Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWMAs part of the Orka3D project, the project team is developing an automated process for assessing the quality and service life of welded joints based on 3D scans.
Optimizing resource use in welded structures through automated in-line service life assessment based on 3D scans
Completed research project
Project description
The project aims to reduce the sheet metal thickness of welded components and structures in order to reduce the high consumption of metal, energy, and emissions in the metalworking industry. To this end, the research team led by Fraunhofer IWM is developing an automated method for assessing the service life of welded joints based on 3D scans.
Fraunhofer IWM subproject:
The aim of the project is to develop a concept for an automatable and user-independent method for in-line (or subsequent) inspection and individual service life assessment of welded joints based on 3D scans. Particular attention is being paid to the development of a technical solution for creating 3D scans and evaluating them on welded joints made of structural steel (S355) using metal active gas welding (MAG). Fraunhofer IWM and Fraunhofer LBF are developing an efficient method for detecting areas with high stress concentration using artificial neural networks (ANN) and for deriving geometric data for service life analysis directly from the raw 3D data obtained. This enables the individual evaluation of welded joints, even for complex surface geometries that have not been explicitly considered in regulations to date and contributes significantly to more efficient resource utilization and sheet thickness reduction.
Transfer of project results to the following Fraunhofer IWM R&D services for companies:
- In-line service life assessment: With the developed algorithm, service life assessments can be carried out directly during production.
- Probabilistic service life assessment: Service life assessments in the design process based on previously measured seam geometries.
- Development of sustainable manufacturing strategies to reduce emissions and resource use in the metalworking industry.
