Fast Fourier Transform Analysis of Welding Penetration Depth Using 2 kW CW Nd:YAG Laser Welding Machine

We report experimental results on the correlations between welding penetration depth and the frequencies of the radiation from the welding pool. Various welding samples such as SUS304, brass, SUS316, etc. have been investigated with 2 kW CW Nd:YAG laser welding machine. The radiation signals from the plume generated by the interactions between the welding sample and laser with respect to the defocusing length was measured with fiber system collecting the plume signal. Analysis of the frequencies by using fast Fourier transform (FFT) shows that the penetration depth is deep as plume signal frequencies are low, shallow penetration depth for high frequencies. Frequencies up to 250 Hz for obtained signals can be analyzed with the discrete FFT. This is the useful method fur closed loop control of the laser power with respect to the welding penetration depth and is used for real time inspection of the welding quality.