MIG welding on modern equipment

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Now it is impossible to imagine a production that could do without the help of welding. This process, as a way to connect completely different parts from a durable material, has found the widest application. Indeed, in most cases, welding is the only effective way to connect metals and structures. With such demand, the progress of this technology cannot wait and develops in step with the times. Below we will look at the main milestones and trends of modern welding.

MIG, MMA welding

Manual Metal Arc literally translates into Russian as "manual arc welding with stick electrodes". This connection method is a pioneer in the way of welding progress. Such a process is less technologically advanced than others, which we will discuss below, but to this day remains the most reliable.

The principle of operation is as follows: both the electrode and the welded product are supplied with direct or alternating current to burn the welding arc. The electrode uses an arc to connect parts of the metal, forming a weld pool of metal and electrode,at the same time, molten slag comes to the surface of the seam.

Progress of welding machines

Modern welding technologies with the index MIG, MAG, TIG are one of the most modern methods of arc welding and are used literally everywhere at this stage of the development of the world industry. A novice welder does not always know what it is - MIG / MAG welding. The definition of this process is as follows: this is the process of joining parts of metals, in which a special shielding gas is supplied to the burning zone of the electric arc, pushing atmospheric gases out of the zone of the metals being welded. This is the protective function of the gas. In MIG welding, the weld pool is completely protected from oxygen and nitrogen.

Main differences between MIG and MAG welding

However, a more experienced welder knows what it is - MIG and MAG welding, how these types differ from each other. The differences lie in the title and their translation. MIG (Metal Inert Gas) is translated as "metal, inert gas".

Argon is one of these inert gases. These gases are relevant for welding aluminum, copper, titanium and their various alloys. MAG (Metal Active Gas) is translated from English as "metal, active gas". These gases include oxygen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. This gas is used for welding pools of low-alloy, non-alloy and corrosion-resistant steels.

The principle of operation of the semi-automatic welding machine

The principle of operation of the semiautomatic device is primarily that the wire electrode itselfwhich, during manual arc welding, the specialist feeds independently with the help of a hand and a holder, in a semiautomatic device it is fed using an engine. Therefore, this method is called semi-automatic MIG welding. The wire performs a dual function - it is both a conductive electrode and a filler material. Electric current is applied shortly before the electrode leaves the torch, and an electric arc phenomenon occurs between the end of the wire electrode and the metal.

The shielding gas is supplied through a gas nozzle surrounding the wire electrode. The burning gas, due to inertia, displaces all atmospheric gases, saving the strength of the structure of the welded seam. However, in addition to the protective function, the gas also performs peripheral tasks. The composition of the atmosphere in the zone of the electric arc depends on the shielding gas, which also has a positive effect on its electrical conductivity.

TIG welding

Unlike MIG welding, Tungsten Insert Gas is a manual arc welding performed with a non-consumable electrode in a shielding gas environment by adding a wire. This type is also called argon arc welding. The essence of this process is as follows: a shielding gas is fed into the arc zone through a nozzle, while the non-consumable tungsten electrode is not melted, but is used as a tool for wire insertion.

According to the classification, TIG, MIG, MMA welding belongs to the manual arc class. This type of welding is recommended for joining extremely small parts with gaps up to0.01mm. The main disadvantage of TIG welding, compared to MIG welding, is the speed, which is extremely slow. If you're looking for great quality and you're not in a hurry, this is the perfect choice for the aesthetic welder.

Prospects for welding technology

In this article, we got acquainted with the main types of welding that are popular and in demand at the moment in most large industries and in technological chains. Today, MIG welding, TIG technologies, stick electrode welding, etc. are mainly used. However, we did not mention the automatic methods of joining parts used in industry.

If we delve into the world of technologies that are under development, we can trace the attraction to synergic control schemes, when setting a parameter on automatic systems, for example, the thickness of the metal being welded, sets the corresponding wire feed speed, welding current and other parameters. This significantly increases the comfort of work and production efficiency. Among other things, now, in the 21st century, welding is an independent type of production and contributes to the creation of fundamentally new designs. Welded parts serve at ultra-high and ultra-low temperatures, at pressures, and are able to work even in space vacuum conditions.

Modern technologies in the field of welding allow you to work even with plastics, glass, ceramics and other materials. Recently, welding has been used even to connect soft living tissues. Therefore, thisthe profession will develop, improve and remain as in demand as it has been throughout the history of man and progress. And the work of such specialists will and will remain important and necessary.