A KNOWLEDGE BASED APPROACH FOR THE SELECTION OF PARAMETERS AND ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDING

Abstract

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) is a process that is used most frequently and the variations of this process are too many due to a large variety of factors such as welder, electrodes and techniques. That is the reason for the selection of SMAW as a potential field for development of an Expert System for shielded metal arc welding (EX-SMAW). The various variables affecting SMAW were identified in detail and accordingly a methodology for the selection of welding current and electrode was devised. Also the various sources of standarddata of SMAW were studied, from where the most appropriate data were selected for the development of the expert system. The various methods of cost analysis and weight determination of weldments as available in literature were optimally chosen and used in the expert system. The information on the various weld defects, their causes provided data for the development of the diagnostic feature of the EX-SMAW. This knowledged based data approach has been utilized for the development of EX-SMAW for checking the applicability of SMAW, selection of parameters, cost and time estimation and joint preparation for specific jobs. The system also helps the welder/welding engineer's in trouble shooting and defect analysis. Separate modules have been developed which can be used for each of the above purposes.