Noncontact ultrasonic sensing of weld pools for automated welding

Conference · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6548383

Johnson, J A; Carlson, N M

Contacting ultrasonic techniques can determine the geometry of the molten/solid interface and detect conditions which could lead to defect formation. However, the couplant required is a potential source of contamination in the weld and may be difficult to use under industrial conditions. Stress waves can also be generated and detected using noncontacting techniques. Ultrasonic stress waves are generated by focusing a beam from a pulsed laser on a stationary weld pool formed on the surface of a steel plate or on a weld pool in a fillet weld. The transmitted ultrasound is detected by an electromagnetic-acoustic transducer (EMAT). The signal received by the EMAT provides information about the properties of the pool, including the geometry and defect generating conditions. This information can be input to an intelligent controller. The ultrasonic system described in this paper is being developed as a portion of the sensing and control system for a completely automated welder. 11 refs., 5 figs.

• Research Organization: EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 6548383
• Report Number(s): EGG-M-88049; CONF-881081-1; ON: DE89005185
• Resource Relation: Conference: Meeting on nondestructive characterization of materials, Saarbrucken, F.R. Germany, 3 Oct 1988; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
WELDING
AUTOMATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
LASERS
TRANSDUCERS
ULTRASONIC TESTING
ACOUSTIC TESTING
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DATA
FABRICATION
INFORMATION
JOINING
MATERIALS TESTING
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
NUMERICAL DATA
TESTING
420200* - Engineering- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques
420500 - Engineering- Materials Testing