Newly Developed Controls for Arc Welding Robot

Abstract

The most common shielding gases used in the GMAW process to weld mild steel are low-cost 100% CO 2 gas and high-cost MAG (Ar-CO 2 mixed) gas. CO 2 shielding gas is not only cheaper but also produces stronger welds than does MAG welding. However CO 2 welding causes more spatters, which adhere to the workpiece and can cause welding defects. Therefore, industry tends to use expensive but less spatter-generating mixed gas in order to reduce spatters and the cost of their removal. However, in order to reduce total fabrication cost, there is a need for improved welding techniques, ones which can use low-cost CO 2 gas while maintaining a low level of spatter. There is also a need for a system that allows inexperienced operators to set the welding parameters easily. This is because the shortage of expert welders is making the setting of welding parameters difficult and wasting a lot of workpieces and time in the process. This paper deals with a new process and function Panasonic has developed to meet the aforementioned needs: 1. The Active Wire feed Process (AWP), which achieves low-spatter CO 2 welding 2.Welding navigation, a function for our welding robots that allows inexperienced operators to set the welding parameters easily