The new cooperation with the Institute of Materials Science, Joining and Forming Technology was officially presented at a specialist event. Existing partnerships, for example with the Institutes of Railway and Transport Engineering and Railway Infrastructure Design, will thus be supplemented by a further innovative area.
A good welding result depends on the optimum current-voltage characteristic of the welding machine. Various input variables determine where this optimum lies. The project focuses on the development of intelligent systems that are able to automatically analyze input variables such as base material, filler materials, shielding gases or welding method and adjust the welding parameters in real time. The aim is to replace the previously manual corrections with machine-learning-supported automation – for consistently high quality and maximum process reliability.
After the opening by TU Graz Rector Dr. Horst Bischof and welcoming speeches by Provincial Councillor Willibald Ehrenhöfer, City Councillor Dr. Günter Riegler, Dean Dr. Franz Haas and Dr. Franz Kainersdorfer, Member of the Management Board of voestalpine AG and Head of the Metal Engineering Division, experts from politics, industry and science discussed the influence of artificial intelligence on efficiency and quality in welding. A panel discussion with industry representatives provided space for intensive exchange.
The machine learning model analyzes them, provides dependencies and ultimately a suggestion for the welding task. In order to obtain the real data required to train the machine learning model, the basic welding laboratory at Graz University of Technology is being further developed and voestalpine Böhler Welding in Kapfenberg is generating large-scale data on its own technological test line based on the preliminary work carried out in the laboratory. The project is scheduled to run for around eight years. The first research steps are already being carried out as part of a dissertation.
In research and development, we think outside the box and are always open to new approaches and perspectives. We see this not only as an opportunity to develop highly innovative, meaningful products, but also as a chance to strengthen our employees in their individual professional development. Andrea M. and Sebastian L. provide insights into their exciting development work for “healthier” welding rods. More information on this in the article Low fume wires for safe welding.
Die voestalpine ist ein weltweit führender Stahl- und Technologiekonzern mit kombinierter Werkstoff- und Verarbeitungskompetenz. Die global tätige Unternehmensgruppe verfügt über rund 500 Konzerngesellschaften und -standorte in mehr als 50 Ländern auf allen fünf Kontinenten. Sie notiert seit 1995 an der Wiener Börse. Mit ihren Premium-Produkt- und Systemlösungen zählt sie zu den führenden Partnern der Automobil- und Hausgeräteindustrie sowie der Luftfahrt- und Öl- & Gasindustrie und ist darüber hinaus Weltmarktführer bei Bahninfrastruktursystemen, bei Werkzeugstahl und Spezialprofilen. Die voestalpine bekennt sich zu den globalen Klimazielen und verfolgt mit greentec steel einen klaren Plan zur Dekarbonisierung der Stahlproduktion.
