Application of High Efficiency Automated Submerged Arc Welding System on Steel Structure Fabrication

摘要

Submerged arc welding (SAW) has been the main stream welding process for steel structure fabrication for decades. As higher buildings and stronger structures are demanded, thick steel plates are increasingly used. Therefore, efficient SAW processes which provide higher deposition rate of filler metal becomes essential in order to reach more welding volume without significantly increasing the labor time. In this article a new type of automated SAW system for box beam fabrication which utilizes inverter power sources to deliver higher deposition rate and energy efficiency is introduced. The welding procedure of a practical workpiece welded by this system and the mechanical tests results of its weld metal are also illustrated. At last, the deposition rate and energy consumption of this system are compared with that of the tradition SAW welding system, which uses SCR (Silicon Controlled Rectifier) power sources. The results indicate that when adopting the same welding procedure, the new SAW system possesses 27% higher deposition rate and 30% lower energy consumption than the traditional system, while maintaining good mechanical properties and penetration of the weld metal.