Development of a highly productive GMAW hot wire process using a two-dimensional arc deflection

Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) processes are used in a wide range of applications due to their high productivity and flexibility. Nevertheless, the supplied melting wire electrode leads to a coupling of material and heat input. Therefore, an increase of the melting rate correlates with an increase of the heat input by the arc at the same time. A possibility to separate material and heat input is to use an additional wire, which reduces penetration and worsens the wetting behaviour. Consequently, bead irregularities such as bonding defects or insufficient root weldings can occur. In the context of this article, a controlling system for a two-dimensional magnetic arc deflection is presented, which allows to influence arc position as well as material transfer. The analysed GMAW hot wire process is characterised by high melting rates while also realising a sufficient penetration depth and wetting behaviour.