Arc-sidewall-attaching-driven control of swing arc motion in narrow gap GMAW

Abstract A novel, event-driven approach to controlling the weaving motion in swing arc narrow gap GMAW is presented in this study. The control method is based on independently detecting the arc attachment event at each sidewall of the narrow groove to adjust the weaving motion in real time. Previous arc sensing approaches for swing arc principles are based on evaluating and comparing arc sensor readings collected during the dwell periods at each sidewall. Not only does this require the torch to be positioned at the groove centre and the arc motion to be symmetric, but previous methods have also been shown to rely on complex parametrization of control parameters. The newly presented approach is based on the real-time monitoring of the welding current progression during the approach of the arc towards the sidewall of the groove independently on each side. As soon as the arc attachment at the sidewall is detected based on a characteristic rise in the current signal, the weaving motion is stopped. For reference experiments in a 21-mm wide groove, the weaving angle amplitude is controlled and limited to 50° on both sides individually, resulting in stable process conditions and uniform sidewall fusion. It is further shown that the newly developed control method can successfully be applied to groove widths of 18 mm and 24 mm without reconfiguration of the control parameters, highlighting the flexibility of the approach.