Prediction of weld pass size and placement in robotic multipass MAG welding of steels

TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 385/1988

By R W Graham

Background

Off-line programming is likely to become increasingly important in future automated arc welding cells. In such a cell, the robot could be welding whilst the next program is being developed, thus reducing non-productive time. Off-line programming requires that both the robot path and the welding procedure are specified in a pre-production plan. For multipass welding, these welding procedures are complex and must specify welding parameters for each pass and the placement of that pass.

This work considers the development of these procedures and a 'welding model' has been developed for the multipass MAG welding of mild steel fillet welds, produced in the flat position. From a base model, different welding patterns of 3-12 passes have been developed which enable prediction of pass size and placement to be made.