Metal is a vital piece in the creation and production of new materials. It is also used as a strong foundation for most buildings and other infrastructures. Metallurgy or the study of metals allows the discovery of how to efficiently work with metals, and how to use the process in the creation of the strongest materials.
Welding is the process in which metals can be fused together to create something new. It is an important process that is a part of every construction activity. It is also considered a core activity in manufacturing businesses.
The welding process can only be done by skilled workers adhering to the welding quality management and standards. Each welder is under the strict supervision of a welding coordinator which manages the activity of all the welder in the construction site, coordinating with each other about the task at hand.
Due to the complicated details of each welding process, there are schools established for the purpose of training people who want to get into the business of metal working.
There are different methods used in welding and several factors taken into consideration when choosing the right process for the task. You have to know the objective of the work to discern which type of process to use.
Different Welding Procedure:
There are different methods used in welding; this depends on the kind of job at hand. People who studied in schools for formal training in welding should master every skill and procedure to graduate, but those who didn’t have formal training based their skills on the process often used in their experiences as a welder.
These are the common welding procedure used;
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG) – the MIG refers to metal, inert, and gas. This is the most commonly used welding process in the industrial area. This procedure joined metals together by using a shielding gas with wire electrode. This technique needs the same constant level of voltage and power source that is direct to avoid intermittent issues.
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) – or also known as TIG for Tungsten, Inert, and Gas. This method is an arc welding that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld.
This is more commonly used in joining thick and heavy metals mostly stainless or non-corrosive. Due to the thickness and heaviness of the metals it fused together, this welding method is more complicated, tedious and time consuming compared to other processes.
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAC) – this process is the most basic form of welding.The welder uses a standard type of stick welding that uses an electric current to create an arc between the metals and the stick that will be fused together. It is also known as electric welding or stick welding. This method is often used in steel structures construction and manufacturing fabrication that welds iron and steel.
Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) – This process of welding is an alternative to SMAC. Although it has the same method as SMAC, this has a semi-automatic arc weld mostly used in manufacturing and construction projects. It is also more portable and has an amazing welding speed compare to SMAC.
Oxy-Fuel Welding –or also known as oxyacetylene welding. The process got its name from the items it uses to cut and weld metals, which is oxygen and fuel gasses. Instead of the typical air, it uses pure oxygen in increasing the flame temperature resulting to a localized melting in an environment.
This process is also one of the oldest methods of welding, and this is barely used now in any construction sites. This is because the weld output is inconsistent and may present uneven quality of outputs.
Although not completely obsolete, this method is still used as an alternative if a situation, such as loss or low electricity, arises. Some welders use this for art-related purposes and cultural factors.
Tips to Maximize Construction Weld Quality
Metals are considered high commodity in the industrial world. It is the most common material used in building a secure infrastructure. Conservation of it is highly prioritized in any manufacturing or construction industry. Welding is a process involved the most in metal working so this is strictly supervised to maximize the uses of the materials.
Here are some of the tips in maximizing the uses and producing a quality weld outputs:
Check your welding machine for any minor problems or immediate repair. Regular maintenance of your tools can make it last longer. If left unchecked, you might not see some minor problems emerging that might cause ineffective weld outputs or wasted metal works due to faulty welding tools.
TIG welder is the most commonly used welding tool. This tool needs a regular check up and maintenance among others. If it starts to create poor quality welds, consider getting a new one. If you’re trying to use the old, faulty welder to save money, you’ll be surprised on how much you’ll save if you decided to get rid of the old one.
The welder should be well-skilled when handling a welding process. He/she should know the correct way of handling the welding tool. Paying close attention to the correct voltage and amperage is also a must.
Be wary that some mechanical properties need a specific amount of power to reach a quality output; one wrong tool management may result in poor quality output or a need to redo it causing time and money.
- Storage and use of filler materials should be well-observed. A welding code can help in the proper storage of each welding tools for specific purpose. Improper storage may result in the performance of a welding tool that might cause problems in the output.
One example is if you’re using a tool that is powered by low-hydrogen electrodes, you can’t just leave it hanging around as its rods are hydroscopic and tend to suck all the humidity around it, which results in increased hydrogen levels. The increased in hydrogen levels can cause the welds to crack.
That’s why adherence to a welding code is given topmost priority for the maintenance and correct usage of each welding tool.
- Choose the right welding tool for a particular task. Using a tool not made for a certain process can make the outputs low in quality or a failure.
For example, you can’t use a TIG process welding tools if you are working with thin or small metals. There’s a tendency that you burn up the metals you are sticking.
Know your task first and select the best tool for the project.
- Invest in newer technology, if you’re using an old model welding tool, consider switching to a newer one for they can produce better quality welds than the old ones. The older model can also have some obsolete issues when it comes to parts replacement making repair more difficult and expensive.
Welding tools in a newer technology are more improved and strongly enhanced for ease of use. Allot time in checking out the tech trends for an idea, what are the new trends when it comes to the construction industry.
It is important to always keep in touch with what’s new in the construction industry, this will give you a clear understanding of how to use this new trend in maximizing your tools and creating much better quality outputs to whatever objective or task at hand.
This is a guest post from Beth Grimmes. "Hello, I’m Beth and I love welding. I share my insights of different welding equipments and technique at Top Welders."