Effect of process parameters on the morphology of aluminum/copper alloy lap joints by red and blue hybrid laser welding

In order to overcome the problems of many pores,large deformation and unstable weld quality of traditional laser welded aluminumcopper alloy joints,a red-blue dual-beam laser source and a swinging laser were introduced for welding.T2 copper and 6063 aluminum thin plates were lap welded by coaxial dual-beam laser welding.The morphology of weld cross section was compared to explore the influence of process parameters on the formation of lap joints.The microstructure characteristics of the weld zone were observed and compared by optical microscope.The results show that the addition of laser beam swing can eliminate the internal pores of the weld.With the increase of the swing width,the weld depth decreases,and the weld width increases first and then decreases.The influence of welding speed on the weld cross section morphology is similar to that of swing width.With the increase of welding speed,the weld width increases first and then decreases,while the weld depth decreases all the time.This is because that the red laser is used as the main heat source to melt the base metals,with the increase of red laser power,the weld depth increases.As an auxiliary laser source,blue laser reduces the total energy consumption,consequently,the effective heat input increases and the spatter is restrained effectively.As a result,the increase of red laser power has an enhancement effect on the weld width and weld depth.When the swing width is 1.2 mm,the red laser power is 550 W,the blue laser power is 500 W,and the welding speed is 35 mm/s,the weld forming is the best.The lap joint of T2 copper and 6063 aluminum alloy thin plate can be connected stably with the hybrid of blue laser.The effect rules of laser beam swing on the weld formation were obtained,which improved the quality of the joints.

Effect of welding processes and consumables on fatigue crack growth behaviour of armour grade quenched and tempered steel joints

Quenched and Tempered(Q&T) steels are widely used in the construction of military vehicles due to its high strength to weight ratio and high hardness. These steels are prone to hydrogen induced cracking(HIC) in the heat affected zone(HAZ) after welding. The use of austenitic stainless steel(ASS) consumables to weld the above steel was the only available remedy because of higher solubility for hydrogen in austenitic phase. The use of stainless steel consumables for a non-stainless steel base metal is not economical. Hence, alternate consumables for welding Q&T steels and their vulnerability to HIC need to be explored. Recent studies proved that low hydrogen ferritic steel(LHF) consumables can be used to weld Q&T steels, which can give very low hydrogen levels in the weld deposits. The use of ASS and LHF consumables will lead to distinct microstructures in their respective welds. This microstructural heterogeneity will have a drastic influence in the fatigue crack growth resistance of armour grade Q&T steel welds. Hence, in this investigation an attempt has been made to study the influence of welding consumables and welding processes on fatigue crack growth behaviour of armour grade Q&T Steel joints. Shielded metal arc welding(SMAW) and Flux cored arc welding(FCAW) were used for fabrication of joints using ASS and LHF consumables. The joints fabricated by SMAW process using LHF consumable exhibited superior fatigue crack growth resistance than all other joints.

Statistical Analyses of the Effects of Welding Processes on Load, Extension and Hardness Properties of Welded Mild Steel Plates

Mild steel plates of thicknesses 0.5 mm,0.6 mm,0.7 mm,0.8 mm,0.9 mm and 1.0 mm were prepared as test samples.After welding with the developed welding robot and manual electric arc welding machine these test samples were subjected to Tensile Strength and Hardness tests.All data obtained including hardness,load and extension were analyzed and the data produced from electric arc welding operations,the robot welding operations and un-welded plates(control)were compared with one another.The statistical analyses of hardness,load and extension tests for developed welding robot,manual electric arc welding and un-welded(control)mild steel plates of different thicknesses were carried out.The results revealed that for hardness,the developed robot welding has the highest mean value of 115.30,standard deviation value of 14.32 and variance value of 205.06.The descriptive statistics of the load showed that the developed robot welding samples collectively have the lowest mean value of 2,536.85,standard deviation value of 704.21 and variance value of 495,911.72.The descriptive statistics of the extension in which the developed robot welding samples collectively have the lowest mean value of 1.29,standard deviation value of 0.43 and variance value of 0.18 were also determined.The result for hardness showed homogeneity of variance among hardness tests of the samples,which implies variation in the hardness test among the tests of the samples since p-value is 0.038.While the result for loads shows homogeneity of variance among loads of the samples in which the result reveals that there is no variation in the loads among the tests of the samples since p-value is 0.322.The result for extension shows homogeneity of variance among extensions of the samples in which it revealed that there is variation in the extensions among the tests of the samples since p-value is 0.011.The analysis of variance(ANOVA)test result revealed that there is a significant difference in the hardness of the samples in which developed robot welding operation gave the highest hardness compared with electric arc welding and un-welded(CONTROL)since p-value is 0.028.The ANOVA test result for load revealed that there is no significant difference in the loads of the samples since p-value is 0.51.The ANOVA test result of the extension shows that there is a significant difference in the extension of the samples in which developed robot welding operation gave the lowest extension compared with electric arc welding and un-welded(CONTROL)since p-value is 0.001.The results of hardness also showed the mean difference of 16.48 between developed robot welding and un-welded(CONTROL)samples and 7.26 between developed robot welding and electric arc welding samples.Finally,for extension the mean difference of-5.28 between developed robot welding and un-welded(CONTROL)samples and-1.22 between developed robot welding and electric arc welding samples were established.

Image processing of weld pool and keyhole in Nd:YAG laser welding of stainless steel based on visual sensing

In order to obtain good welding quality, it is necessary to apply quality control because there are many influencing factors in laser welding process. The key to realize welding quality control is to obtain the quality information. Abundant weld quality information is contained in weld pool and keyhole. Aiming at Nd：YAG laser welding of stainless steel, a coaxial visual sensing system was constructed. The images of weld pool and keyhole were obtained. Based on the gray character of weld pool and keyhole in images, an image processing algorithm was designed. The search start point and search criteria of weld pool and keyhole edge were determined respectively.

The Studies of the Welding Processes and Procedures on the West-East Pipeline Project

The West East pipeline project attracted the attention from all over the world for its long distance, huge diameter, complex geographic conditions, and diversified welding techniques being applied.In this paper the detail welding process and procedures used in the project are discussed and the distinguished achievements on welding techniques of China pipeline construction are described.

BASIC THEORY AND APPLICATIONS OF WELDING ARC SPECTRAL INFORMATION

Welding arc spectral information is a rising welding information source. In some occasion, it can reflect many physical phenomena of welding process and solve many problems that cannot be done with arc electric information, acoustic information and other arc information. It is of important significance in developing automatic control technique of welding process and other similar process. Many years study work on welding arc spectral information of the anthor are discussed from three aspects of theory, method and application. Basic theory, view and testing methods of welding arc spectral information has been put forward. In application aspects, many applied examples, for example, monitoring of harmful gases in arc （such as hydrogen and nitrogen） with the method of welding arc spectral information; welding arc spectral imaging of the welding pool which is used in automatic seam tracking; controlling of welding droplet transfer with welding arc spectral information and so on, are introduced. Especially, the successful application in real time controlling of welding droplet transfer in pulsed GMAW is introduced too. These application examples show that the welding arc spectral information has great applied significance and development potentialities. These .content will play an important role in applying and spreading welding arc spectral informarion technology.

Modeling, Simulation and Control of Pulsed DE-GMA Welding Process for Joining of Aluminum to Steel

Joining of aluminum to steel has attracted significant attention from the welding research community,automotive and rail transportation industries.Many current welding methods have been developed and applied,however,they can not precisely control the heat input to work-piece,they are high costs,low efficiency and consist lots of complex welding devices,and the generated intermetallic compound layer in weld bead interface is thicker.A novel pulsed double electrode gas metal arc welding（Pulsed DE-GMAW）method is developed.To achieve a stable welding process for joining of aluminum to steel,a mathematical model of coupled arc is established,and a new control scheme that uses the average feedback arc voltage of main loop to adjust the wire feed speed to control coupled arc length is proposed and developed.Then,the impulse control simulation of coupled arc length,wire feed speed and wire extension is conducted to demonstrate the mathematical model and predict the stability of welding process by changing the distance of contact tip to work-piece（CTWD）.To prove the proposed PSO based PID control scheme’s feasibility,the rapid prototyping experimental system is setup and the bead-on-plate control experiments are conducted to join aluminum to steel.The impulse control simulation shows that the established model can accurately represent the variation of coupled arc length,wire feed speed and the average main arc voltage when the welding process is disturbed,and the developed controller has a faster response and adjustment,only runs about 0.1 s.The captured electric signals show the main arc voltage gradually closes to the supposed arc voltage by adjusting the wire feed speed in 0.8 s.The obtained typical current waveform demonstrates that the main current can be reduced by controlling the bypass current under maintaining a relative large total current.The control experiment proves the accuracy of proposed model and feasibility of new control scheme further.The beautiful and smooth weld beads are also obtained by this method.Pulsed DE-GMAW can thus be considered as an alternative method for low cost,high efficiency joining of aluminum to steel.

Modeling and Design of Real-Time Pricing Systems Based on Markov Decision Processes

A real-time pricing system of electricity is a system that charges different electricity prices for different hours of the day and for different days, and is effective for reducing the peak and flattening the load curve. In this paper, using a Markov decision process (MDP), we propose a modeling method and an optimal control method for real-time pricing systems. First, the outline of real-time pricing systems is explained. Next, a model of a set of customers is derived as a multi-agent MDP. Furthermore, the optimal control problem is formulated, and is reduced to a quadratic programming problem. Finally, a numerical simulation is presented.

Energy-saving design and optimization of pressure-swing-assisted ternary heterogenous azeotropic distillations

A huge amount of energy is always consumed to separate the ternary azeotropic mixtures by distillations.The heterogeneous azeotropic distillation and the pressure-swing distillation are two kinds of effective technologies to separate heterogeneous azeotropes without entrainer addition.To give better play to the synergistic energy-saving effect of these two processes,a novel pressure-swing-assisted ternary heterogeneous azeotropic distillation(THAD)process is proposed firstly.In this process,the ternary heterogeneous azeotrope is decanted into two liquid phases before being refluxed into the azeotropic distillation column to avoid the aqueous phase remixing,and three columns'pressures are modified to decrease the flowrates of the recycle streams.Then the dividing wall column and heat integration technologies are introduced to further reduce its energy consumption,and the pressureswing-assisted ternary heterogeneous azeotropic dividing-wall column and its heat integration structure are achieved.A genetic algorithm procedure is used to optimize the proposed processes.The design results show that the proposed processes have higher energy efficiencies and lower CO_(2)emissions than the published THAD process.

Acquisition and processing of coaxial image of molten pool and keyhole in Nd:YAG laser welding with high power

An experimental setup of acquiring the coaxial visual image of the molten pool and keyhole in high power Nd:YAG laser welding is introduced in this paper. It is one of the most difficult problems in acquiring coaxial image that the coaxial imaging signal of molten pool and keyhole must be separated from the laser beam with high power. This problem was resolved by designing a dichroitic spectroscope. The characteristics of imaging signal were analyzed and the coaxial image of molten pool and keyhole was acquired. A smoothing filter and a homomorphic filter were designed to remove the low frequency noise and to enhance the image according to the characteristics of imaging signal. At last, edges of molten pool and keyhole were detected and extracted based on image segmentation with threshold.

Program structures and synchronization schemes in numerical coordinate controllers of three-wire welding

In the three-wire welding system, a welding process consists of the operations of four devices, namely three welding machines and one bogie. The operations need to be synchronized by a numerical coordinate controller （ NCC ）. In this paper, we will discuss a tnsk-job-procedure cubic program structure. Under this structure, the devices are synchronized and isolated at the same time. This cubic program structure can also be used as a reference for other multi-device or multi-unit manufacturing processes.

Process design and intensification of multicomponent azeotropes special distillation separation via molecular simulation and system optimization

This work provides an overview of distillation processes,including process design for different distillation processes,selection of entrainers for special distillation processes,system integration and intensification of distillation processes,optimization of process parameters for distillation processes and recent research progress in dynamic control strategies.Firstly,the feasibility of using thermodynamic topological theories such as residual curve,phase equilibrium line and distillation boundary line to analyze different separation regions is discussed,and the rationality of distillation process design is discussed by using its feasibility.Secondly,the application of molecular simulation methods such as molecular dynamics simulation and quantum chemical calculation in the screening of entrainer is discussed for the extractive distillation process.The thermal coupling mechanism of different distillation processes is used to explore the process of different process intensifications.Next,a mixed integer nonlinear optimization strategy for the distillation process based on different algorithms is introduced.Finally,the improvement of dynamic control strategies for different distillation processes in recent years is summarized.This work focuses on the application of process intensification and system optimization in the design of distillation process,and analyzes the challenges,prospects,and development trends of distillation technology in the separation of multicomponent azeotropes.

Real-time measurement of welding temperature field and closed loop control of penetration

Colormetric method of images by using two different wavelength images is a new measuring method for welding temperature field on the basis of ordinary colorimetric method, which depends little on the measuring distance, emissivity of body etc. In this paper the real time measuring system and measuring principle of welding temperature field are described, the whole welding temperature field is real time measured, so the temperature distribution at the welding direction and its cross section is obtained, then parameters of thermal cycle. With data from the temperature closed loop control system of the parameters of temperature field is developed and tested. Experimental results prove that it has high measurement speed (time of a field within 0.5 s ) and good dynamic response quality. Weld penetration can be controlled satisfactorily under the variation of welding condition such as welding thickness, welding speed and weldment gap etc.

Modelling and Multi-Objective Optimal Control of Batch Processes Using Recurrent Neuro-fuzzy Networks

In this paper, the modelling and multi-objective optimal control of batch processes, using a recurrent neuro-fuzzy network, are presented. The recurrent neuro-fuzzy network, forms a ＂global＂ nonlinear long-range prediction model through the fuzzy conjunction of a number of ＂local＂ linear dynamic models. Network output is fed back to network input through one or more time delay units, which ensure that predictions from the recurrent neuro-fuzzy network are long-range. In building a recurrent neural network model, process knowledge is used initially to partition the processes non-linear characteristics into several local operating regions, and to aid in the initialisation of corresponding network weights. Process operational data is then used to train the network. Membership functions of the local regimes are identified, and local models are discovered via network training. Based on a recurrent neuro-fuzzy network model, a multi-objective optimal control policy can be obtained. The proposed technique is applied to a fed-batch reactor.

Numerical simulation of dynamic thermal process during doublesided asymmetrical TIG backing welding of large thick plates

The dynamic thermal process during double-sided asymmetrical TIG backing welding of large thick plates （ 1 000 mm×700 mm×50 mm） is numerically simulated using MSC. MARC. The effect of arc distance on the thermal cycle in weld zone during double-sided asymmetrical T1G backing welding is investigated. The results show that the workpiece experiences double-peak thermal cycle in double-sided asymmetrical TIG backing welding. On the one hand, the fore arc has the pre- heating effect on the rear pass, and the pre-heating temperature depends on the distance between the double arcs, the heat input of fore arc, and the initial temperature of workpiece. On the other hand, the rear arc has the post-heating effect on the fore pass. The mutual effects of two heat sources decrease with the increase of arc distance.

Dynamic and control system analysis of two-wheeled robot for welding application

Aiming at the welding condition of space complex seam is uncertain and the intelligence of welding robot is unideal, a two-wheeled mobile robot is developed. It not only has the capacity of autonomous decision and avoiding obstacles, but also can flexibly move and strongly adapt variable environment. The composition of the welding robot is described and the dynamic model is established. The feasible control strategy and control algorithm is put forward. The simulation experiments of real world are conducted, the results are satisfying.

Experimental and Simulation Studies on Cold Welding Sealing Process of Heat Pipes

Sealing quality strongly affects heat pipe performance, but few studies focus on the process of heat pipe sealing. Cold welding sealing technology based on a stamping process is applied for heat pipe sealing. The bonding mechanism of the cold welding sealing process （CWSP） is investigated and compared with the experimental results obtained from the bonding interface analysis. An orthogonal experiment is conducted to observe the effects of various parameters, including the sealing gap, sealing length, sealing diameter, and sealing velocity on bonding strength. A method with the utilization of saturated vapor pressure inside a copper tube is proposed to evaluate bonding strength. A corresponding finite element model is developed to investigate the effects of sealing gap and sealing velocity on plastic deformation during the cold welding process. Effects of various parameters on the bonding strength are determined and it is found that the sealing gap is the most critical factor and that the sealing velocity contributes the least effect. The best parameter combination （AIB3CID3, with a 0.5 mm sealing gap, 6 mm sealing length, 3.8 mm sealing diameter, and 50 mm/s sealing velocity） is derived within the experimental parameters. Plastic deformation results derived from the finite element model are consistent with those from the experiment. The instruction for the CWSP of heat pipes and the design of sealing dies of heat pipes are provided.

Diffusion welding process and joint's microstructure behavior of SiC_w/6061Al composite

The rules such as process parameters affecting joint properties and theevolution principle of weld's microstructure have been researched by adopting diffusion weldingprocess to connect SiC_w/6061Al composite. Experimental results show that there exists a criticaltemperature region between solid and liquid phase line of SiC_w/6061Al composite, and the regionwill shrink with the increasing of welding pressure. When diffusion welding occurred under thecritical temperature region, welding joint exhibits bad property of bonding, and the matrix and thereinforcement can't bond effectively. When diffusion welding occurred in the critical temperatureregion, the strength of welding joint changes widely with the variation of welding temperature. Whenwelding temperature varies in 10 deg C, the strength of welding joint will change obviously. Onlywhen welding temperature is higher than the critical temperature region, stable joint properties canbe obtained. Simultaneously the matrix and the reinforcement has better interfacial bonded indiffusion welding interface, and no obvious interface reaction occurred, and thus diffusion weldingof SiC_w/6061 Al composite can be successfully realized.

Detection and processing of molten-pool image of electron-beam deep-penetration welding based on visual sensing

A visual sensing system was developed. The system is suitable for titanium-alloy electron-beam welding, and senses and detects molten-pool dynamic processes. A suite of processing programs for colored molten-pool images in titanium-alloy electron-beam welding was developed using Matlab software; molten-pool edge images are completely obtained using the program. The Matlab software was used to write a program which could extract the molten-pool width. The functional relationship between the molten-pool width and penetration under the experimental conditions was obtained by a curve-fitting method, and provided the theoretical basis for further penetration control.

Situation and Developing Trend of Rare-Earth Countercurrent Extraction Processes Control

On the basis of the description of the rare-earth countercurrent extraction process, the on-line detecting method and equipments of rare-earth elements and the application in the process of the rare-earth countercurrent extraction are summarized. The procedure simulation of the computer, the automation control method and its current application are also mentioned in the process of rare-earth countercurrent extraction. The method of soft sensor is proposed. Optimal control method based on object-oriented rare-earth countercurrent extraction process and integrated automation system composed of process management system and process control system are presented, which are the developing direction of the automation of rare-earth countercurrent extraction process.