BEAM PROBING

Beam probing enables the characteristics of the electron beam to be confirmed prior to welding and is a very useful weld diagnostic tool. A Faraday cup is used to measure the energy distribution of the beam in situ within the chamber as a QA method prior to welding. The proven equipment developed by TWI is easy to use and robust.

Beam energy distribution in 3-D

Weld quality diagnostics

Whilst welding test pieces can confirm good beam quality the process is time consuming and the results, if not acceptable, are difficult to interpret. Small changes in the set-up of the machine can produce changes in the beam profile and result in erratic or inconsistent welding performance. Measurement and control of the beam energy distribution can be as important as control of the main parameters such as the accelerating voltage, beam current, welding speed etc.

Beam energy distribution used for weld quality diagnostics