Adaptive control of high-thickness laser welding

Summary Laser welding is considered, in principle at least, a conventional process. The objective here is improved flexibility and the acceptance of certain imperfections in the preparation, positioning and support of castings. The aim of this investigation is to validate an adaptive laser welding system. It is a matter of tracking the joint and adapting the welding parameters (power, travel speed of the casting, laser beam oscillation, output of filler wire) in terms of the gap width measured between the welding castings. The equipment used for this is an industrial joint-tracking system and a flat vibrating mirror, with control of static position and vibration. The joint-tracking system determines joint position and geometry (gap and variations in level). Dedicated software determines the welding parameters in terms of gap width measured and controls mirror position and oscillation, the amplitude variation of which enables the size of the molten pool to be increased if required. It is thus possible to w...