China Three Gorges Corporation deploys automated welding system for deep shafts
A new intelligent welding system designed for deep vertical shafts has been deployed at the Songyang pumped storage power station.
China Three Gorges Corporation has launched a specialized automated welding system designed for installing steel pressure pipes in deep shafts. The technology is currently in use at the Songyang pumped storage power station in Zhejiang province, addressing the technical challenges of welding in extreme, confined subterranean environments.
The system integrates external and internal seam welding robots with 5G connectivity and laser-based seam tracking. This allows the equipment to identify weld positions automatically and adjust parameters in real-time, streamlining a workflow that encompasses lifting, welding, ultrasonic inspection, and anti-corrosion coating.
Operating within a 637-meter deep shaft where the working width is limited to approximately 45 centimeters, the robotic system improves welding efficiency by more than 65% compared to manual methods. With a reported weld pass rate of 99%, the implementation enhances the structural reliability of power station penstocks and marks a shift toward localized intelligent construction for deep underground engineering.