Weld pool boundary and weld bead shape reconstruction based on passive vision in P-GMAW

A passive visual sensing system is established in this research, and clear weld pool images in pulsed gas metal arc welding (P-GMAW) can be captured with this system. The three-dimensional weld pool geometry, especially the weld height, is not only a crucial factor in determining workpiece mechanical properties, but also an important parameter for reflecting the penetration. A new three-dimensional (3D) model is established to describe the weld pool geometry in P-GMAW. Then, a series of algorithms are developed to extract the model geometrical parameters from the weld pool images. Furthermore, the method to reconstruct the 3D shape of weld pool boundary and weld bead from the two-dimensional images is investigated.