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Arc Welding Article List
Arc welding related articles
There are 161 articles related to arc welding.
Fewer skilled welders combined with an ever-increasing range of welding applications have created a demand for more precise, application-specific welding systems. Equipment suppliers now are tailoring systems for different applications, and fabricators are embracing the new technology.
By: Nick Peterson, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 11/24/09
Did you hear the one about the welder who was tired of bending over to weld and made the fatal mistake of using a 55-gallon drum as a welding table? In this article, welding instructor Marty Rice discusses this mistake and describes some common technical mistakes new welders make, some more serious ...
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 11/24/09
Suitable for welding various materials and plate thicknesses, submerged arc welding is considered an economical, efficient process. Yet, in the search for fine tuning this process, obvious solutions have been ignored in favor of exotic and expensive welding heads and power sources. Applying sound ex...
By: Elia E. Levi and Naddir M. Patel, Contributing Writers - www.thefabricator.com, 11/10/09
Working on a project at the world’s largest nuclear waste treatment plant, Bechtel National found that it could simplify the operation, enhance weld quality, and promote safety by using inverter technology.
By: Neal Borchert, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 9/29/09
All welders are newbies at some time in their careers. Following Marty Rice’s advice for newbies can help you with more than your welding career. Learn from the man who’s been there, done that, and has the scars to prove it.
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 9/29/09
Stud welding, an often-overlooked process, can have a significant effect on the life-cycle cost of a product.
By: Chris Hsu, Doug Phillips, and Terry Sterling - The FABRICATOR®, 9/15/09
Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) is the most common form of arc welding. However, creating a good weld is not always easy, especially for a beginner. Following a few simple tips as well as learning the common weld defect and how to fix them will have you on your way to laying quality SMAW welds.
By: Harry Sadler - www.thefabricator.com, 9/15/09
Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW or TIG), a popular process for high-quality manual welding, has its limitations and requires highly skilled operators. A process used in Europe addresses those limitations, enhances productivity and weld quality, and reduces the skill level required to GTAW.
By: Ed Craig, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 9/15/09
Gas tungsten arc welding is easier than ever
to automate. At the same time, robotic GMAW
technology now can produce welds that are
close to GTAW quality
The FABRICATOR®, 9/6/09
Stud welding, an often-overlooked process, can have a significant
effect on the life-cycle cost of a product.
By: Chris Hsu - The FABRICATOR®, 9/1/09
...
The FABRICATOR®, 9/1/09
Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) is the most
common form of arc welding. However, creating
a good weld is not always easy, especially
for a beginner. Following a few simple tips
as well as learning the common weld defect
and how to fix them will have you on your way
to laying quality SMAW w...
www.thefabricator.com, 9/1/09
...
By: Todd Bridigum - The FABRICATOR®, 8/17/09
A beginning stick welder can produce better welds by paying
attention to the five basic elements to establish a good, consistent
technique: current setting, length of the arc, angle of electrode,
manipulation of electrode, and speed of travel.
By: Brad Hemmert - The FABRICATOR®, 8/1/09
The welding industry is known for a persistent shortage of skilled workers, and the energy sector is no exception; meanwhile, offshore welding is getting more rigorous. The easiest-to-find oil sources were discovered long ago; with each passing year, energy companies go into harsher environments (de...
The FABRICATOR®, 7/28/09
Welding jobs may not be as plentiful as they once were, but welding instructor Marty Rice believes a lot of welding work is “waiting to bust loose once the economy straightens out, and there’s always work in welding, if you’re willing to pack a suitcase.” Rice has some advice for those embarking on ...
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - The FABRICATOR®, 7/28/09
Welder/fabricator Bernie Bisnette takes the corroded, worn-down,
and skeletal remains of trolley cars and restores them to their original
appearance for the Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport, Maine.
By: Amanda Carlson - www.thefabricator.com, 7/27/09
...
By: Brad Hemmert - www.thefabricator.com, 7/1/09
With instruction, some mild steel, the right welding rods, and a cracker box, the hobbyist can begin stick welding, also known as shielded metal arc welding (SMAW). Novice welders can learn more about the process by reading this article and by visiting the links shown at the end.
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 5/26/09
Stinger Welding Inc. has only been around for 12 years but quickly
has established itself as a premier fabricator of bridges and bridge
components in the southwestern U.S. Two years ago a project
involving an Oakland, Calif., bridge sent the company into the
spotlight for its efforts in fabricat...
www.thefabricator.com, 5/15/09
robotic welding, arc welding, gas metal arc welding, automated welding, welding cells, robotic welding cells, fume collection, aluminum welding, high-tensile-strength steel, low volume welding,weld fixturing, robotic weld fixturing
www.thefabricator.com, 5/1/09
Vision technology adds flexibility and intelligence to the robotic welding cell.
By: Terry Tupper - The FABRICATOR®, 4/14/09
Stinger Welding Inc. has only been around for 12 years but quickly has established itself as a premier fabricator of bridges and bridge components in the southwestern U.S. Two years ago a project involving an Oakland, Calif., bridge sent the company into the spotlight for its efforts in fabricat...
By: Kate Eidam - www.thefabricator.com, 4/1/09
...
By: Craig Spindler - www.thefabricator.com, 4/1/09
Performing GTAW on anodized aluminum poses a unique set of challenges, even to the most experienced welder. To address these challenges, welders must be aware of the special equipment and consumables required, properly prepare materials, and employ the correct technique to lay the bead.
By: Jack Fulcer - www.thefabricator.com, 3/24/09
A recent study analyzed wire feed practices, tested variables, and took initial steps at developing a scientific knowledge base that ultimately could take the trial and error out of wire feed setup.
By: Viwek Vaidya and Ed Cooper - The FABRICATOR®, 3/24/09
Getting comfortable and attaining a clear view of the arc can make gas metal arc welding a lot easier.
By: Todd Bridigum - The FABRICATOR®, 3/24/09
Be True To Your School winner Lebanon Technology & Career Center gets visit from 17-year-old welding and racing phenom Brennan Palmiter.
By: Amanda Carlson, Associate Editor - www.thefabricator.com, 3/14/09
Hybrid laser-arc welding has been around for a while, but only recently has it gained steam, with more industries turning to the technology for a faster way to make components lighter with less heat input and minimal distortion while still maintaining part tolerance.
By: Amanda Carlson, Associate Editor - www.thefabricator.com, 3/10/09
During World War II, many females filled work force roles in traditionally male occupations. After the war, most left these jobs, but that doesn’t mean women are any less able to fill them. Experience has taught welding instructor Marty Rice that females make danged good welders.
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 3/10/09
Don’t let GMAW wire feed tie you into knots. Familiarize yourself with how to identify wire feedability issues and how to fix them to ensure that you get optimal weld strength and appearance.
By: Kyle Stuart - www.thefabricator.com, 1/13/09
Tom Young has lived an unconventional life full of opportunities that happened because he could do what others could not: He could weld.
By: Tim Heston, Senior Editor - The FABRICATOR®, 12/16/08
Pulsed gas metal arc welding helps AmeriFab Inc., a maker of steelmaking furnaces and related equipment, streamline its welding operations.
The FABRICATOR®, 12/14/08
A fabricator of dump truck bodies reduced spatter, improved deposition, and increased productivity when it incorporated in new inverter power sources and weld monitoring software.
www.thefabricator.com, 11/25/08
Among the skills employers look for in their welders is the ability to read a tape measure correctly. Surprisingly, not everyone can do so. Welding instructor Marty Rice shares an anecdote from his welding career that illustrates how critical it is for welders to master this skill.
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 11/25/08
Proper installation of GTAW torches—whether air- or water-cooled—is just one bullet on a long list of reasons that GTAW is so complex. The best way to simplify torch installation is to become familiar with the components and how to assemble them properly.
By: Jack Fulcer - www.thefabricator.com, 11/11/08
Understanding common gas tungsten arc weld (GTAW) joints, knowing when to use them, and mastering the proper method for each can help you achieve better welds. This article focuses on butt, corner, and T joints and discusses considerations such as material type and thickness.
By: Jack Fulcer, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 11/11/08
Bad welds can be traced back to poor workmanship, poor design, or a little of both.
By: Carl Smith - The FABRICATOR®, 10/28/08
Although titanium has a reputation for being difficult to weld, it doesn’t have to be problematic. Paying close attention to filler metal selection, cleanness, and use of the shielding gas are three steps to successful GTAW on titanium tube and pipe.
By: Jack Fulcer - www.thefabricator.com, 10/28/08
Ultrasonic metal welding, around since the 1950s, has proven itself useful in a variety of industries where joining applications involve thermally conductive materials. While the process does have its disadvantages—joint configurations, thickness limitations, and difficulty welding high-strength mat...
By: Karl Graff and Matt Bloss - The FABRICATOR®, 9/30/08
Four of 1,000 welders lose their lives each year, and many more are seriously injured because they fail to follow safe welding practices. Welding hobbyists who follow the examples set on television are particularly susceptible to injury. In this article, Marty Rice reflects on moments in his welding...
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 9/30/08
Communicating the right welding position is vital for any welding application. Otherwise, a welder might find himself welding in positions for which he is not qualified--and that's not a good thing.
By: Walter Sperko, P.E. - The FABRICATOR®, 8/26/08
Gas tungsten arc welding thin metals can bring up an array of problems. Fortunately, best practices can prevent those problems from occurring in the first place.
By: Jack Fulcer - The FABRICATOR®, 8/26/08
A Florida company specializing in underwater inspection, maintenance, and repair of deep sea vessels needs reliable, safe, and portable equipment to ensure that the job can be done anywhere in the world.
www.thefabricator.com, 7/29/08
"Welder wanted” signs abound in many areas of the U.S., and welding instructor Marty Rice believes there’s never been a better time to pursue a welding career. How do you make your welding career the best it can be? Following certain guidelines can help.
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 7/29/08
...
By: Steven Rainwater, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 7/29/08
When welding a chromium-molybdenum alloy, selecting the optimal filler wire is critical to the long-term durability of the weld. Fortunately, matching the filler metal to the alloy is no more difficult than it is for matching a filler metal to any other family of alloys. Understanding the chemical a...
By: Keith Packard and Bruce Morrett - The FABRICATOR®, 6/17/08
Being able to quickly and accurately identify the source of GMAW consumable problems will save you both money and frustration.
By: Bill Giese - The FABRICATOR®, 6/17/08
When MIG welding, are you experiencing an erratic, sputtering arc; a gradual need to increase voltage at the power source; discoloration of copper cable strands or the liner; increased contact tip burnbacks; or inconsistent weld appearance? If so, your problem could be poor conductivity caused by el...
By: Bill Giese, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 6/17/08
In his extensive career as a welder and welding instructor, Marty Rice has learned a thing or two about the qualities companies look for in their employees beyond skill proficiency. This anecdotal article discusses these qualities and their importance from Rice’s perspective.
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 5/13/08
AWS predicts that by 2010, the demand for skilled welders will outstrip supply by 200,000. One means of addressing the shortage is through automated systems, such as automatic orbital GTAW units, which have gained favor in a variety of industries. But that does not diminish the requirement for an ed...
By: Ernest A. Benway - www.thefabricator.com, 5/13/08
Brennan Palmiter may look like an ordinary teenager, but behind the youthful grin is an incredibly driven16-year-old who has his sights set on a career in racing and welding.
By: Amanda Carlson, Associate Editor - www.thefabricator.com, 5/13/08
A new grant program promotes education for the welding technician. The program focuses more on welding theory behind the various processes--and less on hands-on training.
By: Tim Heston, Senior Editor - The FABRICATOR®, 4/15/08
Many fabrication shops that do a lot of stainless steel tube and pipe welding are in a bit of trouble these days. The problem isn’t a lack of work, of course—it’s a matter of trying to handle too much work with too few resources (skilled welders). They can ask their fabricators to work harder or fas...
By: Jim Cuhel - www.thefabricator.com, 4/15/08
Today several companies offer technologies that help beginning welders get that hand motion just right. None claims that the technology will replace the real thing, of course, but they do say that training in the virtual world can give students a significant leg up by the time they weld for the firs...
By: Tim Heston, Senior Editor - The FABRICATOR®, 3/11/08
A new resource tool takes away the guesswork and the apprehension when welding titanium: The American Welding Society (AWS) D1.9/D1.9M Structural Welding Code—Titanium. Released in July 2007, the code goes beyond the limitations of previous documents by providing the information required to engineer...
By: Stephen Luckowski and John Lawmon - The FABRICATOR®, 3/11/08
Welding workpieces with circular components can leave welders spinning, literally. By keeping three considerations in mind, welders can stop spinning and start welding.
By: Amanda Carlson, Associate Editor - www.thefabricator.com, 3/11/08
Two community college weld instructors and a student collaborated to create a welded metal art sculpture for a silent auction benefiting the college’s foundation.
By: Amanda Carlson, Associate Editor - The FABRICATOR®, 3/11/08
Think you want to learn TIG welding, also known as GTAW? To master the craft and avoid injury, it’s imperative that you receive proper instruction. TIG is not a process that lends itself to self-teaching. This overview compares TIG with other welding processes and outlines some important steps of th...
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 3/11/08
Who can inspire a young person to pursue a welding career better than a peer who welds? How about a peer who also is a stock car driver? Racer and welder Brennan Palmiter has teamed up with the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA) Foundation and Practical Welding Today® magazine to introduc...
By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager - The FABRICATOR®, 2/26/08
Lean manufacturing drove equipment manufacturer Vermeer Corp. to organize weld cells for maximum productivity. In each cell, fixtures are placed within the welder's reach, and equipment is placed for optimal ergonomics.
By: Tim Heston, Senior Editor - The FABRICATOR®, 2/12/08
Are you producing quality weld beads? If not, perhaps your parameters need tweaking. This article presents guidelines that can help you identify which parameters to adjust and how to adjust them. It also offers a good buddy-system tip for achieving correct settings.
By: Jon Ertmer, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 2/12/08
Welding around any kind of circular piece can be a challenge. To make a fillet weld in the horizontal position, you will have to maneuver around the workbench, maintaining a constant arc if you wish to make a continuous weld. This type of work may be acceptable if you need only a few pieces, but can...
By: Keith Honhart - The FABRICATOR®, 1/29/08
Stick welding on vertical surfaces is an important and in-demand skill. Luckily, a few tips can help make a welder a much more valuable resource in the fabricating shop.
By: Bill West - The FABRICATOR®, 1/15/08
Arming yourself with basic information about flux-cored wires can help you decide if these consumables are right for your welding application. Available in gas-shielded and self-shielded, flux-cored wires require less skill to use than other filler metals and commonly are used for general fabricatio...
By: Keith Packard, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 1/15/08
More knowledge about adjustable-output frequency has played a significant role in the development of new technologies that have made GTAW applications more reliable and adaptable.
By: John Luck - www.thefabricator.com, 1/15/08
Two years ago, welding expert and reader-favorite author Marty Rice took a hiatus from writing for thefabricator.com. Marty has returned, and in this, his first article for 2008, he discusses why he welds and offers insights that may help others decide if welding is a viable career choice.
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 1/15/08
...
By: Jeff Heagey - www.thefabricator.com, 1/15/08
Shafts are critical components of many machines, and a damaged shaft can hamper or halt production. Some failed shafts can be repaired and others can’t. This article can help you determine which can be repaired and what to consider when attempting repairs.
By: Elia Levi, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 1/15/08
More difficult to learn than some welding processes, gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) can be used to weld a greater range of materials than most other processes. This article explains GTAW, examines its advantages and disadvantages, describes appropriate and inappropriate applications, and discusses...
By: Jack Fulcer, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 11/6/07
A manufacturer and installer of steel docks in Ontario, Canada, purchased new welding equipment that gave the company increased reliability in adverse weather conditions.
The FABRICATOR®, 11/6/07
The success of a racecar depends heavily on the quality of its welds. The welding team for Penske Racing’s NASCAR® automobiles must stay on top of their game to ensure that their vehicle is not only fast but safe. This article provides a brief look at Penske Racing and describes how its welders push...
www.thefabricator.com, 11/6/07
Toolweld Inc., a microwelding shop run by a father/son duo, faces the challenges of providing quality welds while working against the clock. The shop utilizes both micro-GTAW and laser equipment to meet the demands of a variety of customers.
By: Amanda Carlson, Associate Editor - www.thefabricator.com, 11/6/07
Needing to provide a product line with standard, repeatable, and interchangeable components, American Water Technology, a manufacturer of water treatment systems, integrated stainless steel tubing and orbital welding.
www.thefabricator.com, 10/9/07
...
By: Paul Cameron - www.thefabricator.com, 9/11/07
Using an inappropriate gas mixture and consumables for a particular GMAW application can cause porosity and excessive spatter, factors that diminish weld quality. Which gases work best with which materials? Why is nozzle selection important? This article addresses these and other questions about GMA...
By: Bill Giese, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 8/22/07
By providing time-based waveform data on current, voltage, resistance, power, force, and displacement—as well as peak and RMS values—external weld monitors are able to provide the necessary data that can be used to understand, optimize, and benchmark the resistance welding process and verify accompa...
By: Geoff Shannon - The FABRICATOR®, 8/8/07
Welding can be a rewarding career. To be successful and satisfied in welding or any career requires planning, preparation, and pursuing a job you love. This article provides an overview of welding as a career, describes different opportunities, and lists resources that can help you to become a w...
By: Elia Levi, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 7/10/07
Becoming a skilled welder involves both hands-on and technical training from secondary and postsecondary instruction. Who should teach what and when to ensure that today's welders have the necessary skills? Longtime welder and welding professor Carl Smith shares his views.
By: Carl Smith, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 7/10/07
Bob Hollingsworth, a member of Practical Welding Today’s advisory board, details the journey of the 2006 Western Washington University Mini Baja vehicle fabrication team and their quest to build a winning off-road, student-designed racing machine.
By: Bob Hollingsworth - www.thefabricator.com, 7/10/07
Using SMAW can be just as complicated for the hobbyist as it is for the professional welder. Answering common questions about electrode classification, capability, and how each differs from one another can help ensure success.
By: Mike Crawford - www.thefabricator.com, 7/10/07
A Memphis, Tenn., custom fabricator completed the redesign of its welding operations by purchasing and integrating new welding equipment and software to help increase productivity and to diversify its capabilities.
www.thefabricator.com, 7/10/07
...
www.thefabricator.com, 7/10/07
As manufacturers strive for lower costs and greater efficiencies, they tend to substitute high-strength materials for standard materials. One such high-strength material is ASTM A514/514M-05. Although it is not difficult to weld, joining it successfully requires paying close attention to the preheat...
By: Dean C. Phillips, Contributing Writer - The FABRICATOR®, 6/12/07
The prices of materials consumed in your welding shop aren’t the only materials-related economic considerations. How you use those materials affects the bottom line. Monitoring compressed-gas usage and looking for areas of waste can improve your shop’s financial picture. This article offers practica...
By: Phil Evans, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 5/22/07
Metal-cored wire isn't suitable for all welding, but used in appropriate applications, the wire can help improve quality and reduce rework. Some industries best-suited to using metal-cored wire are automotive exhaust and chassis manufacturing, agricultural and heavy equipment manufacturing, and...
By: Steve Barhorst, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 5/8/07
A mechanical contractor that fabricates carbon steel water pipe addressed its need for welders, as well as a bottleneck situation originating at its welding station, by converting from shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) to gas metal arc welding (GMAW).
www.thefabricator.com, 5/8/07
I am building a 400-gallon paint tank and I'm having trouble with leaks when using gas metal arc welding (GMAW).
By: Paul Cameron - www.thefabricator.com, 5/8/07
Certain metal combinations cannot be joined successfully with fusion welding. Deciding how to join them requires examining options, including potential material substitutions and process possibilities. This article discusses these options and offers a blueprint for the best solution.
By: Elia Levi, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 4/10/07
Joining austenitic stainless steel with GTAW can be tricky, but with a little preparation and care, it can be done successfully. The three main factors are having the right amount of heat input, travel speed, and a shielding gas.
By: Mike Sammons - The FABRICATOR®, 4/10/07
A fabricator of large pressure vessels implements a welding power source to help it meet growing customer demand and ensure stringent quality standards without expanding its work force.
The FABRICATOR®, 2/13/07
...
By: Paul W. Cameron - www.thefabricator.com, 2/13/07
Depending on your application, various components of your shielding gas blend can help or hurt you. Find out what effects shielding gas has on your weld and what you can do to get the best results.
By: Garth Stapon and Kevin Lyttle, contributing writers - www.thefabricator.com, 1/9/07
Not every welder uses a gas lens on his or her GTAW torch, but gas lenses should be considered for a variety of applications and for several reasons. Knowing what a gas lens does, how to choose one, and how to install and take care of one are critical to getting the most benefits out of it
By: Mike Sammons - www.thefabricator.com, 1/9/07
Wrayco's progression from dedicated welding fixturing to modular fixturing has reduced storage space and maintenance, created faster setups for critical prototypes and quick-turn projects, and improved quality control.
The FABRICATOR®, 1/9/07
Plasma arc welding (PAW) is very similar to gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), but its highly concentrated arc makes it very different - and not necessarily the best process for every application. A close look at its characteristics and equipment will help you decide if it's right for your application...
By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer - The FABRICATOR®, 12/12/06
One form of hybrid welding combines both GMAW with a GTAW process in a welding torch. An electronic interface unit containing a plasma power supply controls the hybrid process. Research has indicated that such an approach to welding leads to faster welding times, deep penetration, and cleaner welds ...
By: Igor Dykhno and Raymond Davis - The FABRICATOR®, 11/7/06
Of all the fabrication tools necessary to build -- and repair -- race cars, welding equipment is one of the most essential. To keep a race car together, safe for drivers, and at its competitive best, welding and metallurgy come into play every day in the motorsports industry.
By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 11/7/06
This article, the last of a four-part series about establishing a portable GTAW business, covers helpful tips for working with stainless steel and aluminum, including weld prep and the proper welding techniques. It also offers advice about hiring help and purchasing liability insurance for your ...
By: Phil Evans, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 9/12/06
Many welders think of GMAW guns as just a commodity. However, all of the parts in a GMAW gun have a direct impact on the time it takes to make a weld and its quality.
By: Bill Giese - The FABRICATOR®, 9/12/06
Once you know some basic information about the equipment on the front of your GTAW torch, you can get the right parts for your application and start improving your welding performance.
By: Jennifer Simpson - www.thefabricator.com, 9/12/06
This article is part of a four-part series about establishing a portable GTAW business. It covers the dos and don'ts of business practices, safety, and welding, and includes tips that can help you retain customers and grow your business. Following these practical guidelines can help your business su...
By: Phil Evans, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 8/8/06
Thinking about starting your own portable GTAW business? This installment in a series about this topic focuses on the potential customer base and the welding repair needs of specific segments. It also offers pricing tips for various jobs.
By: Phil Evans, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 7/11/06
Welding discontinuities can affect product performance and longevity. Thoroughly understanding the various defects, their causes, severity, and remedies can help ensure high-quality and superior performance. This article presents an overview of welding defects and discusses design strategies to help...
By: Elia Levi, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 7/11/06
Starting a portable GTAW business takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but it also takes the basics of knowing how to start it. It's important to learn about what equipment you need, how to set it up, and how to evaluate your welding before you take your first job.
By: Phil Evans - www.thefabricator.com, 7/11/06
Volkswagen's automobile manufacturing facility in Saxony, Germany, was spending more time and effort on post-weld finishing operations than it wanted to, but because of the requirements the company was dedicated to meeting, not much automation was possible. Through its research, Volkswagen decided t...
The FABRICATOR®, 4/11/06
George Bright and David Anthony were two welders with the same goal: to upgrade their GTAW system. Learn about their experiences and gain some insight into what you need to know to upgrade from an air-cooled to a water-cooled GTAW system.
By: Jennifer Simpson - The FABRICATOR®, 3/7/06
Choosing one of the six commonly available tungsten electrodes is a crucial first step in successful gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). In addition, tip preparation is critical. The electrode choices are pure tungsten, 2 percent thoriated, 2 percent ceriated, 1.5 percent lanthanated, zirconiated, and ...
By: Mike Sammons - The FABRICATOR®, 3/7/06
At a time when it's becoming more and more difficult to find skilled workers, it's encouraging to read about people like 18-year-old Jessica Jelinski who are studying and pursuing careers in metalworking. Jelinski is putting her welding training to good use winning competitions and working on intere...
By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 3/7/06
Because a typical arc welding setup may consist of several electrical circuits, it's critical to apply and maintain proper grounding methods within the welding area to promote electrical safety in the workplace.
By: Frank Stupczy - www.thefabricator.com, 3/7/06
Jessica Jelinski takes pride in doing her best when it comes to welding -- that's what propelled her to win first place in the SkillsUSA Wisconsin state welding competition in 2005. Today she uses that work ethic to further her welding career and teach other young people about the trades.
www.thefabricator.com, 3/7/06
With the recent increases in gasoline and natural gas prices, more attention than ever is focused on alternative energy sources. One fabricator, Aerisyn LLC, investigated manufacturing towers for use in the wind power industry. To produce towers efficiently enough to compete against imports from Asi...
By: Sue DiBianca - The FABRICATOR®, 2/7/06
In his farewell article for thefabricator.com, reader-favorite author and welding instructor Marty Rice reflects on his life, his welding career, writing for the Web site, and his appreciation for the readers who have contacted him throughout the years. He also expresses his view about the decline o...
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 2/7/06
Two big tradeshows, Schweissen & Schneiden (Essen, Germany) and the FABTECH® International/AWS Welding Show (Chicago) highlighted several of the trends that have emerged in the welding industry during the last couple of years. Senior Editor Eric Lundin reviews many of the recent developments in arc ...
By: Eric Lundin, Editor, TPJ-The Tube & Pipe Journal® - The FABRICATOR®, 1/10/06
Torches, cables, and cooling are three integral components in gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) equipment, and two cooling methods – air and water – are used in their cooling systems. Although GMAW and GTAW are different processes, the advantages and disadvantages of w...
By: Mike Sammons and Bill Giese - The FABRICATOR®, 1/10/06
Welding instructor Marty Rice explains how welding power current works and how failing to follow safety practices can have shocking results. He also expands upon the information contained in "TIG welding—An overview" and discusses TIG qualities, applications, hazards, and the best way to learn T...
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 12/13/05
Woods Equipment Co. builds a variety of attachments and implements for agricultural, landscape, and construction vehicles. In a search to increase the productivity of its welding efforts amidst an ever-growing product line, the company discovered modular welding tables from Bluco Corp.
The FABRICATOR®, 11/8/05
Welding instructor Marty Rice explains the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process, more commonly known as tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding.
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 10/11/05
The increased use of coated steels has resulted in an intensified search for solutions to the problems posed by joining these materials. High levels of spatter and welding fume, weld porosity, and poor bead shape are common. These problems lead to increased post-weld cleaning costs, reduced quality,...
By: Kevin A. Lyttle, Contributing Writer - The FABRICATOR®, 9/13/05
For welding in the 1G position (in which the tube or pipe rotates), solid wire is traditional filler metal. However, metal-cored wire is making headway as an alternative. Metal-cored wire requires no land at the bevel, is more forgiving of welding dirty metal, produces less spatter, and allows trave...
By: Butch Weidner - www.thefabricator.com, 7/12/05
Gas-shielded flux cored arc welding (FCAW) is known for its high deposition rates and out-of-position welding capability in heavy manufacturing and fabrication applications. In an industry often averse to change, many companies consider their current FCAW practices and equipment as trustworthy famil...
By: Mike Vandenberg and Tim Hensley - The FABRICATOR®, 5/10/05
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By: Steve Purnell - www.thefabricator.com, 4/11/05
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By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 4/11/05
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By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 3/8/05
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By: Mike Sammons - The FABRICATOR®, 2/8/05
Plasma arc welding (PAW) uses plasma, a gas that has been heated to a high temperature and ionized. The plasma becomes electrically conductive, transferring an electric arc to the workpiece through a small orifice.
By: Jim Watson and Jennifer Simpson - www.thefabricator.com, 1/11/05
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By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 1/11/05
Whether it's used in the shop, field, or the garage hobby shop, MIG is a great process.
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 7/13/04
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By: Michael Francoeur, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 7/13/04
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By: David Hass, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 4/6/04
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By: Tex Ikeda and David Haynie, Contributing Writers - www.thefabricator.com, 12/11/03
The Jos. L. Meyer GmbH shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, built its first wooden sailing ship in 1795. Today the six-generation,
family-owned shipbuilding company designs and builds large metal cruise liners, gas tankers, and ferryboats. These floating behemoths can be as large as 162.5 by 975 feet (...
By: Ralf Müller and Stan Koczera, Contributing Writers - The FABRICATOR®, 11/20/03
This is a welding history synopsis, as seen by me. If you are a history or English professor, you might want to stop reading at this point; it ain’t gonna be pretty.
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 11/20/03
Mixing oxygen with fuel gases for brazing, cutting, heating, and welding metal has been around since the early 1900s. Oxyfuel processes have remained in use over the years despite the introduction of other metal fabrication processes, such as arc welding, plasma cutting, and laser materials processi...
By: David Bell, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 11/6/03
The metal fabrication industry has used compressed gases for more than one hundred years. Oxy-fuel cutting and welding have existed since the beginning of the 20th century. The more automatic welding processes, such as gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), began as early ...
By: David Bell, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 8/28/03
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By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 8/14/03
Businesses feel a constant pressure to gain an advantage and control their processes better. However, the decision to embrace new technology often leaves them feeling vulnerable. In the realm of hand-held metal cutting operations, one such decision is choosing between traditional technology and an i...
By: Brian Schmidt, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 7/24/03
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By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 5/15/03
Narrow-gap gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) frequently is used to weld regular and multilayer high-chromium steel for power generation boilers, stainless steel for nuclear power generation equipment, INCONEL® alloy and other high-alloy steels, and thick-wall stationary pipes.
By: Satoru Asai, Keishi Taki, and Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Contributing Writers - www.thefabricator.com, 4/10/03
I once worked for an ironworker general foreman named Wheeler. He was a great guy to work for because he was good with the men, and he knew his stuff. When he told you something was to be done, you knew there was a good reason for it, and that he had thought it out carefully. That's what it's all a...
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 3/13/03
Tool and die welding can be a very lucrative service for a fab shop. However, tool and die welders are about as rare as brain surgeons because of a general lack of knowledge about the process and because of the extra expense it brings to a shop. This article offers a basic understanding of what's ne...
By: Earl Durfee, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 11/17/02
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By: Paul Niskala, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 10/25/02
FCAW not only is easy to teach and to use, it's one of the most flexible welding processes around.
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 9/26/02
As in other facets of welding equipment technology, arc welding power sources are evolving as fabricators' needs change. Electronics is playing a large role in power source modernization as power source equipmentmakers begin to employ digital interfacing, Internet access, software control, and other...
By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 9/26/02
No matter how much you know about SMAW or any other type of welding, you always can learn more.
By: Marty Rice, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 8/8/02
Automakers are constantly trying to improve automotive designs, making vehicles lighter and stronger, using thinner materials, and redesigning points of strength for better crash resistance. At the same time, welding equipmentmakers who serve the industry are focusing on this quest for quality by de...
By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 7/25/02
This article is a case study that outlines how a California contractor retrofit existing buildings in southern California, using new construction codes to prevent further earthquake damage, while staying profitable, expanding, putting more welders in the field, using new welding procedures and consu...
By: Tony Carroll, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 5/16/02
This article outlines some of the benefits, limitations, and applications of plasma arc cutting. It also provides questions to ask when considering the process for your business.
By: John Brennan and Clayton Gould, Contributing Writers - www.thefabricator.com, 3/28/02
Seven OEMs of welding torches and guns talk about fabricator challenges and how they see gun and torch technology changing to help them in the future. Some challenges fabricators face are a skilled welder shortage, an economic recession, and welder safety.
By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 3/14/02
A guide to the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process. The benefits of the process include its high deposition rate, efficient use of filler matel, elimination of slag and flux removal, and the reduction of smoke and fumes.
By: Bruce Morrett, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 2/19/02
The author is an end-user of power sources who shares his knowledge of how to pick a GTAW power source for an application. He considers the application, materials to be welded, power requirements, usage, time constraints, and additional capacity.
By: Matt Hoppes, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 1/10/02
A case study looking at how Superior Joining Technologies Inc. got into the microwelding business, the welding equipment they use, how the meet customer requirements, and how they use a solid foundation in welding to keep up with today's stringent requirements.
By: Norwin Merens, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 12/13/01
This article discusses improvements to the GTAW torch that should enhance the productivity and quality of welding operations. It specifically discusses the welding gun's affect on ergonomics and cooling capacity.
By: Harshad Shah, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 11/15/01
This off-the-beaten-path article defines a remote GTAW process that allows weld operators to minimize their exposure to radiation when welding spent fuel canisters used to contain nuclear fuel.
By: Mike Petersen, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 10/11/01
There are several pros and cons to using the gas metal arc welding process versus the flux cored arc welding process in compact applications.
By: Lincoln Electric Weld Technology Center Staff - www.thefabricator.com, 8/16/01
The author outlines basic components of a welding booth suitable for GTAW, and offers possible solutions to a decline in availability of the thoriated tungsten used in a GTAW electrode. He also offers ideas for providing a clean air supply for the GTAW operator.
By: Richard Mann, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 7/12/01
Welders who want to become proficient in a technology whose time has come should look into getting certified for flux-cored arc welding.
By: Neal Borchart, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 5/15/01
Plasma arc welding sometimes offers greater welding speed than gas tungsten arc welding at lower cost than laser beam welding.
By: Randy Dull, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 2/19/01
Aluminum is a real challenge to weld, especially for beginners. A knowledge of the gas tungsten arc welding equipment that is available to do the job as well as required accessories, preparation tips, and proper techniques is a good thing to have before jumping in.
By: Mike Sammons, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 2/19/01
Learning the fundamentals of the GTAW process will increase the welder's ability to produce quality weldments. Knowing the correct consumables, equipment, and preweld preparation necessary will help the welder troubleshoot welding problems.
By: Larry D. Smith, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 2/19/01
This article examines variable-plasma arc welding and its uses in the welding of tailor-welded blanks.
By: John Micheli and Chris Pilcher, Contributing Writers - The FABRICATOR®, 11/29/00
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