Welding Sequence Optimization through a Modified Lowest Cost Search Algorithm

摘要

Welding deformation plays a negative role in metal joining processes. It greatly impacts industries in several ways such as constraints in the design phase, reworks, quality cost and overall capital expenditure. Welding sequence optimization significantly reduces the welding deformation. Selecting an optimal welding sequence can be considered as a combinatorial optimization problem with many possible configurations which often make it computationally very expensive. This paper reports the development and implementation of a Modified Lowest Cost Search (MLCS) algorithm which produces a pseudo-optimal welding sequence. Welding simulation experiments were conducted on a plate-tube skewed T-joint using Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) which is commonly used in heavy earth-moving, construction and agricultural equipment. Experimental results demonstrate that proposed MLCS algorithm yields less deformation and effective stress.