Abstract

The estimation of nugget sizes was attempted by utilizing the artificial neural networks method. Artificial neural networks is a highly simplified model of the biological nervous system. Artificial neural networks is composed of a large number of elemental processors connected like biological neurons. Although the elemental processors have only simple computation functions, because they are connected massively, they can describe any complex functional relationship between an input-output pair in an autonomous manner. The electrode head movement signal, which is a good indicator of corresponding nugget size was determined by measuring the each test specimen. The sampled electrode movement data and the corresponding nugget sizes were fed into the artificial neural networks as input-output pairs to train the networks. In the training phase for the networks, the artificial neural networks constructs a fuctional relationship between the input-output pairs autonomusly by adjusting the set of weights. In the production(estimation) phase when new inputs are sampled and presented, the artificial neural networks produces appropriate outputs(the estimates of the nugget size) based upon the transfer characteristics learned during the training mode. Experimental verification of the proposed estimation method using artificial neural networks was done by actual destructive testing of welds. The predicted result by the artifficial neural networks were found to be in a good agreement with the actual nugget size. The results are quite promising in that the real-time estimation of the invisible nugget size can be achieved by analyzing the process variable without any conventional destructive testing of welds.

Keywords

• Resistance Spot Welding;
• Weld Quality;
• Nugget Size;
• Electrde Movement;
• Initial Slope of Electrode movement;
• Maximum Electrode Movement;
• FinalSlope of Electrode Movement;
• Artificial Neural Networts;
• Estimation of Nugget Size