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SRI International Partners with Kawada Technologies and Kawada Industries to Introduce Weld-Visualization Technology and Next-Generation, 3D-Welding HelmetMENLO PARK, Calif., Sept. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- SRI International (SRI), a nonprofit research center, announced their collaboration with Kawada Technologies, Inc. (KTI) and Kawada Industries to develop Xtreme Dynamic Range (XDR) weld visualization technology that uses image processing to visualize live weld details to the welder safely. XDR has been further applied to a next-generation, 3D-welding helmet that uses cameras to completely transform the world of welding. XDR Weld Visualization Technology Next-Generation, 3D-Welding Helmet SRI International, a research center headquartered in Menlo Park, California, creates world-changing solutions to make people safer, healthier and more productive. Kawada Industries' unique techniques for manufacturing thick steel plates have led to much success in the construction and bridge engineering industries. KTI Kawada Group began this project with the goal of passing on these core techniques of their tradecraft in an effective and sustainable manner. With the cooperation of SRI, KTI Kawada Group developed XDR, which enables one to shorten the time required to train new welding technicians while continuing to pass down welding knowledge in an effective manner. KTI Kawada Group is also working on analyzing data obtained by the helmet to perform various tests for improving the quality and reliability of welding. "Kawada came to SRI with a need to greatly shorten the time required to train new welding technicians while continuing to pass down welding knowledge in an effective manner to new welders," said Mike Piacentino, Senior Technical Director of Vision Systems for SRI International. "The real-time weld-visualization technology developed by SRI provides higher dynamic range to allow humans and robotic welders to see more than just the welding tip. The ability to view real-time welds maintains quality and informs the welder of low quality or possibly failing welds, which is a critical advantage over conventional welding where precision welds are critical to structural integrity and public safety of infrastructure such as construction and bridge engineering." The next-generation, 3D-welding helmet will be improved over the next year and will be utilized to teach technical welding skills at Kawada Industries. The KTI Kawada group is expected to gain insights that can be applied to support new technological and product developments. "Welding is the most important and difficult skill to transfer from skilled welders to novice welders," said Noriyuki Kanehira, Project Leader and Director, Kawada Technology Research Center. "Visualization is the key. In conventional welding, the operator can see only the tiny bright area of the arc and everything else is darkened by the thick shading filter attached to a welding helmet. This new technology developed by SRI clearly visualizes the entire area of the workspace with appropriate brightness and contrast. Welding visualization directly leads to stabilizing welding quality and providing trace-ability." About SRI International View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sri-international-partners-with-kawada-technologies-and-kawada-industries-to-introduce-weld-visualization-technology-and-next-generation-3d-welding-helmet-300915724.html SOURCE SRI International |