Description

This study monitors autogenous laser welding on Strenx 700 E high-strength steels for enhancing weld quality. The proposed monitoring set up consists of three sensors with complementary physical principles. An active laser illumination welding camera equipped with a computer vision algorithm, morphological transformation, was used to identify the contour of the keyhole area and its capillary wave behavior. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) was employed to accurately measure the keyhole depth in-process, providing critical insights into the weld penetration dynamics. Lastly, an optical microphone captured acoustic emission signatures across the frequency range of 1 – 200 kHz that correlates with different welding conditions and potential defects. Single pass welding was conducted with fixed speed at 3 m/min and laser power ranging from 1.0 to 6.0 kW with 1 kW interval. Post-weld analysis was performed after cutting, grinding and etching the welded samples to reveal the cross-sectional area as fusion zone and heat-affected zone (HAZ). Micro Vickers hardness tests were conducted across the cross-section of the weld, showing variations in hardness due to microstructural changes induced by the welding process. The integration of these monitoring techniques supports the inspection of weld quality and mechanical properties. The findings illustrate the potential of multisensory monitoring systems in optimizing laser welding processes for high-strength steels, establishing a foundation for more reliable and efficient welding applications in industries requiring robust and durable joints.

Contributing Authors

  • Li-Wei Hsu
    University of Turku
  • Saeid Parchegani Chozaki
    University of Turku
  • Henrique Hiram Libutti Núñez
    University of Turku
  • Kandice Suane Barros Ribeiro
    University of Turku
  • Wallace Moreira Bessa
    University of Turku
  • Antti Salminen
    University of Turku
Li-Wei Hsu
University of Turku
Track: AI/Modeling/Monitoring Track
Session: AI/Modeling/Monitoring - TBD
Day of Week: Undetermined
Date/Time:
Location:

Keywords

  • Acoustic Emission
  • Computer Vision
  • Keyhole Monitoring
  • Laser Welding
  • Optical Coherence Tomography