Use of machine learning algorithms for weld quality monitoring using acoustic signature

Abstract

Welding is one of the major joining processes employed in fabrication industry, especially one that manufactures boiler, pressure vessels, marine structure etc. Control of weld quality is very important for such industries. In this work an attempt is made to correlate arc sound with the weld quality. The welding is done with various combinations of current, voltage, and travel speed to produce good welds as well as weld with defects. The defects considered in this study are lack of fusion and burn through. Raw data points captured from the arc sound were converted into amplitude signals. The welded specimens were inspected and classified into 3 classes such as good weld and weld with lack of fusion and burn through. Statistical features of raw data were extracted using data mining software. Using classification algorithms the defects are classified. Two algorithms namely, J48 and random forest were used and classification efficiencies of the algorithms were reported.