Statistical Process Design (SPD) has been evaluated as a method of establishing which factors of an auto- mated flux cored arc welding (FCAW) process are most critical to minimize weld defect incidence. In this specific case, eighteen tests were conducted in a SPD program to establish the critical factors. Using conventional techniques, more than 2,000 tests would have had to been conducted. Once the critical factors had been established, comparative welding tests were conducted to validate the SPD results. For this situation, the weld defect incidence was reduced from 47% to 0.074%, proving the SPD technique could be applied to this specific welding prac- tice, and it had the potential to be used on other automated welding processes.

A. J. Summerfield

Papers

Computer modelling of low alloy steel welds