Basic Parameters of the Welding Machine

What are welding parameters:: Know The Detail!

Basic Parameters of the Welding Machine are very important parameter in the operation of the welding machine, regardless of its device, is the duration of switching on (PV) at different values of the welding current.

Therefrom different manufacturers have different techniques of measurements. The European standard EN 60974-1 takes into account the duration of welding at a temperature of 40 °C until the first stop of the welding machine from overheating, and the PV is calculated based on the ratio of this time to the 10-minute working cycle.

Under more realistic conditions :

According to the method of the Italian company Telwin (t = 20 °C, work with interruptions), the number of electrodes that can use during this period of time is taken into account first of all.

Of course, the PV calculated according to the second method is noticeably higher, and when choosing a device, it is necessary to specify exactly how it can calculate.

However, in the process of operation, it is rarely necessary to burn several electrodes in a row at full power without interruption, and the device with a declared “European” PV of 10-20 % will work until the shutdown as much as with a 60-80% PV calculate according to the “Telvin” method.

An important parameter and the first thing that is usually pay attention to is the range of changes in the welding current.

It indirectly indicates the power of the device. The larger it is, the larger the electrode can install, and the larger the PV will be when working with small electrodes at equal current strength.

For household purposes and work with a running 3-millimeter electrode, all types of transformers more than have a maximum power of 150 A, for inverters-even less, at this current they calmly cook “four”.

It should bear in mind that the box with the electrodes usually indicates the recommended currents when working with transformers or rectifiers, the inverter can already cut metal at such currents.

Another important parameter is the idle current. It can be in the range of 60-85 V: the higher, the easier it is to light the arc.

Types of welding:

Manual arc welding with a melting electrode (MMA). This is the most popular type of welding, in which the role of the electrode can play to a wire coated with a coating.

During the melting process, the wire connects the parts to be welded, and the coating (slag) protects the weld pool from the effects of oxygen, also contributing to the improvement of the arc characteristics and the quality of the seam.

Most often, ferrous metals, cast iron, and some types of non-ferrous metals and alloys can weld in this way, but it is quite difficult to achieve a good connection in the latter case: the low-melting components of the alloys burn out, and the connection is not too high-quality.

Manual welding in a protective gas environment (TIG). Most often, argon with a small admixture of oxygen can use as a gas to burn out dirt and oxides during operation, and welding can carry out with non-consumable graphite or tungsten electrode.

As an additive, rods made of the same material as the parts to be welded are used. The quality of the weld with this method is very high, low-melting alloy components and alloying additives do not burn out, the welding bath can protect from oxygen in the air, and the formation of slag will practically exclude.

Welding can almost always perform on a direct current of direct polarity, only for aluminum, alternating current or reverse polarity is more suitable: this way the oxide film will better destroy.

Despite the fact that this method is quite expensive and does not have a high speed of work, it is quite popular and sometimes indispensable for welding any metals in the case of small amounts of work or if it is not possible to automate the process for various reasons.

Semi-automatic welding:

In this case, the role of the electrode is usually a welding wire, which can automatically feed into the welding zone, although welding with a non-consumable electrode is also possible.

The device can move manually. Welding is performed by direct or pulsed current, there is a distinction between welding in an environment of inert (MIG) or active (MAG) protective gases and welding with cored wire — then gas can not require.

For large volumes of deposited metal, MMA welding is more appropriate. The scope of work of semi-automatic machines is the welding of thin sheets, high-alloy steels, non-ferrous metals, as well as industrial applications.

Other welding methods and techniques:

In addition to the three main welding methods listed above, others can also use, especially in industrial production. We will briefly describe some of them.

Plasma welding:

The source of heat here can a plasma jet obtain by ionization of the working gas between the electrodes, one of which can be the product being welded, or both electrodes are located in a plasma torch.

Both of these methods can use in industrial production more often for surfacing and cutting than for welding itself.

Contact welding:

In this case, the connected workpieces or their touching areas can press against each other, heat the electricity to a state of plastic deformation, and then further compress. Among a large number of types of contact welding, you can distinguish spot, butt, relief, and seam welding.

In spot welding, the parts to weld overlap can clamp between two electrodes, and then a current pulse of small voltage (several volts) and significant force, up to several thousand amperes,  can turn on.

Thus, a welding point will form between the parts, or two at once, if the electrodes can supply on one side, and a conductive lining is placed on the other.

Contact welding requires good surface preparation, is suitable for many metals and alloys, and is especially popular for welding thin sheets. The warping of the sheets is low, and the quality (with proper welding parameters) is also high.

This is how, for example, car bodies can assemble in a factory. The method lends itself well to automation, but can also use in manual mode.

Welder protection:

The welding process can accompany a large number of dangerous and harmful factors: the high temperature of the hot metal and slag, the bright glow of the arc in the visible, infrared, and ultraviolet ranges, and the release of toxic gases and aerosols.

When working with electrical devices, failure to comply with the safety regulations is fraught with the risk of electric shock. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of purchase of a mask and protective clothing.

Welding mask or shield:

This will the most necessary element design to protect the eyes and face. It can most often make of plastic or electric cardboard (fiber). The shield has to hold with one hand, the mask can attach to the head.

The design of the filter according to GOST must include a protective glass and a Plexiglas substrate. As a filter, either a darkened glass or a “chameleon” filter can use, which automatically darkens when an arc occurs.

“Chameleon” is much more convenient, but also costs more. Depending on the welding conditions, glasses of various degrees of darkening can use, in the “chameleon” it can almost always regulate.

For difficult working conditions, masks can make with breathing filters or an external air supply system, as well as with the possibility of attaching a helmet and headphones.

Clothing and other protective equipment:

Clothing and gloves should make of low-burning and non-smoldering fabrics such as tarpaulins, rubberized materials, or leather. Shoes are also desirable “rougher” because, in addition to sparks and drops of metal, you can accidentally drop a piece of iron on your foot.

The most practical for this purpose can boots make of thick leather or rubber boots. All clothing should button and fitted in such a way as to prevent the ingress of molten metal droplets into its folds and protect all areas of the skin from the harmful effects of the welding arc. To ensure electrical safety, mats made of rubber or similar dielectric materials can use.

Do not forget also about other means of protection — the serviceability of the equipment, the presence of grounding, reliable fixation of the welding wires in the device and the integrity of their insulation, reliable electrical contact of the return wire on the parts, etc.

Finally, do not lose sight of the reliable fastening of the welded parts. If you properly organize the workplace and work according to your capabilities and without haste, then both the work and the result will only please.

We hope that our discussion about Basic Parameters of the Welding Machine was helpful for you.