Optimization of Process Parameters of Submerged Arc Welding on AISI 1018

Submerged arc welding is more preferable because of its natural virtues like effortless control of high quality, smooth finish, deep penetration and variable. The quality of weld depends on the bead geometry of the weld which in turn depends on the process parameters. Quality has now turn into an important issue in today’s manufacturing world. Welding input parameters play a very important role in determining the quality of a weld joint. The present study uses welding current, arc voltage, welding speed and nozzle to plate distance parameters on AISI 1018 steel. The experiments are designed using Taguchi method by using Taguchi L27 orthogonal array considering four factors and three levels. To automate a welding process, which is the present trend in fabrication industry, it is essential that mathematical models have to be developed to relate the process variables to the weld bead parameters. The objective of the present work is to investigate the effects of the various SAW process parameters on the machining quality and to obtain the optimal sets of process parameters so that the quality of machined parts can be optimized.