Abstract
Abstract
The arc length has been detected through the arc because the welding current and voltage vary linearly with the arc length. In this work, the relationship between the arc light intensity and arc length is investigated through analytic modelling. The arc light intensity is derived as a function of the arc length and welding current using the heat balance in the plasma. Experiments are carried out to verify the proposed model and to find out the effects of welding conditions on the arc light intensity in gas metal arc welding (GMAW). The arc light intensity varies proportionally to the arc length and signal quality is enhanced with a fast weaving speed. The predicted results of the arc light intensity show reasonably good agreement with the experimental data.