The high-frequency electric resistance welding (HF-ERW) process is widely used in the steel pipes production because it can weld at a high speed, has excellent weldability, and attains clean and precise shapes. However, for process improvement, analytic studies on electromagnetic field and temperature distributions, and selection of appropriate process variables are required. In this study, finite element analysis models that can analyze the electromagnetic field distribution and temperature distribution in the HF-ERW of a steel pipe were proposed, in consideration of the characteristics of the process, including electromagnetic phenomena localized to the workpiece surface and fast welding speed. By applying the proposed analysis models, changes in current density, magnetic flux density, generated heat density, and fused width in the pipe could be predicted according to changes in process variables such as the V angle of the strip, the electrode position, and the source voltage. Through comparison with the analysis and the limited-case experiment, the analysis result predicted the actual fused width fairly well, and the validity of the proposed model could be verified.

The purpose of this study is to propose a better contact surface pattern of a heat radiating block in a progressive GMP (Glass Molding Process) heating assembly. In this study, a simulation model based on FEM was developed to perform a thermal analysis for the heating assembly. It was verified by comparing experimental results. The temperature distribution on the heating block surface and heating energy consumption was analyzed with the change of contact surface pattern and area of a heat radiating block. The considered pattern on the contact surface was cross (+) and straight (-) shape. The contact area ratio was changed from 16 to 100%. The simulation results show that the heating energy consumption increased to reach a target temperature with the increase of contact area ratio. The straight-shaped patterns on a heat radiating block presented more uniform temperature distribution on the mold heating surface than the cross shaped surface, whereas it resulted in a slightly higher energy consumption of up to 9%. This study shows that the contact surface pattern on a heat dissipating block can control the temperature distribution on the mold heating surface.