Control of Gas Tungsten Arc Weld Pool Surface

本研究的目的是通过模拟智能自动焊机的熟练操作人员，提高对精密焊接钨气弧焊过程的控制能力，以保证焊接质量的一致性。为此，将开发一种新的传感和控制系统来测量和控制焊接熔池的三维表面。一种新的技术将被用于改进传统的气体钨极弧焊工艺，以获得更好的电弧集中和方向性。为了模拟所开发的控制技术的性能，将建立一个数值模型来分析改进后的过程在不同焊接参数下的行为。工作范围涉及基础物理、动态建模和鲁棒控制问题。研究小组将与业界伙伴和政府科学家就基础研究和应用问题密切合作。该研究包括一项计划，以教育研究生在基础科学的整合和工业应用的潜力。研究者还计划接受本科生和有才华的高中生，包括那些来自代表性不足的群体的学生，在研究过程中对仔细定义的主题进行研究。除了社会影响之外，对工业的影响也应该是显著的，一些工业合作伙伴承诺为这种新技术在生产水平的未来发展提供案例研究支持和设备/工程支持。

The objective of this research is to improve the capability of controlling the gas tungsten arc welding process for precise joining by emulating skilled operators using intelligent automatic welding machines in order to produce quality welds consistently. To this end, a novel sensing and control system will be developed to measure and control the three-dimensional surface of the weld pool. A new technique will be used to modify the traditional gas tungsten arc welding process for better arc concentration and directionality. A numerical model will be developed to analyze the behaviors of the modified process under the varying welding parameters in order to simulate the performance of the developed control technology. The scope of work addresses basic physics, dynamic modeling, and robust control issues. The research team will closely collaborate with industrial partners and governmental scientists on both the basic research and applied issues. The investigator includes a plan to educate graduate students in both the fundamental science integration and potential for industrial applications. The investigator also plans to accept undergraduate and talented high school students, including those from under-represented groups, to work on carefully defined topics during the research. In addition to the social impact, the impact on industry should also be significant and several industrial partners are committed to case study support and equipment/engineering support for the future development of this novel technology at production level.