The plasma welding system, being integrated with the automatic carriage system, takes full advantage of plasma technology to increase the automatic welding length by 20% and enables welding in all positions including vertical-down and horizontal ledge-down positions, which were previously impossible with the GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) process. Furthermore, two types of sensors-visual and tactileallow the welder to accurately follow the structural folds and automatically trace the lines of welding.

The system boasts other key features such as a user-friendly interface with touch screen, remote pendant, automatic voltage control for constant arc length control, pulsed plasma weld power source for reduced welding distortions from low heat input energy welding, and plasma arc for stable and high-speed welding.

Application of the plasma welding system in place of the GTAW method reduces worktime by half, while improving weld quality and limiting deformation of the welded parts.

This latest development will significantly boost HHI¡¯s capabilities in construction of both membrane- and moss-type LNG carriers and enhance its competitiveness in the growing LNG carrier market.

Features

. Quality, stable and high-speed welding with plasma arc
. Lower heat input than GTAW with pulsed plasma weld power source
. All-position welding: flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead
. Easy operation with remote pendant
. User-friendly interface with touch screen
. Real-time corrugated profile tracking with tactile sensors and robust algorithm
. Constant arc length control by automatic voltage control (AVC)
. Reliable and practical carriage with high rigidity, simple structure and light-weight portability
. Hands-free for seam tracking with automated visual sensor