Stabilization and Control of Arc in TIG Welding by Laser Irradiation (Development of Laser Weaving Process in Arc Welding I)

Abstract

Robot welding using TIG welding process is often used to join thin metal plates because of the stability of arc compared with other arc welding processes. However, the tungsten electrode tip of the TIG welding torch is considerably consumed during the welding process due to the high temperature of the arc and the oxidation by surrounding air. As a result, the shape of the electrode tip changes and the arc becomes unstable. Accordingly, in order to realize stable welding, control of the tungsten electrode tip is important. Since the arc is essentially unstable, sometimes it becomes unstable by some factors. On the contrary, the laser beam has extraordinary stability and directivity because of the nature of the light beam. Therefore, stabilization and control of the unstable TIG arc by the laser beam was investigated. In this study, the feasibility of stabilization and control of welding arc by laser beam was studied using hybrid welding process combining TIG arc and low power YAG laser.