The Power station boilers employ a large number of small-diameter pipes

and the connections between steel pipes mainly utilize mechanical type hot wire TIG welding. Apart from automatic welding after arc initiation

all other processes require manual completion by welders

including material loading

weld pairing

internal argon gas feeding

pipe port cleaning

and welding parameter fine-tuning

leading to high labor intensity for welders

poor operating environments

unstable weld quality

and high skill requirements for welders. A new intelligent assembly and welding production line for small-diameter pipes based on hot wire TIG welding is proposed. Under the control of PLC and supervisory computers

this production line can achieve full process automation

including automatic material loading

automatic internal argon gas feeding

automatic weld pairing

automatic arc initiation welding

and automatic labeling. Operators do not need to intervene in the welding process

and except for replacing the tungsten electrode and welding wire

all other tasks can be remotely monitored. The working environment is comfortable

labor intensity is low

and after safety and operation training on the equipment

welders can start working. The production line is suitable for small-diameter pipes of various materials

including carbon steel

heat-resistant steel

and stainless steel. The production line has been successfully put into operation

with a high qualification rate for radiographic RT inspection of the welds

attractive appearance of the weld surface formation

and stable and reliable quality.