Automated spot weld inspection using infrared thermography

Jian Chen, Wei Zhang, Zhenzhen Yu, Zhili Feng

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

An automated non-contact and non-destructive resistance spot weld inspection system based on infrared (IR) thermography was developed for post-weld applications. During inspection, a weld coupon was heated up by an auxiliary induction heating device from one side of the weld, while the resulting thermal waves on the other side were observed by an IR camera. The IR images were analyzed to extract a thermal signature based on normalized heating time, which was then quantitatively correlated to the spot weld nugget size. The use of normalized instead of absolute IR intensity was found to be useful in minimizing the sensitivity to the unknown surface conditions and environment interference. Application of the IR-based inspection system to different advanced high strength steels, thickness gauges and coatings were discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTrends in Welding Research - Proceedings of the 9th International Conference
Pages148-151
Number of pages4
StatePublished - 2013
Event9th International Conference on Trends in Welding Research - Chicago, IL, United States
Duration: Jun 4 2012Jun 8 2012

Publication series

NameASM Proceedings of the International Conference: Trends in Welding Research

Conference

Conference9th International Conference on Trends in Welding Research
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityChicago, IL
Period06/4/1206/8/12

Keywords

  • Advanced high-strength steels
  • Infrared thermography
  • Non-destructive testing
  • Resistance spot welding

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