A Surrogate Model for Welding Distortions and its Experimental Validation

Abstract Similar to springback in sheet metal forming, shape deviation due to welding in part assembly needs to be monitored and controlled. A surrogate model for welding distortion is implemented in AutoForm’s assembly finite element solver and is validated with help of hat shape laboratory scale welding experiments. The practical applicability of the approach is demonstrated with an automotive door sill that has 84 short laser line welds with a total length of more than 2100 mm.