Implementation of a two-stage algorithm for NG-GMAW seam tracking and oscillation width adaptation in pipeline welding

Abstract

Seam tracking and oscillation width adaptation could effectively reduce the sidewall fusion defects in automatic narrow-gap gas metal arc welding (NG-GMAW). This study proposes a two-stage algorithm to realise seam tracking and oscillation width adaptation in NG-GMAW pipeline welding. The first stage involves using the principal component analysis (PCA) eigenvectors to adjust the oscillating centre, enabling seam tracking and oscillation width adaptation for the hot and fill layer. In the second stage, dataset was prepared based on the tracking data from the first stage, which can guide the welding torch trajectory for the cap layer. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme achieves seam tracking and oscillation width adaptation with an accuracy of 0.1 mm.

KEYWORDS:

• NG-GMAW
• pipeline welding
• seam tracking
• oscillation width adaptation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of Xinjiang (Grant No: 2022D01C391), the project of Robot and intelligent equipment technology innovation team (Grant No:2022D14002), the Science and Technology Innovations Project of the Outstanding Doctor of Xinjiang University (Grant No: XJUBSCX-201906), and the Tianshan Cedar Talent Project of Autonomous Region of Xinjiang China (Grant No:2020XS28).