Image processing methods for V-shape weld seam based on laser structured light

Abstract

Fast and reliable image processing method is one of the key technologies for realizing welding seam tracking. To this end, a new image processing method for V-shape weld seam based on laser structured light is proposed. This method starts with image preprocessing, including median filtering, one-dimensional LOG (Laplace of Gaussian) operations, morphological operations, and scattered clusters filtering. For improving the efficiency of image processing, it can find a target window dynamically. Then, the local search method is used twice for improving the accuracy of extracting the laser centerline. At last, this laser centerline is fitted by the modified least square method, and the feature points of V-shape weld seam can be obtained by calculating the intersections of the fitted lines. The results of image processing show that this method can quickly and reliably process seam images with strong interference, and meet the requirements of welding seam tracking. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.