The increasing use of automated laser welding processes causes high demands on process monitoring. This work demonstrates methods that use a camera mounted on the focussing optics to perform pre-, in-, and post-process monitoring of welding processes. The implementation uses machine learning methods. All algorithms consider the integration into industrial processes. These challenges include a small database, limited industrial manufacturing inference hardware, and user acceptance.

Deep learning is widely applied to sparse 3D data to perform challenging tasks, e.g., 3D object detection and semantic segmentation. However, the high performance of deep learning comes with high costs, including computational costs and the effort to capture and label data. This work investigates and improves the efficiency of deep learning for sparse 3D data to overcome the obstacles to the further development of this technology.

This book describes the application of vision-sensing technologies in welding processes, one of the key technologies in intelligent welding manufacturing. Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is one of the main welding techniques and has a wide range of applications in the manufacturing industry. As such, the book also explores the application of AI technologies, such as vision sensing and machine learning, in GTAW process sensing and feature extraction and monitoring, and presents the state-of-the-art in computer vision, image processing and machine learning to detect welding defects using non-destructive methods in order to improve welding productivity. Featuring the latest research from ORNL (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) using digital image correlation technology, this book will appeal to researchers, scientists and engineers in the field of advanced manufacturing.

The book presents new advances in the field of manufacturing technologies. It focuses on the design and engineering of manufacturing processes; additive manufacturing and reverse engineering; assembly, disassembly and circular processes; system simulation, optimization and digital manufacturing; and materials processing technology. Keywords: Human Robot, Short Term Production Planning, Thermoplastic Composite Components, Compostable Materials, Diffusion Bonding, Superplastic Forming, Hardening Technologies, Physical Simulation Tests, Numerical Model, Dissimilar Material Welding, Additive Manufacturing, Laser Powder Bed Fusion, Fused Deposition Modeling, Laser Sintering, Fused Filament Fabrication, Manufacturing System Laser Welding, Wind Blades, Bandsaw Machine, PVC Tubes, Submerged Arc Welding, Multi-Layered Coatings, Cryogenics, Metal Piercing, Picosecond Laser Processing, Carbon Nanotube; Fiber Reinforced Composites, Tools With Complex Geometry. Carbon/Epoxy Composite, Rheological Additives, PP/flax Fibers, Human Well-being, Extruded Rods & Pipes, Laser Welding, E-mobility, WAAM Process, Glass Fiber.

This book covers the application technology of lasers, focusing more on the vast range of processes than on individual applications, in order to motivate and enable future innovations. The physical basics are presented in the first half of the book. The following examination of application categories and their processes is documented by experts from their practical points of view but always refers back to the underlying physical principles. In this way, readers are free to choose their own individual level of depth in understanding this globally relevant field of innovation. This new edition of Tailored Light 2: Laser Applications birings the book up to date with the latest applications of laster technology.