Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
  • B23K9/00—Arc welding or cutting
  • B23K9/32—Accessories
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
  • B23K31/00—Processes relevant to this subclass, specially adapted for particular articles or purposes, but not covered by only one of the preceding main groups
  • B23K31/12—Processes relevant to this subclass, specially adapted for particular articles or purposes, but not covered by only one of the preceding main groups relating to investigating the properties, e.g. the weldability, of materials
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
  • G09B19/00—Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass
  • G09B19/24—Use of tools
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
  • G09B9/00—Simulators for teaching or training purposes

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a system and methods with an associated computer readable recording device and carrier for pre-assessment and training of candidates for the welder qualification process.
• the system of the present invention may also be applied in personnel selection processes for any other function that requires a higher degree of attention and manual skill.
• US4931018 of 6/5/1990 describes a training simulation device, including a helmet, a welding gun, and motion sensors, which simulates a part to be welded to a screen, producing a visual response. to the user's movements.
• ES2274736B1 of March 1, 2008 which describes a device comprising a welding gun, position and orientation sensors, which generates a virtual image on a virtual reality helmet.
• WO2010020867A2 of 25/02/2010, describes a similar device, highlighting the advantages of generating a more realistic virtual image and to the detriment of training of manual skills or "muscle memory”.
• the system of the present invention comprises a test piece and a test key connected to a unit which collects the test data and transmits it to a server which processes and records the data and provides the interface with the system user.
• the unit comprises a programmable logic controller (PLC) that performs the acquisition of data generated by the specimen in conjunction with the test key and communication with the computer by means of network communication protocols.
• PLC programmable logic controller
• the unit is arranged in a carrying case, capable of accommodating the specimen and other accessories as well, and which can be easily carried.
• the test specimen is similar to those applied in the qualification process and is capable of simulating welding performance conditions, leading the candidate to repeat a certain cycle of movements similar to the welder's movements.
• the server consists of a computer operating supervisory software. The server presents an interface for the user to register a new test with data before starting the evaluation process. The interface can display the status of the weld under test using color in real time once the process has started. The server records status and time data between welds for statistical analysis based on the curves and data generated by the equipment.
• the software is capable of exporting the stored data to graphics, to files in formats suitable for reading and processing by third party software (eg txt format) or to a printer.
• third party software eg txt format
• the user is able to monitor a candidate's reflex evolution curve and its ability to repeat the movements inherent in performing the test on the specimen.
• the system stores reference data and reviewer history, providing users with the means to consistently evaluate candidates during the selection and training process.
• Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the system of the invention
• Figure 2 shows top view, front view and side views of the device of the invention according to one embodiment
• Figure 3 shows the main user interface of the supervisory software, according to one embodiment.
• the system of the present invention is of simple construction, with a much lower production and installation cost than currently available simulation devices.
• the system of the invention is capable of creating reference curves for candidates with pre-established standards of experienced welders, as well as comparing candidate performances during the selection and training process.
• the system of the present invention comprises a specimen 102A and a test switch 102B, connected to a unit 101 that collects test data performed by means of the test specimen and the test switch, and transmits to server 103, where communications are processed and managed the main system processes, and provides a graphical interface.
• unit 101 for example, a PLC, responsible for data acquisition and communication with server 103, is disposed within a box.
• a device according to the invention is a case 200 capable of storing cylindrical specimen 102A, in addition to test switch 102B, cables and other accessories not shown in Figure 2.
• the specimen 102A may be accommodated, for example, in the case lid area 202. As shown in Figure 2, the specimen 102A has a substantially cylindrical shape with a smaller central region and where the sensors are located.
• the sensors are arranged in pairs in the specimen 102A sufficient to permit a manual aptitude test to be performed.
• the specimen may have at least 10 sensor pairs, particularly at least 30 sensor pairs.
• the arrangement of the sensors and the shape of the specimen 102A require from the subject a variety of movements and postures particularly useful for assessing his skills as a welding professional.
• the subject may be made to reproduce a zigzag movement between the sensor pairs and around the entire circumference of the central region of the specimen.
• the sensors are numbered to allow instructors to perform variations of the aptitude test described above.
• the system of the present invention is designed for pre-assessment and training of candidates for the welder qualification process, the system may be used for selection and training in other functions requiring comparable levels of manual skill and concentration.
• the sensors are sensitized by the test switch 102B and transmit an electrical signal to the device via cables connected, for example, to one side of the device 202, to which the test switch also connects.
• the other side of the device contains a mains input 203 and a connector 204 for communication with server 103, as shown in Figure 2.
• server 103 refers to a unit, for example, a computer, which can run supervisory software, store received data for later use and provide a graphical user interface.
• the server consists of a personal computer, a laptop, or a netbook, with minimum system requirements necessary to run the supervisory software installed on it.
• the installation of the system of the invention can be done quickly and inexpensively for selection and training centers.
• server 103 may comprise a network in which software execution, data storage and user interface functions are performed by physically separate processing units.
• a plurality of devices 200 according to the invention may be connected to a single server 103, so that an instructor can simultaneously and remotely evaluate multiple candidates.
• supervisory software has the functions of: registering candidates to associate a candidate with an aptitude test or assessment process; start and stop the process; record the process data; compare recorded data with pre-recorded or later acquired data; display in graphical interface the progress of the process in real time; perform a statistical analysis based on the curves and data generated by device 200; and build graphs with recorded data and / or export to data files compatible with other software (eg txt format) and printing.
• the system monitors the execution of the evaluation process and records, according to the movements performed by the test key 102B on the specimen 102A, the time between the actuation of the sensors and the state of setting or failure of actuation. In the context of the welder candidate selection and training process, this equates to the time between welds and weld status.
• Figure 3 shows a graphical user interface screen provided by supervisory software in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
• 301 indicates a graph, constructed in real time during the process execution;
• 302 indicates the status of the process;
• 303 indicates a button to start or stop the process;
• 304 indicates the total number of errors made by the applicant;
• 305 indicates process parameters such as minimum, average, maximum and total times of the evaluated candidate;
• 306 indicates the status of the weld in real time through a color scheme;
• 307 indicates the time between two welds;
• 308 indicates the failure status between welds through a color scheme.
• the user can compare the performance of the appraised against performance data of experienced welders or check the candidate's learning progress curve as tests are repeated.
• the supervisory software may incorporate features other than those described above to assist with pre-assessment and training of candidates for the process of qualification of welders or for other functions requiring manual skill and comparable concentration.
• the monitoring software can display a different graphical interface that shown in Figure 3.
• the software can incorporate different graphical interfaces for different movement cycles to be executed by assessed .

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Educational Administration (AREA)
• Educational Technology (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
• Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
• Electrically Operated Instructional Devices (AREA)

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Cited By (30)

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Citations (2)

• 2012
  • 2012-07-30 BR BRBR102012018990-9A patent/BR102012018990A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2013
  • 2013-07-30 WO PCT/BR2013/000279 patent/WO2014019045A1/fr not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (2)

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