What is sheet metal welding?
Welding is the process of joining together two pieces of metal by applying extreme heat which melts one or both pieces, causing fusion between the two. Welding can be further broken down into different techniques, depending on the requirements and application of the product.
What is MIG Welding?
MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding is a welding process whereby a consumable wire electrode is continuously fed through a welding gun and an electric arc is formed between the wire and the metal workpiece. This high temperature arc causes the metal to melt and fuse.
Around this electrode, a gas is applied to shield the weld area and remove any air, helping the weld to fuse. MIG welding can be used on almost any metal and has the advantage of being fast and cost efficient. However, MIG welding does not always produce the highest quality finish.
An example of MIG welding of a vehicle tread plate:
What is TIG Welding?
TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding is the process of using a non-consumable Tungsten electrode to deliver a current to the welding arc. This current causes extreme heat which melts and fuses the metal workpiece(s). The Tungsten electrode and weld area are shielded from air by a flow of inert gas (usually Argon) This helps the weld to fuse.
The major difference between MIG & TIG welding is that the electrode used in TIG welding is non-consumable, whereas in MIG welding, it is continuously used up in the process.
What is Spot Welding?
Spot welding (sometimes referred to as resistance welding) is the process of joining two metal workpieces by creating heat through resistance from an electric current applied between two electrodes.
What is projection welding?
Projection welding uses the same process as spot welding whereby two electrodes create resistance and generate heat. However, in projection welding, the electrodes are flat and the weld area is localised by projections (raised areas) in the workpiece. These areas become the focus of the current and therefore heart, meaning that the workpieces then join at these areas.
An example of projection weld machine applying weld nuts:
What is robotic welding?
Robotic welding is the process of using a CNC robotic arm and automated workpiece manipulator to weld large or unwieldy parts quickly and accurately. A robotic welder is capable of repeat welding large volumes of parts with no loss of quality.
At Alpha Manufacturing, we operate a Yaskawa robotic welding cell which uses cold metal transfer technology to weld parts. Cold metal transfer welding is similar to MIG welding in that it uses an electrode to create a weld current between the arc and workpiece.
Where cold metal technology differs is from MIG is that it repeatedly and rapidly retracts the current, which in turn reduces the heat in the weld area. This creates a “drop by drop” deposit of weld material.
If you have a question regarding welding or any other sheet metal processes, please get in touch
