Laser weld penetration estimation using temperature measurements

Technical Report · Wed Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/541922· OSTI ID:541922

Lankalapalli, K N; Tu, J F ^[1]; Leong, K H ^[2]; Gartner, M ^[3]

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1. Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (United States). School of Industrial Engineering
2. Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
3. Ford Motor Co., Livonia, MI (United States)

Penetration depth is an important factor critical to the quality of a laser weld. This paper examines the feasibility of using temperature measurements on the bottom surface of the work-piece to estimate weld penetration. A three-dimensional analytical model relating penetration depth, weld bead width and welding speed to temperature distribution at the bottom surface of the workpiece is developed. Temperatures on the bottom surface of the workpiece are measured using infrared thermocouples located behind the laser beam. Experimental results from bead-on-plate welds on low carbon steel plates of varying thickness at different levels of laser power and speeds validate the model and show that the temperature on the bottom surface is a sensitive indicator of penetration depth. The proposed model is computationally efficient and is suitable for on-line process monitoring application.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 541922
• Report Number(s): ANL/TD/PP--91464; ON: DE98000738
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
LASER WELDING
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
ON-LINE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
QUALITY CONTROL
REAL TIME SYSTEMS
STEELS
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT