The importance of welding in a metal fabrication shop
Two of the most important considerations to produce a quality weld are compatible amperage and duty cycles. If these two systems are scaled properly to each other, it can prevent potential problems like poor arc performance or wire feeding issues that can occur when piercing together equipment that is not actually designed for compatibility. The welding system should also be designed with components that work together in order to provide synergic control benefits. For example, a wire feeder that is used for the welding process must match with the power source. If the welding operator uses a set of cables that are too small or undersized for the application, the weld cables may end up overheating or causing a voltage drop in the metal fabrication shop. It can also impact on arc performance particularly when Pulse MIG welding is being used. When components are matched, it makes troubleshooting easier and more efficient because the problem can easily be pinpointed.
Welding systems in a metal fabrication shop
MIG welding – is often used for rationalized welding of unalloyed and low alloy structural steels as well as for aluminum alloys and high quality structural steel. MIG welding makes use of the pulsed arc technique which is controlled material transfer. In its ground current phase, energy supply is reduced to an extent so that the arc is only just stable and the surface of the workpiece is pre-heated. The main current phase makes use of a precise current pulse for targeted droplet detachment. Regardless of the arc, MIG welding offers more advantages than other welding techniques in a metal fabrication shop. Its advantages include good deposition rates, deeper fusion penetration, simple handling and total mechanization in addition to high productivity rates.
TIG welding – has slower welding speed and lower deposition rate but it guarantees the best quality results. The core of the TIG welding torch is a non-consumable and temperature-resistant tungsten electrode. TIG welding is used mainly for stainless steels, aluminum and nickel alloys because its concentrated and stable arc creates a high quality weld with an even seam without spatter or slag. However, TIG welding is not an economical process but it is the best option for high volume production.
Time and twin welding – is high performance welding used in machine construction, steel engineering, crane construction, ship building, boiler manufacture and vehicle manufacture. Materials used for these applications include unalloyed steels, low-alloy steels, unalloyed structural steels, fine-grained structural steels and steels that are resistant to low temperature. This welding process is suitable for all sheet thicknesses which are proof of its flexibility and high performance.