A study on relationship between process variables and bead penetration for robotic CO2 arc welding

Generally the robotic arc welding process involves sophisticated sensing and control techniques applied to various process variables. One of the major important tasks in the robotic CO2 arc welding process is to understand interrelationship between process variables and bead penetration and subsequently develop the mathematical models to predict the desired bead penetration. To achieve the objectives, partial-penetration and single-pass welds were fabricated in 12 mm SS400 plate by using four different process variables. The experimental results were employed to develop the curvilinear and linear equations, and find the process control algorithms for the CO2 arc welding process. Mathematical models developed can predict the bead penetration with reasonable accuracy. The process control algorithms developed will be useful for identifying the various problems that result from the CO2 arc welding process, and establishing criteria for effective joint design.