Closed-loop control system design and experimental study for controlled pulse keyhole plasma arc welding

The controlled pulse waveform is newly applied in keyhole plasma arc welding process. Two additional descending slopes can guarantee stable and smooth transition of keyhole closing and opening periodically. To develop a closed-loop control system for this special welding process, the key point is the determination of system input and output variables. The averaged efflux plasma voltage during a pulse cycle is defined as the characteristic variable reflecting the real keyhole dimension. Research and experiments are conducted to explore the relationship between the characteristic variable and weld pe~Cormance. Results show that alternated peak current can significantly change the keyhole dimension and the penetration. It is proposed that the keyhole average dimension is taken as the controlled variable, and the peak pulse current value and slopes are taken as control variables.