Quality 4.0 and Welding In Digital Era

Abstract

Today, the time has come, when we are totally tied with digital world and our lifestyle is mostly dependent on it, and Quality is no exception. Over the last 50 years, welding technology has undergone a phenomenal change because of efforts made in global exchange of information and research. Quality Management in welding also changing from its conventional method to Quality 4.0. During last 100 years or so. Quality has changed from Inspection concept to today's smart manufacturing. Quality 4.0 is referenced the future of quality and organisational excellence within the context of Industry 4.0, hence emphasized on digitisation and machine learning etc., where Artificial Intelligence has a major and vital role. The innovation of Industry 4.0 revolves around the cyber physical systems, creating the smart factories, where modern technologies are used in smart production, smart services, and smart energy. The final arbiter of weld quality is no longer just the eye of the welder or weld engineer overseeing the process. We can have total digital control over welding, and it can be controlled from anywhere through software, sitting far away from the actual workplace. We can now be able to produce top quality products, controlling every hold points properly through digital aids. The data feedbacl< assures that the weld conforms to the established WPS. In this Quality 4.0, Inspection and Quality Control to be done mainly through automated visual inspection system, in process gauges and Artificial Intelligence based evaluation. Remote inspection also will be very much helpful to avoid in person contacts..