Multi-layer Multi-pass Welding of Medium Thickness Plate: Technologies, Advances and Future Prospects

Multi-layer multi-pass (MLMP) welding of medium thickness plate is always the focus and difficulty of research and application. It is widely used in shipbuilding and pressure vessel manufacturing. This paper summarizes the research developments of MLMP in recent years, including welding technologies, advances and future prospects. In welding technology, some modified welding techniques are included, such as ASDAW. The welding simulation process is also discussed in detail. In automation part, the novel feature extraction methods based on different sensing techniques are summarized. Then, the emphasis is laid on the researches of recent years on path planning model and seam tracking techniques. At the end of this paper, summary is made and future prospects of application of advanced technology in intelligent robotic MLMP welding are given. And the promising development directions of MLMP are prospected in intelligent robotic welding of medium thickness plate.