According to Korean news agencies, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has developed the world’s first laser high-speed welding robot for the maritime sector, aiming to increase the productivity of constructing LNG carriers.
As reported, the robot specializes in welding membrane panels used in cargo holds of LNG carriers, which are made of thin stainless steel layers that come into direct contact with ultra-low-temperature liquid natural gas. The innovative robot welds a 2-meter-long membrane panel in under one minute as opposed to conventional plasma arc welding (PAW) techniques, which require around five minutes.
The technology uses a Wobble method, rotating the laser beam at precise intervals and speeds, and features defocusing capabilities and a laser displacement sensor to automatically locate curved welding positions.
The laser high-speed welding robot will become a core technology maintaining overwhelming competitiveness in the key process of building cargo holds in LNG carriers
… commented Choi Du-Jin, head of Samsung Heavy Industries’ Production Technology Research Center
Following the completion of the application testing, SHI intends to start full-scale manufacturing of this technology. The company also plans to expand its application to the cargo holds of ultra-low-temperature liquid hydrogen carriers in the future.
