Desktop Weld Optimization Software
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The OSLW Application

Optimization Software for Laser Welding

View the OSLW Control Panel

The OSLW model is a specialized application for analyzing continuous wave laser welding in the conduction and keyhole mode. OSLW is helpful in developing weld procedures with optimized energy transfer and reduced heat input. It is based on an empirically developed dimensionless parameter model that is applicable to all metals and alloys.

OSLW incorporates a weld penetration model that is dependent on the laser beam intensity, travel speed, focused spotsize, and the shielding gas. The calculated results are therefore specific to the laser type, the beam quality, and the focusing lens used.

OSLW enables the user to:  

  • Obtain the nearest optimal weld procedure for user-specified width and penetration depth of weld.

  • OSLW displays the assumed weld shape as it is changed by the user and enables continuous weld model output via "mouse-down" button clicks on the contour plots.

  • In addition to optimizing the weld procedure, OSLW also allows the user to determine the effect of laser process parameters on weld dimensions.

  • Select from ten metals (304 Stainless Steel, 1018 Steel, Tin, Molybdenum, Titanium, Nickel 200, Kovar, Hastelloy C4, Hastelloy C22, Hastelloy B2) to analyze.

  • OSLW is not a general purpose model. For other types of laser welding, more general SmartWeld applications like ISO-2D should also be tried.

The OSLW GUI is divided into an output weld procedure listing, plot selection window, weld specification window, and a graphical weld cross-section display. The output listing contains the computed weld procedure and associated responses from the optimization. The plot selection window provides several types of graphics for more advanced analysis. The weld specification window accepts inputs for alloy type, a preferred focusing lens, desired weld depth and width, and the type of optimization desired. The program will often return different weld procedures depending on which efficiency is to be optimized. Completion of the weld procedure computation results in updated weld shape and analysis graphics displays. 2-D and 3-D analysis plots display the entire penetration depth contour of which the computed weld procedure is but one point. This allows the user to do tradeoffs if a neighboring suboptimal solution is considered preferable for the weld application.

OSLW calculates weld dimensions, parameter values, and several quality parameters including melting efficiency, energy transfer efficiency, and power sensitivity .


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