Calculation of four arc welding mode for large diameter pipes

The paper gives the analysis of literature on multiarc welding. The rationale to the creation of a mathematical model for the calculation of the multiarc welding mode parameters was given. The algorithm of the model was used as the basis for the development of the software program complex named WeldCalc. It was shown that one of the most important factors affecting the quality of the welded connection i.e. getting the geometry given of the welded joint was the determination of the optimal mode parameters of multiarc welding. As any change at least of one of the mode settings of multiarc welding of large diameter pipes leads to the decrease in the economic costs of laboratory tests aimed to define sample weldability, the absence of theoretical calculations of the parameters of multifactorial multiarc welding process complicates the choice of the final technological solutions. The problem of developing a mathematical model that defines the connection between the parameters of a multiarc welding process and the automation of the calculations of these parameters is the relevant technological task. At the department of “Equipment and technology of welding production” (South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk) a mathematical model and a computer program were developed. The latter allows to calculate the modes of multiarc welding. The screenshots of the program are shown in the article. As an example, the test calculation of four-arc welding was performed for the metal of 15.7 mm thick having butt joint. The theoretical results were compared with the practical ones performed in the laboratory. The obtained values of the respective coefficients of the settings were listed in the table, the formulas of the proportional ratio between the currents in the mathematical model were presented. The data obtained correlate with the calculations made.