending a signal for checking a flow of gas in the robot welder using a HMI unit;
c. receiving said signal at a PLC;
d. generating another signal by the PLC checking the gas of the robot welder;
e. sending the robot welding torch to an automatic gas flow checking unit;
f. placing a nozzle end of the robot welding torch inside the automatic gas flow checking unit; and
g. checking the flow rate of gas in the robot welding torch using the automatic gas flow checking unit,
wherein the automatic gas flow checking unit comprises a digital gas flow meter to check the gas flow in the robot welder.

Dated this 19th day of August, 2021
, Description:FORM2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003,
COMPLETE SPEC1FICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of Invention

AN INTERLOCKING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC GAS FLOW CHECKING AND A METHOD THEREOF

Applicants
APPLICANT: NAME: Metalman Auto Pvt Ltd
NATIONALITY: India ADDRESS: MIDC, Waluj 431136, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an interlocking system for automatic gas flow checking and method thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the gas shielded arc welding, the welded surface of a joint portion of a steel frame member is shielded with carbon dioxide. During the welding process, nitrogen in the air mixes with the welding metal causing welding defects such as blow hole and reducing welding strength. Accordingly, in robotic welding process, shielding gas (Argon & Co2 gas mixture) is required to shield the molten weld pool. The shield gas requirement changes based on the current and welding torch approach.
Conventionally, the welding device, i.e., the robot welder, for gas shielded arc welding includes a portable welding robot mounted with a welding torch that has a nozzle to guide jetting of shielding gas and a contact tip that performs energization on a consumable electrode. It has a feeding device that supplies the consumable electrode to the welding torch, a welding power source that supplies electric power to the consumable electrode via the contact tip, a gas supply source that supplies the shielding gas to be jetted from a nozzle end and a control device that controls the portable welding robot. The shielding gas is supplied from the nozzle and it is observed that if the flow of gas is not sufficient, then the blow hole defect may be generated in weld quality.
Prior art US6399915B1 discloses that one of the parameters for poor weld quality could be the flow of gas. Particularly, the prior art states that important parameters such as to be directly related to a welding quality in a laser welding include, for example, a laser output power at a work spot of welding, a position of focal point of the laser (so-called, focal length and which is determined by a beam diameter), a positioning accuracy of the working material pieces (the working materials to be welded together and, hereinafter called, an overlapped seam gap length), a gas flow quantity, and a welding speed. Thus, it is observed that the gas flow quantity is one of the important parameters to measure to overcome the problem of blow hole defects in welding.
In order to overcome the problem, numerous techniques for monitoring the quality of laser-welded portions during welding were proposed. Conventionally, a maintenance person checks the flow of gas at nozzle end of a robot welder with the help of analogue flow meter. One such monitoring method is disclosed in JP 2000-271768. It states that the emission intensity of visible light radiated from the welded portion during a laser welding process and the intensity of reflected light from the welded portion are detected. Then, the quality of the welded portion is determined based on the intensity of a lower frequency component that is equal to or less than an arbitrary frequency, and the intensity of a high frequency component that exceeds said arbitrary frequency, as frequency components of these detected signals.
Further, prior art US20180361515A1 discloses a method for detecting hole in laser-welded portion and laser welding device. It discloses that a laser welding device includes a laser irradiation unit, a visible light sensor and a control unit. The laser irradiation unit irradiates a laser beam. The visible light sensor detects an emission intensity of visible light that is emitted from a welded portion. The control unit can freely switch the operation of the laser irradiation unit between a welding mode for welding a plurality of metal members to each other by irradiating laser beam and an inspection mode for irradiating the laser beam again onto the welded portion as an inspection light. After the welding the metal members, the control unit switches the laser irradiation unit to the inspection mode to irradiate the laser beam again onto the welded portion as an inspection light. The control unit detects if a hole is generated after welding based on changes in the emission intensity of the visible light.
Thus, checking the flow of gas is a man-oriented activity, which increases the chances of getting inaccurate result. Accordingly, one of the drawbacks of the prior art is that the human involvement is required. Further, there are drawbacks in the prior art that the checking of the flow rate of gas is performed using an analogue metre which increases more chances of inaccurate results.
Thus, none of the above prior art provides a solution to the problem as provided by the present invention. Accordingly, there is a need to overcome the drawbacks of these prior art. The drawbacks of prior art are overcome by the present invention, as detailed in the forthcoming sections of the present application, i.e., there is a need for an interlocking system for automatic gas flow checking of a robot welder and method thereof.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide an interlocking system for automatic gas flow checking.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an interlocking method for automatic gas flow checking.
Another object of the present invention is to interlock the gas checking with the robot welder.
Another object of the present invention is to improve the accuracy of checking the flow of gas to the robot welder or robot cell.
Another object of the present invention is to improve the weld quality.
Yet another object of the present invention is to eliminate the need of additional resources for checking the flow of gas.
Yet another object of the present invention is to enable interlocking in the proposed system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to solve the drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention provides an interlocking system for automatic gas flow checking and a method thereof.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an interlocking system for automatic gas flow checking comprises a robot welder configured to weld joints. In some embodiments, the interlocking system for automatic gas flow checking further comprises a human machine interface (HMI) unit configured for a user to generate control signals. In some embodiments, the interlocking system for automatic gas flow checking further comprises a Programmable Logic Controller PLC configured to receive the control signals from the HMI unit and to generate check signals to check the flow of gas in the robot welder or in the robot cell. In some embodiments, the interlocking system for automatic gas flow checking further comprises an automatic gas flow checking unit configured for checking the flow of gas in the robot welder or in a robot cell.
In some embodiments, the robot welder comprises a welding torch.
In some embodiments, when the user observes at least one blow hole defect on weld joint, the user sends command to the HMI unit to generate the control signals.
In some embodiments, the PLC is connected to the HMI unit and to the robot welder to enable communication thereof.
In some embodiments, if the automatic gas flow checking unit determines that the flow of gas is less than or greater than a predetermined value, the robot welder is stopped from entering to a next welding cycle.
In some embodiments, if the automatic gas flow checking unit determines that the gas flow is equal to the predetermined value, the robot welder is allowed to enter the next welding cycle.
In some embodiments, the automatic gas flow checking unit further comprises a top wall, a bottom wall and four side walls.
In some embodiments, the top wall has an entrance to allow a nozzle end of the robot welder to enter inside the automatic gas flow checking unit for gas checking.
In some embodiments, the automatic gas flow checking unit comprises a digital gas flow meter to check the gas flow in the robot welder.
In some embodiments, an operating panel is provided on an outside surface of one of the four side walls to enable the user to record readings of the gas flow and to operate the automatic gas flow checking unit from outside.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an interlocking method for automatic gas flow checking comprises inspecting joints weld by a robot welder. The interlocking method for automatic gas flow checking further comprises, if at least one blow hole defect observed in the weld, sending a signal for checking a flow of gas in the robot welder using a HMI unit. The interlocking method for automatic gas flow checking further comprises receiving said signal at a PLC. The interlocking method for automatic gas flow checking further comprises generating another signal by the PLC checking the gas of the robot welder. The interlocking method for automatic gas flow checking further comprises sending the robot to an automatic gas flow checking unit. The interlocking method for automatic gas flow checking further comprises placing a nozzle end of the robot torch inside the automatic gas flow checking unit. The interlocking method for automatic gas flow checking further comprises checking the flow rate of gas of the robot torch in the automatic gas flow checking unit.
In some embodiments, the automatic gas flow checking unit comprises a digital gas flow meter to check the gas flow in the robot welder.
Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a diagram of an interlocking system for automatic gas flow checking according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a flow diagram of an automatic gas flow checking unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may not have been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein would be contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting.
The term “some” as used herein is to be understood as “none or one or more than one or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features. It does not in any way limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.
More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do not specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “must comprise” or “needs to include.”
Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there needs to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more element is required.”
Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skills in the art.
Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfill the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.
Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.
Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
Figure 1 is a diagram of an interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking according to an embodiment of the present invention. Robotic welding automates the welding process to increase accuracy, enhance safety and reduce the time needed to complete each project. Robot welding is commonly used for resistance spot welding and arc welding in high production applications, such as the automotive industry. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking comprises a robot welder (12). The robot welder (12) is configured to weld joints.
In some embodiments, the robot welder (12) comprises a robot cell and/or a robot welding torch (or a robot torch). In some embodiment, the robot cell is checked to determine the flow of the gas.
In some embodiments, the robot welder (12) at the end of its arm comprises a torch or other manipulator. In some embodiments, these robots are configured to move their primary arm in three directions and rotate a wrist at the end of the arm. In some embodiments, these robots further comprise rotating joints — these allow for more freedom of movement and range of motion outside of three dimensions.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking further comprises a human machine interface (HMI) unit. A Human-Machine Interface (HMI) is a user interface or dashboard that connects a person to a machine, system, or device. While the term can technically be applied to any screen that allows a user to interact with a device, HMI is most commonly used in the context of an industrial process. Almost all industrial organizations, as well as a wide range of other companies, to interact with their machines and optimize their industrial processes, use HMI technology. In some embodiments, the HMI unit is configured to generate control signals. In some embodiments, a user operates the HMI unit. HMIs communicate with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs).
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user is required to observe blow hole defects, if any, in the welds joined by the robot welder (12). They are also called as endogenous gas holes or blowholes. These holes are caused due to non-uniform gas content in the metal bath and rejection of dissolved gases during solidification. Accordingly, when the user observes a blow hole defect in weld joint, the user sends command to the HMI unit to generate the control signals.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking further comprises a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). The Programmable Logic Controllers are controllers used for industrial automation. These controllers can automate a specific process, machine function, or even an entire production line. In some embodiments, the PLC is configured to receive the control signals from the HMI unit. In some embodiments, the PLC is configured to generate check signals to check the flow of gas in the robot welder (12) or in a robot cell. The programmable logic controller (PLC), also known as programmable controller, is an industrial computer that has been ruggedized and adapted for the control of manufacturing processes, such as assembly lines, machines, robotic devices, or any activity that requires high reliability, ease of programming, and process fault diagnosis. Accordingly, the PLC is connected to the HMI unit and to the robot welder (12) enabling the communication thereof.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking further comprises an automatic gas flow checking unit (16). The automatic gas flow checking unit (16) is configured for checking the flow of gas in the robot welder (12).
Figure 2 is a flow diagram of an automatic gas flow checking unit (16) according to an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) further comprises a top wall (16t), a bottom wall and four sidewalls. In some embodiments, the top wall (16t) has an entrance (18) to allow a nozzle end (14) of the robot welder (12) to enter inside the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) for gas checking.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) comprises a digital gas flow meter (20) to check the gas flow in the robot welder (12). The digital gas flow meter (20) may be any digital gas flow meters that are available for flow range 0~10L/min, 0~25L/min and/or 0~200L/min. The gas mass flow meter is used for instant flow rate testing and flow accumulation calculation and suitable for different gas like compressed air, oxygen, nitrogen, CO2, Ar and other inactive gases, etc.
In some embodiments, if the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) determines that the flow of gas is less than or greater than a predetermined value, the system is configured such that the robot welder (12) is stopped from entering to a next welding cycle. Alternatively, if the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) determines that the gas flow is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the system is configured such that the robot welder (12) is allowed to enter the next welding cycle. In some embodiments, the predetermined value of the flow of gas may be a standard gas flow, within the range of 10-20 litres per minute and preferably within 10-15 litres per minute. However, the user, depending on the kind of welding, may set the flow rate of gas as a predetermined value. Accordingly, the interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking would be configured.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) further comprises an operating panel (22). In some embodiments, the operating panel (22) is provided an outside surface (16f) of one of the four side walls to enable the user to record readings of the gas flow. In some embodiments, the operating panel (22) is configured to operate the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) from outside.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an interlocking method for automatic gas flow checking is disclosed. The method (1) comprises inspecting joints weld by a robot welder, wherein the robot welder comprises a welding torch. The method further comprises sending a signal for checking a flow of gas in the robot welder or in a robot cell using a HMI unit, if at least one blow hole defect observed in the weld. The method further comprises receiving the signal at a PLC. The method further comprises generating another signal by the PLC checking the gas of the robot welder and sending the robot welding torch to an automatic gas flow checking unit. The method further comprises placing a nozzle end of the robot welding torch inside the automatic gas flow checking unit and checking the flow of gas of the robot welding torch in the automatic gas flow checking unit.
To check the flow rate of gas, the automatic gas flow checking unit comprises a digital gas flow meter. In some embodiments, if the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) determines that the flow of gas is less than or greater than a predetermined value, the system is configured such that the robot welder (12) is stopped from entering to a next welding cycle. In some embodiments, the predetermined value of the flow of gas may be a standard gas flow, within the range of 10-20 litres per minute and preferably within 10-15 litres per minute. However, the user, depending on the kind of welding, may set the flow rate of gas as a predetermined value. Alternatively, if the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) determines that the gas flow is equal to a predetermined value, the system is configured such that the robot welder (12) is allowed to enter the next welding cycle. Accordingly, the interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking is configured to meet the user’s requirements.
In view of the above features, the present invention has an advantage over existing devices, systems and methods of checking the flow rate of gas. In particular, the present invention provides an advantage that the gas checking process is interlocked with robot cell and the digital gas flow meter is used which is more accurate. Thus, the present invention eliminates the need of any special person for checking the flow rate of gas. More particularly, the present invention provides an advantage over prior art that uses analogue flow meters for gas checking which gives a less accurate result compared to a digital flow meter. Moreover, the prior art requires at least two persons for checking the flow of gas.
Moreover, the actions of any components in the diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of any or all the claims.
While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments.

CLAIMS:
We claim:
1. An interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking, said system (10) comprising:
a. a robot welder (12) configured to weld joints, wherein the robot welder comprises a welding torch and a robot cell;
b. a human machine interface (HMI) unit configured for a user to generate control signals;
c. a Programmable Logic Controller PLC configured to receive the control signals from the HMI unit and to generate check signals to check the flow of gas in the robot welder or in the robot cell; and
d. an automatic gas flow checking unit (16) configured for checking the flow of gas in the robot welder (12).
2. The interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when at least one blow hole defect is observed on weld joint by the user, the user sends command to the HMI unit to generate the control signals.
3. The interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PLC is connected to the HMI unit and to the robot welder (12).
4. The interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking as claimed in claim 1, wherein if the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) determines that the flow of gas is less than a predetermined value, the robot welder (12) is stopped from entering to a next welding cycle.
5. The interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking as claimed in claim 1, wherein if the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) determines that the gas flow is equal to a predetermined value, the robot welder (12) is allowed to enter the next welding cycle.
6. The interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking as claimed in claim 1, wherein the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) further comprises a top wall (16t), a bottom wall and four sidewalls.
7. The interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking as claimed in claim 6, wherein the top wall (16t) has an entrance (18) to allow a nozzle end (14) of the robot welder (12) to enter inside the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) for gas checking.
8. The interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking as claimed in claim 7, wherein the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) comprises a digital gas flow meter (20) to check the gas flow in the robot welder (12).
9. The interlocking system (10) for automatic gas flow checking as claimed in claim 6, wherein an operating panel (22) is provided on an outside surface (16f) of one of the four side walls to enable the user to record readings of the gas flow and to operate the automatic gas flow checking unit (16) from outside.
10. An interlocking method for automatic gas flow checking, said method (1) comprising:
a. inspecting joints weld by a robot welder, wherein the robot welder comprises a welding torch;
b. if at least one blow hole defect observed in the weld, sending a signal for checking a flow of gas in the robot welder using a HMI unit;
c. receiving said signal at a PLC;
d. generating another signal by the PLC checking the gas of the robot welder;
e. sending the robot welding torch to an automatic gas flow checking unit;
f. placing a nozzle end of the robot welding torch inside the automatic gas flow checking unit; and
g. checking the flow rate of gas in the robot welding torch using the automatic gas flow checking unit,
wherein the automatic gas flow checking unit comprises a digital gas flow meter to check the gas flow in the robot welder.