Measurement and prediction of weld pool shape during gas metal arc welding using a noncontact laser profiling system

The main objective of this work is to provide detailed measurement of the full 3-dimensional weld pool shape for the Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) process. Relationships between the welding process variables and important pool shape parameters have been established, and the measured profile is in an appropriate form for use in numerical models of the GMA welding process. A mechanical ejection device instantaneously emptied the molten metal from weld pool by rapidly accelerating and decelerating the test plate being welded. A non-contact laser profiling system is used for accurate measurement of the exposed weld pools. Welding speed and welding current are found to have the greatest influence on the length of a weld pool, and increasing heat input level yields higher values for all critical weld pool dimensions.