Product Code: ICAL08_1003

The Arc in Hybrid Welding Serves As a Sensor for the Process Quality
Authors:
Uwe Reisgen, Rwth Aachen University, Welding and Joining Institute; Aachen Germany
Simon Olschok, Rwth Aachen University, Welding and Joining Institute; Aachen Germany
Stefan Jakobs, Rwth Aachen University, Welding and Joining Institute; Aachen Germany
Presented at ICALEO 2008

Laser GMA hybrid welding which has been invented by Bill Steen in the late Seventies of the last century is gaining in importance in the metal-working industry. For this reason, the process is also in the special focus of interest in the fields of research and development. Irregularities in the arc welding process are well detectable from the recorded current and voltage signals of the arc. It is, therefore, obvious to research this possibility of analysis also for the hybrid process. Such being the case, following questions are of particular interest: Does the laser beam via its plasma exert a positive influence onto the GMA process? Which GMA power source control concepts are particularly suitable for hybrid welding? Which weld defects/process trouble in hybrid welding are detectable through the electric arc signals? Is it possible to quantify the laser power via the data from the GMA process? This paper shall contribute towards the clarification of the above-mentioned questions. Process trouble are observed by means of high-speed recordings and assigned to the current/voltage signals. Based on these results it is possible to establish innovative control and quality monitoring concepts and to integrate these into available concepts, e.g. the laser welding monitor by the Precitec company.