Thick Plate Robotic Welding

Robotic Welding of Thick Plates: Multi-Pass Welds, Weaving and Arc Tracking

Plan multi-pass welds, weaving and arc tracking for 5–30 mm steel plates. For long full-penetration seams on box columns and H-sections, use the submerged arc station.

Plate Thickness and Weld Leg Size

The gas-shielded stations weld carbon and low-alloy steel plates 5–30 mm thick. For heavy plate work, review the weld leg size as well as the plate thickness: legs over 10 mm are made in several passes.

How Multi-Pass Welding Works

The software generates the path for each pass automatically. Arc tracking is available on the root pass, correcting the weld position as the torch travels along the joint.

Process Functions at the Joint

FunctionWhat it does for your weld
Arc trackingCorrects side-to-side and height deviation during welding, with different weaving patterns.
Wire touch and laser sensingWire contact locates the seam; laser sensing provides non-contact location, scanning and tracking.
Re-strike and interrupted-weld restartRe-strike helps start the arc when impurities are present at the start point, which suits multi-pass welding. After an interruption, move the torch back to the stop point to continue; backstep restart fills the crater.
Corners and connected seamsThe laser locates corners and adjusts torch orientation automatically. Continuous welding connects several seams to avoid stress concentration at their joints. Fan-shaped welding plans torch orientation and checks collisions to connect the seams.
Intermittent and fish-scale weldingIntermittent welding reduces distortion on parts that need it and applies to straight seams. Fish-scale welding is also available.

Nine Weaving Patterns

Sine, triangle, L-shape, sloping sine, circular arc, V-shape, fore-and-aft, reverse crescent and pendulum.

Adjustments During Welding

An optional remote control lets the operator trim torch position up, down, left and right, as well as current, voltage and weaving amplitude, during welding.

Positions, Shielding Gas and Wire

GMAW (MIG / MAG) supports DC and pulse modes. Positions are flat PA, horizontal fillet PB and vertical-down PG.

  • Shielding gas: 80% Ar + 20% CO₂, 100% CO₂, or 95% Ar + 5% O₂.
  • Wire: solid wire in 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.6 mm diameters, or 1.2 mm flux-cored wire.

When to Choose Submerged Arc Welding

Full-penetration butt welds in webs and flanges need accurate cutting and fit-up. For long full-penetration seams on box columns and H-sections, choose a submerged arc welding station.

Thick Plate Welding Questions

How thick can the plates be?

The gas-shielded stations weld carbon and low-alloy steel plates from 5 to 30 mm thick. Weld legs over 10 mm are made in several passes.

How are large weld legs made?

Weld legs over 10 mm are made in several passes. The software generates each pass path automatically, with arc tracking on the root pass.

Which weaving patterns are available?

Sine, triangle, L-shape, sloping sine, circular arc, V-shape, fore-and-aft, reverse crescent and pendulum.

Which shielding gas and wire can I use?

Shielding gas: 80% Ar + 20% CO₂, 100% CO₂, or 95% Ar + 5% O₂.

Wire: solid wire in 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.6 mm diameters, or 1.2 mm flux-cored wire.

What should I choose for full-penetration seams?

Full-penetration butt welds in webs and flanges need accurate cutting and fit-up. For long full-penetration seams on box columns and H-sections, choose a submerged arc welding station.

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