Robotic welding for complex geometries, such as the half-open corner joint, requires precise, automated trajectory planning, a challenge largely unaddressed in current literature. This paper presents a novel point cloud-based method for automated robot welding trajectory generation specifically for this joint type. The innovation is a complete and computationally efficient pipeline, leveraging 2D laser line sensor data and point cloud processing to automatically detect the joint and generate an optimized, geometry-consistent 6-DoF trajectory. Crucially, the method calculates the optimal welding torch orientation, consistently maintaining an inclination relative to the joint geometry to ensure weld quality. The generated trajectory is automatically converted into executable ABB RAPID code. In simulation, the approach demonstrates high precision against a CAD reference, achieving a mean trajectory error of only 0.450 m m and a maximum error of 1.033 m m , enhancing automation and efficiency in challenging robotic welding applications. The tool center speed comparison between generated trajectory with algorithm and programmed trajectory also shows a difference of less than 0.17 m m s . It has also been shown that the generated trajectory with algorithm consumes less energy than the programmed trajectory.
Karner et al. (Wed,) studied this question.