Analysis of Aluminum Alloy Double-Pulse MIG Welding Arc Signal Characteristics Based on Broadband Mode Decomposition

Welding voltage and current in arc signals are directly related to arc stability and welding quality.Process experiments with different parameters were organized according to the orthogonal experimental design method by constructing an aluminum alloy double-pulse metal inert gas(MIG)welding arc electric signal test platform.The data acquisition system of the aluminum alloy MIG welding process was established to obtain real-time arc signal information reflecting the welding process.The aluminum alloy’s collected double-pulse arc current signals are decomposed adaptively by broadband mode decomposition(BMD).The direct current(DC)signal,pulse signal,distortion signal,ripple signal,and noise signal are separated and extracted,and the composite multiscale fuzzy entropy(CMFE)is calculated for the component set of the electrical signal.The experimental results show that the current waveform obtained by the double-pulse MIG welding current signal is consistent with the corresponding weld forming diagram.Simultaneously,the composite multiscale fuzzy entropy is calculated for the arc characteristic parameters.The rationality of matching process parameters and arc stability of aluminum alloy’s double-pulse MIG welding were evaluated.

Effect of welding current on morphology and microstructure of Al alloy T-joint in double-pulsed MIG welding

The effect of current on the morphology of Al alloy T-joint in double-pulsed metal inert gas（DP-MIG） welding process was investigated by simulation and experiment.A three-dimensional finite element model and the DP-MIG heat source of double-ellipsoidal volumetric model were developed to simulate the temperature and stress fields under different welding conditions.The macro-morphology and microstructure of welding joints at the corresponding currents were observed in the experiment.The results show that the best condition is at an average current of 90 A and current difference of 40 A,when the maximum temperature is 200 °C higher than the fusion points,with the temperature difference of about 100 °C and stress change of 10 MPa between thermal pulse and thermal base.Under these conditions,Al alloy T-joint with proper fusion condition has smooth fish-scale welding appearance and finer microstructure.Furthermore,the thermal curves and stress distribution in the experiment are consistent with those in the simulation,verifying the precision of the welding simulation.

Droplet transition for plasma-MIG welding on aluminium alloys

The synchronous acquisition system of droplet image inspection and arc electric signals were established and the droplet transition characteristics of aluminum alloys were researched in the plasma-MIG welding process.Typical droplet transition modes include globular transfer mode,short circuiting transfer mode,metastable spray transfer mode and projected transfer mode.The result indicates that MIG droplet transfer frequency and droplet transfer modes are changed by introducing the plasma arc in the plasma-MIG welding process compared with the MIG welding on the aluminum alloys,which broadens the range of welding parameters when the stable welding process proceeds.The metastable spray transfer and projected transfer mode are proved to be the most optimal modes by comparing the stability of electronic signal,droplet transition,weld appearance and weld penetration.

An initial study on welding procedure using tandem MIG welding of high strength aluminum alloy

The high-speed camera system and data acquisition system of welding parameters were created in tandem MIG welding of high strength aluminum alloy. The experiments were carried out in order to obtain the photos of droplet transfer under different welding parameters in pulsed mode. The droplet transfer mode of “one pulse one droplet” becomes the preferred selection during welding process because of its stable procedure and sound weld form. The parameter ranges for corresponding transfer mode were experimentally achieved, among which the stable droplet transfer mode of “one pulse one droplet” can be realized. These efforts brave the way for control weld heat input and weld formation in the future.

Research on sinusoid modulated pulse MIG welding methodology

This article proposed a new methodology and the principle of sinusoid modulated pulse MIG welding, and systematically established the universal mathematical model of computation of the parameters of the sinusoid modulation pulse, achieving that the welding energy input can be effectively controlled and precisely regulated, the transition of pulse change is smooth and the welding process is stable and reliable. With the characteristics of sinusoidal waveform, such as infinite derivative continuity, eternal periodicity and limited control parameters, this article established the theoretical foundation for choiceness, unification and optimization of the parameters during the new sinusoid modulated pulse MIG welding. Bead-on-plate overlay welding is carried out on the pure aluminum sheet test sample for the test. The result indicated that during the welding process, the real-time current waveform is stable and clear; both the corresponding voltage and the instant welding energy waveform are very stable; the repeatability of the U-I graph plotted is high; its family of lines is clear, neat, and its distribution is concentrated showing that the welding process is stable and the neat and high quality ripple weld seam may be produced.

Intelligent process expert database of double pulse MIG welding of AI-Si alloy

Based on double pulse welding process characteristics, expert database structure and work flow are designed. Further, multiple outstanding specifications of 1.0 ram-diameter wire are obtained through a large number of experiments. By making non-linear regression analysis on these groups of standards, the relationship between average welding current and other pulse parameters can be found out. Polynomial regression equation is set up for further realization of＂ parameter estimation function of the expert database. Finally, the preliminary developed expert database is tested. The result indicates that the unified adjusting and parameters estimation of the expert database leads to stable welding process and good weld appearance.

Weld pool image sensor for pulsed MIG welding

Visual image sensor is developed to detect the weld pool images in pulsed MIG welding. An exposure controller, which is composed of the modules of the voltage transforming, the exposure parameters presetting, the complex programmable logic device （CPLD） based logic controlling, exposure signal processing, the arc state detecting, the mechanical iris driving and so on, is designed at first. Then, a visual image sensor consists of an ordinary CCD camera, optical system and exposure controller is established. The exposure synchronic control logic is described with very-high-speed integrated circuit hardware description language （VHDL） and programmed with CPLD , to detect weld pool images at the stage of base current in pulsed MIG welding. Finally, both bead on plate welding and V groove filled welding are carried out, clear and consistent weld pool images are acquired.

Analysis of droplet transfer of pulsed MIG welding based on electrical signal and high-speed photography

In order to study how welding parameters affect welding quality and droplet transfer, a synchronous acquisition and analysis system is established to acquire and analyze electrical signal and instantaneous images of droplet transfer simultaneously, which is based on a self-developed soft-switching inverter. On the one hand, welding current and voltage signals are acquired and analyzed by a self-developed dynamic wavelet analyzer. On the other hand, images are filtered and optimized after they are captured by high-speed camera. The results show that instantaneous waveforms and statistical data of electrical signal contribute to make an overall assessment of welding quality, and that optimized high-speed images allow a visual and clear observation of droplet transfer process. The analysis of both waveforms and images leads to a further research on droplet transfer mechanism and provides a basis for precise control of droplet transfer.

SENSORING DROPLET SPRAY TRANSFER IN MIG WELDING BASED ON ARC SPECTRUM SIGNAL

The method to detect droplet transfer by means of arc spectrum, while the experiment sets, testing principle and data processing procedure,are presented. The experiment and analysis results show that arc spectrum signal can be utilized to detect and measure the transfer procedure, the transfer modes and the transfer parameters. The arc spectrum signal enjoys excellent quality with high signal amplitude. Each transfer mode has its specific typical signal mode, and the pulse outline corresponds to an integrated transferring procedure of one droplet. All these features of arc spectrum signal can be easily applied hi the control of transfer procedure,the identification and stabilization of transfer mode and the measurement of transfer parameters.

Noise wavelet-suppressing on electric signals in meso-spray process of pulse MIG welding of aluminum

An analysis with Fourier series on electric signals of meso-spray process of pulse MIG welding of aluminum shows many harmonic waves of different frequency in the signals, including the inherent high, low frequency elementary waves of short circuit and the harmonic waves from pulse current besides the noise signals of high frequency. The wavelet filtering with adjustable threshold is applied to study and handle the electric signals from meso-spray process of pulse MIG welding of aluminum, displaying a good solution on suppressing the noise in the signals.

Digital control system for pulsed MIG welding power based on STM32

Digital control system for pulsed MIG welding power based on STM32 is set up with 32-bit STM32FlO3ZET6 directing against the pulse waveform modulation of pulsed MIG welding. High-frequency inverter and medium-low frequency pulse waveform modulation of pulsed MIG welding are realized by using the integrated PWM module within STM32 to generate PWM signals of phase-shifted full-bridge soft-switching and constant-current control of output current is achieved by means of anti-windup PI control algorithm to improve the stability and reliability of control system. Experimental results demonstrate that the designed digital control system based on STM32 can achieve pegrect pulsed MIG welding technique with stable welding process and good weld appearance, fully demonstrating the advantages of digital control based on STM32.

Correction factor based double model fuzzy logic control strategy of arc voltage in pulsed MIG welding

According to the feature of arc voltage control in welding steel using pulsed MIG welding, a correction factor based double model fuzzy logic controller (FLC) was developed to realize the arc voltage control by means of arc voltage feedback. When the error of peak arc voltage was great, a coarse adjusting fuzzy logic control rules with correction factor was designed, in the controller, the peak arc voltage was controlled by the wire feeding speed by means of arc voltage feedback. When the error of peak arc voltage was small, a fine adjusting fuzzy logic control rules with correction factor was designed, in this controller, the peak arc voltage was controlled by the background time by means of arc voltage feedback. The FLC was realized in a Look-Up Table (LUT) method. Experiments had been carried out aiming at implementing the control strategy to control the arc length change in welding process. Experimental results show that the controller proposed enables the consistency of arc length and the stability of arc voltage and welding process to be achieved in pulsed MIG welding process.

Effect of V content on microstructures and properties of TiC cermet fusion welding interface

The effects of vanadium(V)on the microstructures and mechanical properties of the TiC cermet fusion welding interface were studied by adjusting the content of V in the self-developed flux-cored wires using metal inert gas arc(MIG)welding for surfacing on the TiC cermet.The results show that the increase in V content promotes the element diffusion between TiC cermet and weld metal.There are no de-fects observed in the interface,and the diffusion of elements refers to excellent metallurgical bonding.The shear strength of the fusion zone initially decreases and then increases with the increase in V content.The maximum shear strength of the TiC cermet/weld interface,reaching 552 MPa,occurred when the V content reached 0.65%.Meanwhile,the average hardness in the transition zone reached 488.2 HV0.2.

铝合金脉冲MIG焊过程双变量解耦控制

针对铝合金脉冲熔化极惰性气体保护焊(Metal inert-gas welding,MIG)过程中,焊接参数匹配范围窄、参数间耦合作用强、焊接过程不稳定、焊缝成形差等关键问题,提出双变量解耦的控制方案。利用视觉传感同时反馈熔宽和干伸长信号,一方面调整双脉冲占空因数进行可变双脉冲熔宽控制;另一方面,在熔宽控制的同时,改变送丝速度同步控制干伸长,在控制焊缝成形的同时保证焊接过程的稳定。设计模糊PID控制器,采用基于xPC的实时目标环境,建立铝合金脉冲MIG焊快速原型控制平台,在此基础上,利用图像视觉传感和相应的图像处理算法,采用补偿解耦的方法进行双变量解耦控制试验,获得了良好的解耦控制效果,得到熔宽均匀的焊缝。结果表明,采用双变量解耦的控制方案能够实现铝合金脉冲MIG焊过程的控制,在保证焊接过程稳定的基础上,实现了良好的焊缝成形。

Effect of welding sequence on residual stress and deformation of 6061-T6 aluminium alloy automobile component

Four different welding sequences of double-pulse MIG welding were conducted for 6061-T6 aluminum alloy automobile bumpers by using nonlinear elastoplasticity finite element method based on ABAQUS software.The post-welding residual stress and deformation were definitely different among the four welding sequences.The results showed that the highest temperature in Solution A was approximately 200℃higher than the melting point of base metal.High residual stress was resulted from this large temperature gradient and mainly concentrated on the welding vicinity between beam and crash box.The welding deformation primarily occurred in both of the contraction of two-ends of the beam and the self-contraction of crash box.Compared with other welding sequences,the residual stress in Solution A was the smallest,whereas the welding deformation was the largest.However,the optimal sequence was Solution B because of the effective reduction of residual stress and good assembly requirements.

Grain refinement and improved properties through electromagnetic stirring in Al alloy MIG welds

This paper described the effects of external excitatory parameters of current and frequency on the microstructure and mechanical properties of weld metal in MIG welding with longitudinal electromagnetic field. With a high speed video camera capturing the images of arc shape, the mechanism of arc rotation and how the periodic contraction and expansion of arc affected the movement of molten pool were investigated. The technique resulted in fine equiaxed grains in weld metal and optimum parameters of electromagnetic stirring were suggested based on the extent of refinement. Fine-grained weld metal exhibited better yield strength and significant improvement in elongation.

Study on fuzzy control IGBT inverter arc welding power source for robot

Arc welding robot is playing more and more important roles in modern welding manufacturing, but now available welding power sources seldom satisfy with robot system requirements. In this paper, study on fuzzy control IGBT inverter arc welding power source for robot is developed to bring robotic advantages into full play. Firstly, fast response 500A IGBT inverter arc welding rectifier is developed. Secondly, fuzzy control system, which features multi-functions, fast response and wide using range, is developed and reliable measures for preventing interference are designed. Finally, technological experiments for carbon steel are made. The welding experimental results show that the goal of design is attained.

Effect of post-weld heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of welded joints of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy

6061 aluminum alloy T-joints were welded by double-pulsed MIG welding process. Then, the post-weld heat treatment was performed on the welded T-joints. The weld microstructure under different aging temperature and time was investigated by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical properties were examined by hardness test and tensile test. The results showed that the micro-hardness was sensitive to heat treatment temperature and time. Increasing temperature was beneficial to the shortening of peak aging time. There were a large number of dislocations and few precipitates in the welded joints. With the increase of post-weld heat treatment temperature and time, the density of dislocation decreased. Meanwhile, the strengthening phase precipitated and grew up gradually. When the post-weld heat treatment temperature increased up to 200℃, large Q' phases were observed. And they were responsible for the peak value of the micro-hardness in the welded joints.

Effect of Heat Input on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Joints Made by Bypass-Current MIG Welding–Brazing of Magnesium Alloy to Galvanized Steel

Experiments were carried out with bypass-current MIG welding–brazing of magnesium alloy to galvanized steel to investigate the effect of heat input on the microstructure and mechanical properties of lap joints. Experimental results indicated that the joint efficiency tended to increase at first and then to reduce with the increase of heat input. The joint efficiency reached its maximum of about 70% when the heat input was 155 J/mm. The metallurgical bonding between magnesium alloy and steel was a thin continuous reaction layer, and the intermetallic compound layer consisted of Mg–Zn and slight Fe–Al phases. It is concluded that bypass-current MIG welding–brazing is a stable welding process, which can be used to achieve defect-free joining of magnesium alloy to steel with good weld appearances.

Effect of alternating ultrasonic frequency electric signal on the distribution of pore in aluminum alloy weld

The application of ultrasonic vibration in the welding process can effectively suppress the pore defects of the weld.The different ultrasonic application methods own different effects on the weld pore.In this paper,the ultrasonic frequency vibration in the weld pool is excited by the coupling of the ultrasonic frequency electrical signal and the welding electrical signal.The influence of ultrasonic excitation voltage and excitation frequency on porosity,number,location,and size of pore in weld was investigated.The results show that the variation of ultrasonic excitation voltage and frequency has a direct influence on the pore distribution.The pore defects can be decreased by the coupling of ultrasonic frequency electrical signal with reasonable parameters or increased by the coupling of ultrasonic frequency electrical signal with unreasonable parameters.The ultrasonic excitation frequency is fixed at 30 kHz and the ultrasonic excitation voltage is changed.The porosity of the weld is close to that of the weld without ultrasonic action when the ultrasonic excitation voltage is 25 V and 75 V.The porosity of the weld is significantly lower than that of the weld without ultrasonic action when the ultrasonic excitation voltage is 50 V and 100 V.The ultrasonic excitation voltage is fixed at 100 V and the ultrasonic excitation frequency is changed.The porosity of the weld is the largest and exceeds that of the weld without ultrasonic action when the ultrasonic excitation frequency is 20 kHz.The porosity of the weld is lower than that of the weld without ultrasonic action when the ultrasonic excitation frequency is 25,30,35,and 40 kHz.The pores were mainly concentrated on the upper part of the weld and the number of pores of small size increased significantly after the coupling of an ultrasonic frequency electrical signal,indicating that ultrasonic promoted the rise and escape of bubbles in the weld pool.