VarGa - Adaptive control of varying joint gap in LBWW
The project aims at increase the flexibility for low series production, facilitate introduction of new products or new materials in robotized laser beam welding as well as securing a high and consistent weld quality.
Finding and tracking a butt joint with zero gap as well as joints with varying gap demands extensive testing prior to production welding. The weld quality may be affected by the joint, demanding difficult-to-perform inspections to find for instance very narrow lack of fusion.
To achieve this an in-process solution will be developed in order to secure uniform weld joint geometry and weld properties despite the presence of joint gap variations and uncertainties in joint position. Costs for set-up of the laser cell, pre-and post-weld work will be reduced and the tolerance in joint preparation and fixturing will be increased.
The in-process system will be based on a non-intrusive vision sensors system together with special illumination integrated in the laser beam welding tool combined with appropriate in-process control of the filler-wire feed-rate, welding parameters and robot path corrections.
MRL 5 is the expected goal for the project.
The project partners include research organizations, laser welding companies representing large, small and medium sized enterprises, a branch organization and laser tool integrator.
Research Area
- Teknik
- Produktionsteknik
- Produktionssystem
Research environment / Institution
- Produktionsteknik
- Institutionen för ingenjörsvetenskap
Project leader
Participants University West
Research Partner
- Swerea KIMAB
- Brogren Industries
- GKN Aerospace
- Luleå Tekniska universitet
- NORTHCONE
- PERMANOVA Lasersystem
- Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery
- Svetskommissionen
- Wugang Tailored Blanks
Research funding
- Vinnova
Project time
2016 - 2018