Numerical Simulation and Test Study on Track Welding of QTT

Considering the stringent requirement of the pointing accuracy up to 2.5″ of the world’s largest full steerable radio telescope, this paper studies the welding experiment of the azimuth track of the antenna. First, the opposite deformation jig and welding process were designed for the QTT’s azimuth track. Then, the welding process was numerically simulated using a finite element model. The simulation results show that a better welding effect will be obtained by appropriately reducing the opposite force on the basis of the original. The three deformation processes of the track are regulated by the opposite deformation jig. The results show that the opposite deformation jig designed for QTT’s azimuth track can make the amount of deformation and flatness meet the design requirements. Finally, nondestructive testing was carried out to check the welding quality of the track surface and interior. The results show that there are no obvious defects in the welds of the azimuth track. The constraint jig and welding processes designed for QTT are effective and feasible.