Real-time arc welding defect detection technique by means of plasma spectrum optical analysis

An optimized technique for real-time spectral analysis of thermal plasmas, with application in the monitoring and defect detection of industrial welding processes, particularly arc-welding, is presented in this paper. The calculation of the plasma electronic temperature by means of a sub-pixel algorithm permits on-line quality assessment of the welds, allowing the detection of common defects to be found in the welding seam, such as oxidation due to insufficient shielding gas flux or lack of penetration caused by current fluctuations of the welding power source. The proposed technique has been successfully checked in a real-time arc-welding monitoring system, and experimental results of stainless-steel welds are also reported.