Electrodynamics of Magnetic Pulse Welding Machines: Global and Local Electrical Analogues

Abstract

In this paper, a theoretical, experimental and numerical study of MPW machines is carried out. While it is known that such machines are very complex by nature because of the coupling between different parts, we used simple electrical analogues to describe its dynamics. A RLC circuit modeling the whole machine is depicted and experimental results are shown. A further study including numerical simulations allows to compute the current distribution and estimate the magnetic field within the coil but also the magnetic pressure generated in the process, all using a 2D model and reasonable assumptions. A late theoretical study opens the way for innovative experimental measurements regarding the kinetics of the deformations of metallic tubes, but also their mechanical behavior before the welding process, making use of their capacitive properties.