Content tagged with "gtaw"
Results: 80
Article
April 1, 2010
Pulsed GTAW for stainless steel
Figure 1
Proper fit-up and good control of the welding parameters go hand-in-hand in producing successful fusion with minimal distortion. A poor fit-up requires more weld metal to fill the gaps. More metal means more heat, which leads to more distortion.
Some welders swear that... Read more...
Spanish
February 9, 2010
Article
January 14, 2010
Love your gloves
To get the best results from your welding gloves, it is imperative to match your process with the appropriate materials.
For many welders, pulling on a pair of welding gloves is second nature. What may not be second nature, however, is choosing the right glove to fit your needs of... Read more...
Article
November 24, 2009
One size does not fit all
Figure 1
Push-button process selection potentially saves pipe fabrication shops $13,000 per year by reducing changeover time.
Unless you're that exceptional standard-sized person, chances are that one-size-fits-all clothing requires compromises. While tight gloves pinch, and a... Read more...
Article
November 24, 2009
One size does not fit all
Figure 1
Push-button process selection potentially saves pipe fabrication shops $13,000 per year by reducing changeover time.
Unless you're that exceptional standard-sized person, chances are that one-size-fits-all clothing requires compromises. While tight gloves pinch, and a... Read more...
Article
September 6, 2009
Robotic GTAW or GMAW: No longer a clear-cut choice
Figure 1
Technology advancements have made GTAW easier to automate. Photo courtesy of The Lincoln Electric Co.
Robotic systems manufacturers and integrators have a confession when it comes to TIG, or gas tungsten arc welding: They've sometimes steered people away from it.
"I've... Read more...
Spanish
July 22, 2009
GTAW la delgada línea
Lo delgado está de moda—es decir, para materiales.
Por los estrictos requerimientos de peso, espacio y diseño en sectores que van desde el procesado de tubos hasta el espacio aéreo, más aplicaciones requieren con frecuencia materiales como acero inoxidable, acero suave y aluminio de ¼ de... Read more...
Article
July 1, 2009
The GTAW top 10
Figure 1
This GTAW is the result of poor gas coverage, which can be caused by a number of factors.
Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) often is specified to meet strict aesthetic, structural, or code/standard requirements. The process is complex, and it is undisputedly the most... Read more...
Article
July 1, 2009
Know your TIG torch
Photos courtesy of Matt Munz, Arc-Zone.com Inc., Carlsbad, Calif. When times are tough our initial instinct is to save money and buy cheap. That's not always the best strategy, especially when you're looking at a new gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) torch. One of the biggest differences... Read more...
Article
April 1, 2009
Piping in productivity on heavy-gauge stainless steel
Stainless Piping Systems Inc., Toronto, is no stranger to demanding applications. The company specializes in engineering, fabricating, and installing complete piping systems for industries such as industrial process, pharmaceutical, water treatment, food and beverage, automotive,... Read more...
Article
March 10, 2009
It takes two, baby
Hybrid laser-arc welding (HLAW) is not a new concept, but it has gained in popularity recently. Faster travel speeds, less heat input and distortion, and higher tolerances make HLAW a great alternative to laser welding or arc welding processes alone. The most common combination is laser and... Read more...
Article
January 27, 2009
A shielding gas primer for GTAW
Selecting the most economical shielding gas or blend for gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) must be based on your knowledge of the gases available, volume requirements, applications, and the overall effect the gas has on the welding process.
The primary gases used for GTAW are argon,... Read more...
Article
December 16, 2008
Welding for all seasons
Figure 1
Tom Young, owner of American Heli-Arc, gas tungsten arc welds a gas tank for a motorcycle.
Tom Young knows people. He knows Dan Pastorini, onetime Houston Oilers quarterback and today a race car owner and driver for the SCCA Pro SPEED World Challenge circuit. He also... Read more...
Article
November 25, 2008
Truckin' along
Dump bodies start out upside down and are flipped after the sides are attached. Then the fronthead and tailgate, including hinges, are welded in place. Truck Bodies & Equipment International (TBEI), Eden Prairie, Minn., a fabricator of dump truck bodies, hoists, and truck and trailer... Read more...
Article
November 11, 2008
Tips for TIG torches
As if gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) weren't already difficult to master, GTAW torches have numerous interchangeable parts and designs to further complicate matters. This holds true for water- and air-cooled torches, as well as those with remote amperage controls. To help ensure your chances... Read more...
Article
November 11, 2008
GTAW common joint designs
Welding a T joint on aluminum, the welder demonstrates proper torch and filler metal positioning. Photo courtesy of Weldcraft. The three most common types of gas tungsten arc weld (GTAW) joints— butt, corner, and T (fillet)—each serves a particular function in product... Read more...
Article
October 28, 2008
TIG for titanium tubing
Titanium is 45 percent lighter than steel, 60 percent heavier than aluminum, and more than three times stronger than either of them. While it is much more expensive than many other metals, it has greater corrosion resistance, lower life-cycle costs, longer service life, and drastically... Read more...
Article
October 28, 2008
The root causes of weld defects
Weld defects happen for a host of reasons. Air may creep into the weldment to cause porosity. The wrong amount of heat can cause cracking. Bad welding technique can cause undercuts or incomplete penetrations of one kind or another. Various factors contribute to weld problems, but many lead... Read more...
Article
October 14, 2008
Eagles, dragons: Stainless steel takes on many forms
A few years ago Kevin Stone, a senior fabricator, decided to combine his years of welding experience with his innate artistic ability and began creating stainless steel sculptures on a large scale. While people make the pilgrimage to Stone's yard in Chilliwack, B.C., to see the "Power of... Read more...
Article
September 16, 2008
Robotic GTAW
Many welding applications require precise control, exact penetration, or minimal heat input regardless of bead appearance, while others are focused solely on the surface of the weld. This is where the advantages of gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) are most prominent, and in most situations... Read more...
Article
August 26, 2008
GTAW the thin line
Thin is in—for materials, that is. Because of stringent weight, space, and design requirements in sectors ranging from tube processing to aerospace, more applications frequently call for materials such as stainless steel, mild steel, and aluminum inch and thinner. And often these... Read more...
Article
April 15, 2008
Modified GMAW for root passes
A new, modified short-circuit transfer technology can help stainless steel pipe fabricators increase productivity to meet the growing demand for energy-related goods.
For stainless steel pipe fabricators, the good news is that the oil refining and petrochemical sector is experiencing... Read more...
Article
March 11, 2008
The facts on welding titanium
Many engineers and fabricators believe that titanium is a mysterious and difficult metal to weld—a fact that contributes to its exclusivity and relegates it to the high-end performance requirements of the aerospace market, the distance-driving desires of golfers, and the need-for-speed... Read more...
Article
March 11, 2008
Virtually welding
A virtual reality simulation of gas metal arc welding a fillet weld. A recent study led to an odd conclusion: Playing video games may produce better surgeons. Really, it's true, at least according to researchers at the Banner Health Center in Phoenix. They had surgical residents play... Read more...
Article
March 11, 2008
Automation in tube and pipe welding
Robotic welding of tube and pipe means more control over a task that can be grueling for welders if done manually. Encompassing applications ranging from exhaust systems and fenders to furniture and fencing, tube and pipe welding is a complicated task. That's why robots make so much sense.... Read more...
Article
March 11, 2008
Learning TIG
Photo courtesy of The Lincoln Electric Company Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), which used to be called heliarc, is referred to by most welders in the shop and field as TIG. In the field, TIG applications include welding stainless in the food industry; stainless, aluminum, titanium, and... Read more...
Article
March 11, 2008
Preventing porosity in humid environments
I'm having problems with excessive porosity when TIG welding aluminum. My friend says it comes from water vapor in the air (it's very humid here) being broken down by the arc. Is this true? It sounds pretty far-fetched. I hope you didn't bet on this one. If you did, get ready to pay up. All... Read more...
Article
December 11, 2007
Article
December 11, 2007
These aren't your grandparents' wheelchairs
Although it's called "wheelchair rugby" or "quad rugby"—it's played by quadriplegic athletes in wheelchairs—neither term really captures the sport's speed or intensity as does its original name: murderball. Nor do the athletes fit the stereotypical image of quadriplegics, and... Read more...
Article
November 6, 2007
The whats, whys, and whens of GTAW
If you are among those who want to learn about welding just for fun, or if you are considering a new career, knowledge is always the key to success. Well, that and a little practice! Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is among the more difficult welding processes to learn, and just like... Read more...
Article
November 6, 2007
Up to speed
NASCAR® roots run deep in the American Southeast. More than 50 years ago, atop sandlot racetracks with haystack walls, local thrill-seekers sought mere bragging rights behind the wheels of their modified family sedans. Today's racecars cost upward of $200,000, and the stakes are among... Read more...
Spanish
October 9, 2007
Obtenga la conexión
Ya sea que usted sea nuevo en la soldadura por arco de tungsteno con gas (GTAW) o que usted sea un fabricante experto, los miles de adaptadores, conectores y acopladores en el mercado pueden ser abrumadores. Para complicar aún más las cosas, los manufactureros han hecho cambios al diseño... Read more...
Article
August 8, 2007
8 FAQs about orbital FCAW
Mechanized, or orbital, gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) of pipe was first introduced about 40 years ago, largely in response to the need for high-quality welds, repeatability, and zero defects for the large number of nuclear power generator plants being constructed at that time. Weld-out time... Read more...
Article
July 10, 2007
Let 'er rip
WWU's Jake Parks drives the Viking 41 at the 2006 Mini Baja competition. Earning a reputation for innovation and quality is a difficult task. It is particularly difficult but equally impressive when this is achieved with a rotating group of students at a public university. That is exactly... Read more...
Article
July 10, 2007
Fabricator finds new opportunities in energy sector
Welding chrome-moly steel has strict requirements concerning the welding process, preheat temperatures, and postheat temperatures. The specifications provided by the engineers for the New Hope Power Partnership project required GTAW on the first three passes of the pipe. Founded in 1988 in... Read more...
Article
April 10, 2007
Welding austenitic stainless steel
Because of its inherent corrosion resistance, austenitic stainless steel has become a cost-effective, staple material for long-term applications in many industries, such as petrochemical, food processing, and transportation.
Also known as 300 series, austenitic stainless steel poses... Read more...
Article
January 9, 2007
Seeing GTAW through a new lens
Whether you're an experienced or a novice welder, you're probably familiar with the traditional components of a gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) torch—nozzles, collets and collet bodies, back caps, and tungsten—but you may not know much about gas lenses. Because gas lenses often... Read more...
Article
November 7, 2006
Drive fast, weld right
"Drive fast, turn left" may be a popular motto among race car drivers, but motorsports fabricators have their own: "Drive fast, weld right." A successful racing team is the sum of its parts, from the fabricators to the painters to the drivers. One of the most critical components is welding,... Read more...
Article
November 7, 2006
New rule, new equipment
A magazine article made Greg Faulkner think about improving welding ventilation at his workplace last year. Faulkner, senior manufacturing engineer at Henny Penny Corp., an Eaton, Ohio-based food service manufacturer, knew that the high ceilings and air-conditioning equipment already in... Read more...
Article
November 7, 2006
Joining GMAW and GTAW
The American Welding Society has defined "hybrid welding" as the combination of two distinct welding energy sources within a single welding process.
Figure 1
A new hybrid welding approach combines a plasma arc and a GMAW arc into one process. These elements detail the process: (1)... Read more...
Article
September 12, 2006
Starting a portable GTAW business
Editor's Note: This is the last part of a four-part series on owning and operating a portable gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) business. Part I , which appeared in the July/August issue of Practical Welding Today, focused on equipment and self-evaluation; Part II addressed potential... Read more...
Article
September 12, 2006
Improve your GTAW in 3 steps
An industry-standard manual gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) torch package includes a torch body and a cable set, either 12-1/2 or 25 feet long. Front-end parts generally aren't included. While it may sound like the manufacturers are being cheap, it's really in your best interest, because... Read more...
Article
September 12, 2006
Article
August 8, 2006
Article
July 11, 2006
Article
July 11, 2006
Dam the purge gas and full speed ahead
The first step in making your own water- soluble purge dam with water-soluble paper is to cut the paper in a diameter about 1.3 times the inner diameter of the pipe. Next, slit the edges and insert the paper disk into the pipe with the lip of the paper dam toward the weld area and... Read more...
Article
July 11, 2006
Innovation rides the waves
U.S. Air Force security police use this response boat to conduct sea trials. Bellingham, Wash., has a long tradition of seafaring sailors and boat-builders. During the 1800s many full-rigged ships hauled lumber to places like California and Hawaii. During World War II wooden mine... Read more...
Article
July 11, 2006
Article
May 15, 2006
Microwelding: Then and now
Five Star Tool Welding General Manager Steve Coleman repairs damaged areas to a plastic mold insert. Joe Canfield is a grateful tool and die welder. That's because he gets to use gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and micro-GTAW—a major upgrade from the original version of tool and... Read more...
Article
May 9, 2006
Metal fabricating in a new millennium
"What I wanted to do in Millennium Park is make something that would engage the Chicago skyline ... so that one will see the clouds kind of floating in, with those very tall buildings reflected in the work. And then, since it is in the form of a gate, the participant,... Read more...
Article
May 9, 2006
Hitting pay dirt -- in pipe
72-in.-dia., 1-in.-wall pipe is being welded using preheating coils on each side of the weld. A torch bracket reaches over the coils. Oil refineries aren't the only ones hitting pay dirt in Canada. Northern Alberta is the land of opportunity for welders and pipe fitters these days.... Read more...
Article
March 7, 2006
A tale of two welders
David Anthony, who builds custom choppers from sheet metal, learned GTAW to gain more control of the entire design process. In using GTAW, he found that upgrading to a water cooling system was necessary. What does a retired 65-year-old in New Mexico have in common with a young custom... Read more...
Article
March 7, 2006
Guidelines for tungsten electrodes
Tungsten is a rare metallic element used for manufacturing gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) electrodes. The GTAW process relies on tungsten's hardness and high-temperature resistance to carry the welding current to the arc. Tungsten has the highest melting point of any metal, 3,410 degrees... Read more...
Article
February 7, 2006
Making your way as a job shop today
Karl Fischer says that staying flexible, within the skills you have to offer, has helped him keep his business successful over the years. Here, he stands next to a 304 stainless steel beer carbonation carboy that required internal pipe upgrading. With a small, $200, one-afternoon job,... Read more...
Article
January 10, 2006
Elements of success:
You may know that air and water are two of the four astrological elements, but you may not know just how much they can affect your welding performance.
Torches, cables, and cooling are three integral components in gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and gas tungsten arc welding... Read more...
Article
December 13, 2005
The shocking truth about welding
Photo courtesy of TWI I was thinking about how my articles always begin with something stupid or embarrassing I've done and what a shame it is that I can remember so many stories to relate. I'm going to mix things up this time and begin with a stupid story about a former... Read more...
Article
November 8, 2005
Knockout punch
Punched and tapped parts are stacked on a pallet to be delivered to the press brake area for bending. A finished part (after bending) is shown on the left side of the stacking table for illustration purposes. This is an application destined to stay in the U.S. It's a large,... Read more...
Article
November 8, 2005
Getting the needed fixtures
Sitting on top of a modular fixturing table, a rock wheel frame attachment for a skid steer is finish-welded. Variety is the spice of life for Woods Equipment Co. The Oregon, Ill.-based company is a manufacturer of attachments and implements for agricultural tractors, skid steers,... Read more...
Article
October 11, 2005
TIG welding - an overview
As I've said before, I like to begin my articles by relating a personal dumb but funny learning experience. Why do I do this, you might ask? Because I'm not afraid to admit I make mistakes; after all, I'm human. I've been taught by, worked for, and even been friends with a few people who... Read more...
Article
October 11, 2005
Welding aluminum piping
Aluminum piping is test-welded in a laboratory. A large number of fabricators manufacture carbon and stainless steel piping systems, and in general, the welding procedures and techniques for manufacturing them are well-known. But few fabricators manufacture aluminum piping systems,... Read more...
Article
July 12, 2005
How to choose the consumables you use - Part II
Editor's Note: This article, which covers consumables for gas tungsten arc welding, is the second installment of a two-part article. Part I discusses gas metal arc welding consumables.
Consumables comprise only a small portion of the total cost of gas tungsten arc welding... Read more...
Article
June 14, 2005
Metal on his mind
Mike Ingram spent three months detailing a replica of the Captain Morgan rum ship. "When I make something, I picture it in my mind and pick it apart," Ingram said with a gleam in his eye that makes you think he might be imagining something right then and there to sculpt. From Boredom... Read more...
Article
April 11, 2005
Using AC for Al
Figure 1 Orbital gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) has been used in many industries since its introduction in the 1950s. Developed by the aerospace industry for welding small fittings to tubes, the process was limited by its large power supplies and cumbersome fixtures suited only to... Read more...
Article
April 11, 2005
Welding zirconium and zirconium alloys Part II
Welding Technique Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) zirconium requires careful attention to many of the same criteria used in welding other metals. Successful welding depends on the electrical characteristics, wire feeding, interpass cleaning, workpiece preheating, and heat input.... Read more...
Article
March 8, 2005
99% GTAW, 100% RAD
Troy Trepanier stands next to the FastForward Fastback 1967 Mustang®, a project car restored with modifications borrowed from Ford's 2005 concept Mustang. It was made in 18 weeks with parts and accessories found and bought on eBay Motors.
Troy Trepanier says his... Read more...
Article
February 8, 2005
10 frequently asked GTAW questions
Experienced welders know that without the right information, it's easy to sacrifice quality, lose time, and generally become frustrated with gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). And while there is merit in learning by trial and error, if you want to move toward precision GTAW, getting answers... Read more...
Article
January 11, 2005
Simplifying shielding gas selection
Have you ever asked yourself any of the following questions:
Why is welding affected by the shielding gases used?
Why are so many blends available for carbon steel?
Why can I use some gases for some materials and not others?
Answering these questions will help... Read more...
Article
January 11, 2005
Optimize your plasma performance
This ensures a high concentration of heat to a small area. The shielding gas enters the arc zone and channels the plasma to the workpiece in a precise column. Because of the advanced level of arc control and accuracy, PAW is suitable for use in precision welding applications. The weld... Read more...
Article
January 10, 2005
Welding zirconium and zirconium alloys
A magnified view of a titanium-zirconium weld joint shows titanium (the multicolored area, left), zirconium (the green and yellow area, right), and a mixture of the two metals (the blue area, center). The intense colors come from polishing the weld interface and anodizing the surface.... Read more...
Article
September 14, 2004
Caring for your contact tips
The contact tip is one of the smallest and relatively inexpensive components in a gas metal arc welding (GMAW) system, but it can cause catastrophic failure and production downtime, highly penalizing productivity. The basic function of the contact tip is to transfer welding current to the... Read more...
Article
February 26, 2004
Efficient shielding gas supply methods
In any welding process, the gas supply system must address basic equipment requirements for the gases at the point of supply and at the point of use. The type of shielding gas required determines the point-of-supply equipment needed, the mode in which the gas can be supplied, and the volume of... Read more...
Article
August 28, 2003
Article
August 28, 2003
Inverter versus transformer power supplies for aluminum GTAW
I'm looking for a new GTAW power supply for AC aluminum welding. I had intended to buy a conventional transformer unit, but several people have told me to buy an inverter-based power supply. Which one is better for my application? Inverter-based power supplies do have some advantages over... Read more...
Article
March 27, 2003
Article
March 13, 2003
Coil joining criteria for tube and pipe mills
A coil end joiner's obvious benefit is that it maintains the continuity of stock flow through the line, preventing rethreading downtime and the resulting scrap, tooling wear, and lost production. The spectrum of tube and pipe applications for coil joining presents various challenges and... Read more...
Article
February 27, 2003
Choosing tungsten electrode type, size for aluminum GTAW
I've heard different opinions about which size and type of tungsten electrode I should use to gas tungsten arc weld (GTAW) aluminum. Could you clear up this subject for me? As you know, we use direct current electrode negative (DCEN), or straight polarity, to weld steels and stainless... Read more...
Article
November 21, 2002
Working in a welder's wonderland
Object A good welder is a lazy welder, according to Greg Lamm. But you won't see him lying down on the job. Lamm, who's been a welder for 36 years, specializes in microwelding at Superior Joining Technologies, Machesney Park, Ill., which specializes in certified gas tungsten arc... Read more...
Article
November 17, 2002
Secrets of Using GTAW for Tools and Dies
Tool and die welding can be a very lucrative service for a fab shop to offer. However, tool and die welders are a rare breed because of lack of knowledge about the process and the extra expense for a shop. Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) frequently is used for tool and die welding applications... Read more...
Article
January 10, 2002
Selecting a GTAW power source
One of the benefits of gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is its ability to control amperage, or heat input, with a high degree of precision, especially when using it in mechanized applications. This article focuses on manual GTAW applications, although many of the factors discussed also... Read more...
Article
April 24, 2001
Preparing for aluminum GTAW
Even if you are experienced in welding steels, aluminum welding can present quite a challenge. Aluminum's oxide coating, higher thermal conductivity, and lower melting point easily can lead to welding problems unless you know how to prepare for welding and set up the equipment. Though many... Read more...
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