RSM-based optimal design of a supporting base for overlay welding automation system (OWAS) of large L-type tube

The automation technology for overlay welding is needed due to the occurrence of severe corrosion and abrasion on the surface of internal contact in different shape of fittings. In Korea, different shapes of fittings have been manufactured by using the imported equipment of overlay welding automation at some companies. Thus the research on the development of overlay welding automation system (in short, OWAS) for a large L-type tube is urgently needed. In this paper, the investigation is focused on the optimal design of a supporting base for the (currently developing) OWAS of large L-type tube. Specifically we assume that the base which supports the equipment during the process of overlay welding is loaded as self-weight in the direction of gravity through static analysis especially when it is rotated 180 degree on the OWAS. For optimal design of a supporting base for OWAS of large L-type tube, Solidworks^® (for 3-dimensional modelling) and ANASYS Workbench^® (for structural analysis) are incorporated so as to proceed an optimization routines based on Response Surface Method (RSM) and Design of Experiment (DOE). In more specific, DOE finds out major factors (or dimensions) of the supporting base by using MINITAB^®. Then the regression equations between design variables (the major factors of supporting base) and response variables (deformation, stress and safety factor for the supporting base), which will be resulted in by RSM, verify the major factors of DOE. In the next step, Central Composite Design (CCD) plans 20 simulations of ANASYS Workbench^® and then figures out the optimal values of design variables which will be reflected on the manufacturing of supporting base. Finally welding experiment is conducted to figure out the influence of overlay welding quality in applying the optimized design values of supporting base to the actual OWAS.