Radial basis function neural network model based prediction of weld plate distortion due to pulsed metal inert gas welding

Welding shrinkage and distortion affect the shape, dimensional accuracy and strength of the finished product. This work concerns the prediction of welding distortion in a pulsed metal inert gas welding (PMIGW) process. Six different types of radial basis function network (RBFN) models have been developed to predict the distortion of welded plates. Six process parameters, namely, pulse voltage, background voltage, pulse duty factor, pulse frequency, wire feed rate and the welding speed, along with the root mean square (RMS) values of two sensor signals, namely, the welding current and the voltage signals, are used as input variables of these models. The angular distortion and the transverse shrinkage of the welded plate are considered as the output variables. Inclusion of sensor signals in the models, as developed in this work, results in better output prediction.