Welding apparatus for automated welding of plastic components

A plastic welding apparatus configured for automated plastic welding, the apparatus comprising:

• a robotic arm;
• and
• a welding end effector operatively coupled to the robotic arm, comprising:
• a welding tip;
• a frame structure supporting a welding tip;
• and
• a plastic weld filler supply configured to supply plastic weld filler for plastic welding;
• wherein the welding tip is configured to deposit the plastic weld filler onto a plastic component for welding the plastic component.

A method for plastic welding of a plastic component comprising:

• executing, by a controller device having a processing device, computer readable code associated with a welding program for a plastic welding apparatus, wherein executing the computer readable code comprises determining a weld path comprising an origin point and an end point, wherein the plastic welding apparatus comprises a welding end effector operatively coupled to a robotic arm, the welding end effector comprising a welding tip, and a plastic weld filler supply, and wherein the controller device is operatively coupled to the robotic arm and the welding end effector;
• welding, by the welding end effector, a plastic component along the weld path based on instructions received from the controller device;
• and
• stopping the welding of the plastic component based on determining that the welding tip is located at the end point of the weld path.