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% CO2 gas and high-cost MAG (Ar-CO2 mixed) gas. CO2 shielding gas is not only cheaper but also produces stronger welds than does MAG welding. However CO2 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 CO2 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 CO2 welding 2.Welding navigation, a function for our welding robots that allows inexperienced operators to set the welding parameters easily