Metal transfer instability in gas metal arc welding

Abstract

This work presents a simplified model of metal transfer in gas metal arc welding. The model incorporates key features of metal transfer including the change in droplet diameters as welding moves from the globular into the spray metal transfer region, and the increase in welding voltage that is observed to occur as the pendant droplet grows. The model predicts that an instability arises in the globular metal transfer region, which leads to deterministic chaos and complex limit cycles with many droplet sizes. The instability also causes deterministic chaos with a characteristic gap in droplet diameters at the transition to spray mode metal transfer. The model explains observed features of metal transfer in some detail, including the existence and location of preferred bands of droplet sizes. Whether the instability is present or not defines the boundary between chaotic globular metal transfer and the stable drop spray transfer mode. The identification of deterministic chaos in gas metal arc welding metal transfer opens the way for new approaches to welding control.     

Analysis of arc voltage,current, and light signals in pulsed gas metal arc welding of aluminium

Abstract

The use of readily acquired weld arc data such as voltage, current, or light emissions to identify droplet transfer events or transfer mode, or for quality purposes such as seam tracking is of interest for thin section applications in arc welding of aluminium. In the present study, voltage, current, and light emission signals are acquired at high rates, and synchronised with high speed shadowgraphing. The usefulness of the various signals for identifying droplet detachment events and transfer modes during pulsed gas metal arc welding of aluminium is compared. It is found that individual droplet detachments are consistently identifiable during globular, spray, and streaming transfer, and during peak and background current detachment, using the voltage signal. Although the arc light signal also contains droplet detachment data, it is difficult to identify droplet detachments occurring during the background phase at low background current levels. Preliminary measurements show that these signals can also be used for seam location in thin section lap fillet welding.     

Metal transfer characteristics of GMAW with strip electrode

Abstract

The metal transfer process of gas metal arc welding with strip electrode is observed by a high speed digital camera system. Because the rectangular strip electrode has a large width/thickness ratio, the pendant droplet is elliptical in shape, and multicurrent channels are generated. The Lorentz force induced between the multicurrent channels drives the droplet and welding arc to move along the strip electrode end, but the droplet always lags behind the welding arc. The movement results in uncertain droplet’s detaching location and transition trajectory. The projected transfer mode is promoted, and the streaming and rotating transfer modes are restrained. With the increase in welding power, the droplet motion is faster but more stable. The stability can be reflected from the fluctuation of the welding current and arc voltage waveforms.     

Pendant droplet oscillation during GMAW

Abstract

This paper deals with pendant droplet oscillation in pulsed current gas metal arc welding (GMAW). Using a constant current power source, bead on plate welds were made on mild steel plates. The frequency of the pendant droplet oscillation was monitored visually (using a high speed video camera) and electronically (by analysis of the voltage signals). The results obtained are compared with the results predicted by a model based on a mass spring system. It was found that the oscillation frequency of small droplets revealed by both monitoring techniques matches that predicted by the model. For larger droplets, the oscillation frequency measured by voltage signal analysis tends to be higher than that revealed by video analysis and that predicted by the model. This implies that during droplet oscillation in (GMAW) the arc behaviour may change and as a result the arc voltage is not any more proportionally related to the arc length.     

面向工程应用的BA-GMAW熔滴过渡形态

综述了涉及工程应用的潜弧熔化极气体保护焊(Buried arc gas metal arc welding,BA-GMAW)熔滴过渡形态特征。结果表明,在大电流和相应的焊接参数下,BA-GMAW工艺的熔滴过渡形态有3种,即呈滴状过渡、摆动过渡和旋转过渡。BA-GMAW电弧空腔中电弧形态属于连续、敞开、非活动型;电弧空腔内氛围发生了质的变化,电弧爬升到熔滴上方,满足了喷射过渡形成3要素。焊接工艺参数对BA-GMAW熔滴过渡形态的影响,主要是焊接电流和电弧电压的影响;前者主要改变熔滴上作用力方向和大小,后者涉及潜弧的稳定性。潜弧焊熔滴过渡形态与工艺质量的利好关系,是受稳弧技术控制的熔滴过渡特性改善所决定的。创新点：通过典型工程应用试验案例中的焊接工艺参数,分析、判断相应的电弧和熔滴过渡形态,完成从实践到理论的转换,为后续论点论述打下坚实基础。     

Random nature of droplet size and its origins in short circuit CO2 arc welding

Abstract

The nature of the droplet size variation and its effect on the process behaviour were investigated for short circuit CO₂ arc welding using a power supply with constant voltage output. To obtain the droplet images and record the welding current and voltage transient waveforms in phase, an integrated experimental system was established by combining a high speed charge coupled device camera based on laser shadowing and a related optical system with a dual channel analog/digital converter. The droplet size in short circuit transfer mode is defined as the maximum diameter of the molten droplet just before short circuiting. The experimental results reveal that the distribution of droplet size typically has a random nature with a range of between 1 and 2 times the electrode diameter. Excessively large or small droplet size is markedly unfavourable to the process stability. The droplet shape just before short circuiting and the short circuiting experience are also critical factors affecting the process behaviour. The main factors influencing the droplet size and shape are analysed in detail and approaches to control their evolution are then proposed.     

Metal transfer and arc behaviour of novel consumable and non-consumable electrode indirect arc droplet welding

Abstract

The consumable and non-consumable electrode indirect arc droplet welding is a novel method that applies an indirect arc generated between a consumable electrode and a non-consumable electrode to welding. It was successfully used to overlap join the thin zinc coated steel plate. In the point to point (consumable electrode and non-consumable electrode) configuration, the stable metal transfer was obtained. The globular, projected spray and streaming spray transfer modes were promoted. With the increase in welding power, the metal transfer became faster and more stable. At the same time, the indirect arc became brighter, smaller and more stable. The arc self-regulation guaranteed the stable burning of the indirect arc. The desire stability was observed from the fluctuation of the welding current and the arc voltage waveforms. The side concentrated melting on the root of the droplet produced high pinch effect, which facilitated the detachment of the droplet.     

Measurement and theoretical investigation of arc sensor sensitivity in dynamic state during gas metal arc welding

Abstract

This paper shows the experimental and the theoretically predicted results of the sensitivity characteristics of the arc sensor in a dynamic state during gas metal arc welding. First, a mathematical model of the sensor for theoretical prediction was introduced, and then the rationality of the model was confirmed by a series of corresponding experiments. Finally, simulation analyses were made in order to clarify how the welding system and welding conditions affect the sensitivity characteristics of the arc sensor. It is shown that the frequency of torch height variation (the sensor's input) significantly affects the sensitivities of the welding current and the welding voltage (the sensor's outputs). The current sensitivity is highest when the frequency of torch height variation is ～5 Hz, but the voltage sensitivity simply increases with the increase of torch height variation frequency. It is also clarified that a decrease in the welding loop's inductance and/or the equivalent output resistance of the welding power source improves the sensor's current sensitivity but decreases voltage sensitivity. Decreasing the electrical resistance, but with an increase in electric field intensity of the arc column, or using a shorter setting electrode extension are useful ways of increasing the current and voltage sensitivities of the sensor.     

双丝间接电弧氩气保护焊的熔滴过渡与电弧形态

用高速摄像系统及示波器对双丝间接电弧氩弧焊的熔滴过渡及电弧形态和电弧电压之间的关系进行了深入分析.结果表明,熔滴过渡和电弧电压、电弧形态的规律性变化存在密切的对应关系.熔滴形成、长大、脱离焊丝端部的规律性变化使极性斑点间距及弧柱电阻发生变化导致了电弧电压的波动,从而使电弧形态发生由暗到明、由小到大的规律性变化.随着焊接电流的增大熔滴的过渡形式发生变化,熔滴尺寸减小.不同的熔滴过渡形式其电弧电压的波动也有所不同,射流过渡电压波动较小,而短路过渡电弧电压的波动最大.     

双丝间接电弧氩弧焊的熔滴过渡

采用氙灯背光高速摄像系统及示波器对双丝间接电弧氩气保护焊的熔滴过渡及其对应的电压、电流波形进行了研究.结果表明,双丝间接电弧氩弧焊焊接电流与电弧电压的不同匹配选择,熔滴具有短路过渡、大滴过渡、混合过渡、射滴过渡、射流过渡等不同过渡形式.随着焊接电流的增大熔滴尺寸减小,熔滴细化,随电弧电压的增大,熔滴尺寸减小.熔滴过渡形式与电压、电流的波形之间有很好的对应关系.     

基于高速CCD摄像的短路过渡焊接熔滴检测与分析

建立了基于高速CCD摄像的熔滴图像检测和焊接电流、电弧电压同步采集系统,在给出短路过渡模式下的熔滴尺寸定义并简述基于MATLAB平台的熔滴尺寸与电弧信号分析系统的基础上,对平特性电源短路过渡CO2焊接熔滴尺寸变化特征及其与工艺性能间的关系进行了试验研究.结果表明,熔滴尺寸呈分散性较大的正态分布(1～2倍焊丝直径),过大或过小的熔滴尺寸均不利于短路过渡焊接过程的稳定性.根据熔滴的形成和过渡过程,初步分析了影响熔滴尺寸的主要因素及控制熔滴尺寸的途径,即短路过程结束后焊丝端部的残余液态金属量和燃弧能量的随机性导致了熔滴尺寸的不确定性,对其进行有效控制将提高熔滴尺寸和短路过渡过程的一致性,进而改善短路过渡CO2焊接的工艺性能和焊接质量.     

高铬镍奥氏体焊丝Ar/He/CO2保护脉冲GMAW电弧形态与熔滴过渡

为解决高强度Cr-Ni奥氏体焊丝脉冲GMAW电弧挺度不足,熔滴过渡不稳定的问题,文中采用高速摄像手段对Ar/He/CO₂不同组合气体保护下的脉冲GMAW电弧形态与熔滴过渡进行了对比研究,以期优化混合气体成分.结果表明,氩气弧熔滴过渡容易,但电弧漂移、挺度差;氦气和CO₂气体的加入可提高电弧挺度、增大电弧能量、熔滴过渡变为1脉多滴,先一个大滴,接着几个小滴;氦气的比例越大,第一个熔滴的尺寸越大;CO₂气体可克服阴极斑点漂移,但比例不能超过5%;40% Ar+58% He+2% CO₂三元组合的电弧挺度大,熔滴过渡均匀平稳,是奥氏体焊丝脉冲GMAW厚板焊接较理想的混合气体组分.     

Arc characteristics of laser-TIG double-side welding

Abstract

Based on the experiments of laser-TIG double-side welding (LTDSW) for aluminium alloys, the influence of laser radiation on the arc behaviours of the opposite side was investigated. Generally, with the variation of laser power, there are three typical arc shapes: arc column convergence, arc root constriction and arc expansion. An important point to notice is that the laser keyhole preheating will induce the arc column convergence in the LTDSW. The arc voltage in the LTDSW is lower than that in TIG welding over the entire range of the experimental currents. Moreover, with increasing welding current, the difference in arc voltage between TIG welding and LTDSW is diminished because of the self-stabilisation of the arc burning at high currents. The complex transformation of arc behaviours has a great effect on the arc current density and its stability. The laser generated hot spot or laser induced plasma will have a higher temperature and greater electron density than neighbouring regions, and will offer the line of least resistance or the lowest potential drop. Hence, it is very reasonable that the arc voltage should descend under the influence of laser radiation, and the arc electrons should compress and root to the hot spot or plasma zone.     

铝合金脉冲MIG焊参数对熔池视觉传感效果的影响

利用建立的铝合金脉冲MIG焊熔池CCD视觉传感系统,通过焊接工艺试验研究了脉冲电流模式、熔滴过渡形式、焊丝伸出长度、焊枪位置和焊接电压等焊接参数对熔池视觉传感效果的影响规律.结果表明,熔滴过渡形式对视觉传感效果影响最大,在合适的脉冲电流模式下,通过调整焊接工艺参数使熔滴过渡为小颗粒自由过渡,配合短弧焊接既可得到良好的焊缝质量和成形,又可保证视觉传感效果.     

A novel molten wire tungsten inert gas welding process

ABSTRACT

A novel molten wire tungsten inert gas welding process was presented. In this process, a welding arc is used to melt the workpiece, and a melting arc is used to melt the feeding wire. Metal transfer is separated from the melting of the wire and the workpiece, and the arcs are stable no matter the droplet transfer mode is spraying or globular. The spatter rate in the process is close to zero. Mechanical properties of low carbon steel joint bonded with this process are superior to those bonded with the metal inert gas welding process.     

Energy parameters in a mathematical model of a dynamic welding arc

Summary

This paper describes a method for experimental determination of the dynamic characteristics of an arc sensor in GMA (MIG/MAG) welding in droplet transfer mode. The method basically involves a vibration device being used to excite sinusoidal waveforms of the torch height as well as data processing by means of an FIR digital low-pass filter and dispersive Fourier transformation (DFT). The experimental results show that the sensitivities of the arc sensor are much greater than in DC open arc welding. The response of the welding current to torch height variation is maximised at around 3 Hz. Although the response continues up to a higher level when the frequency exceeds around 5–6 Hz, the SN ratio is poorer than that at 3 Hz. The response of the welding current shows a phase lag relative to the torch height variation. The response of the welding voltage, however, shows a phase advance relative to the torch height variation, and the response increases with an increasing variation frequency of the torch height, but its SM ratio is much poorer than that of the welding current.

To clarify the effects of shielding gases on the arc sensor, experiments using four types of shielding gas - pure Ar, Ar + 10% CO₂, Ar + 20% CO₂, and CO₂ — were conducted. The results show that, contrary to those obtained in open arc welding, the responses in short-circuiting arc welding using pure Ar are higher than those using Ar and CO₂ mixed gases.

Simulations using an arc sensor model proposed by the authors are also run for short-circuiting arc welding and the results analysed. The analytical results based on this model show the theoretical and experimental results to be similar qualitatively but to disagree quantitatively. The theoretical results further show that not only the average short-circuit frequency, but also the rate of change of the short-circuit frequency induced by variation of the arc length strongly affect the sensitivities of the arc sensor.     

环保焊枪吸烟对小电流CO2气体保护电弧焊的影响

采用环保焊枪进行了小电流二氧化碳气体保护电弧焊平焊位置焊接,通过分析焊接过程中电弧形貌、电流电压和熔滴过渡方式变化以及焊缝成形、焊缝金属拉伸力学性能和X射线探伤结果,评估了吸烟功率变化时的吸烟效果以及吸烟行为对于焊接过程和焊缝质量的影响规律. 结果表明,使用环保焊枪可以显著降低小电流二氧化碳气体保护电弧焊时飘散在周围空间中的焊接烟尘. 吸烟过程虽然使得短路过渡熔滴频率略有增加,悬挂熔滴和电弧的稳定性略为变差,但对焊缝成形和焊接缺陷都无影响,焊缝金属屈服强度略有减小,抗拉强度略有增加.     

Effects of shielding gas composition on arc characteristics and droplet transfer in tandem narrow gap GMA welding

The effects of shielding gas composition in tandem narrow gap gas metal arc welding were studied. The shielding gas included argon, carbon dioxide and helium. The arc characteristics and droplet transfer process were analysed. The results show that in the same welding parameters, the trail wire welding current is higher than the lead wire welding current. With the increase of carbon dioxide content, the welding currents of two wires decrease, and the trail wire droplet transfer mode transforms from spray transfer to projected transfer. With the increase of helium content, the welding currents increase and the lead wire droplet transfer mode transforms from projected transfer to spray transfer. The weld width is the largest when the shielding gas mixture is 80%Ar10%CO₂10%He.     

U-I模式脉冲MAG焊脉冲参数对熔滴过渡影响规律

研制了一种以80C196KC16位单片机为核心,采用U-I模式控制的逆变熔化极脉冲气体保护焊机.通过采集焊接过程中的电弧电压和电流信号,在峰值期间保持电压恒定,在基值期间保持电流恒定,脉冲参数依据一个脉冲过渡一个熔滴的原则选取.在焊接过程中脉冲频率保持不变,通过峰值电流的变化来实现弧长调节.结果表明,该系统工作稳定,焊机具有良好的焊接工艺性能.     

交流脉冲MIG弧焊电源及弧长控制

AC PMIG的控制模式是一周一脉一滴，脉冲电流设计在电弧EP极性时间里，其余时间均为基值电流。弧焊电源一次逆变控制电流快速动态过程，二次逆变控制电弧极性。控制系统采用双闭环结构，内环模拟控制电弧电流，外环80C196KC单片机控制电弧电压及电弧极性。根据电弧电压偏差信号及电弧状态，设计了四个控制规则及其控制参数的计算方法。正常焊接状态时变频控制交流脉冲频率。采用这种控制方案，获得了稳定性高、熔滴过渡均匀的焊接过程。