Experimental Approach to Selection of Pulsing Parameters in Pulsed GMAW A method for selection of process parameters in pulsed GMAW helps to efficiently develop welding procedures

An efficient method of iden- tifying power supply pulsing parameters for pulsed gas metal arc welding based on statistical experimental design is pre- sented. Fractional factorial screening ex- periments are combined with D-optimal experimental designs to allow the user to develop an accurate wire feed rate model for varying pulsing conditions and to characterize the desirable one droplet per pulse (ODPP) operating region for a given wire type and diameter. Equations defining the wire feed rates and time at a given peak current required for ODPP transfer are presented. Compared to con- ventional techniques, a very small num- ber of experiments is required. A power- supply-dependent approach and a more generic method employing measured rather than nominal current values are presented. Joints produced using this ap- proach are evaluated and found to meet applicable bead geometry standards.