Now it is impossible to imagine production that could do without welding. This process as a way to combine completely different parts made of durable material has found the widest application. Indeed, in most cases, welding is the only effective way to connect metals and structures. With such a demand, the progress of this technology cannot wait and is developing in step with the times. Below we will consider the main milestones and directions of modern welding.
Welding MIG, MMA
Manual Metal Arc is literally translated into Russian as "manual arc welding with piece electrodes". This connection method is a pioneer in the path of welding progress. Such a process is less technologically advanced than others, which we will discuss below, however, to this day remains the most reliable.
The principle of operation is as follows: both an electrode and a welded product for burning the welding arc are given direct or alternating current. The electrode connects the metal parts using an arc, forming a weld pool of metal and electrode, while the molten slag goes to the surface of the seam.
Welding machine progress
Modern welding technologies with the MIG, MAG, TIG index are one of the most advanced methods of arc welding and are used literally everywhere at this stage in the development of 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 metal parts, in which a special protective gas is supplied to the combustion zone of the electric arc, which pushes atmospheric gases from the zone of welded metals. This is the protective function of gas. In MIG welding, the weld pool is completely protected from oxygen and nitrogen.
The 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 name and their translation. MIG (Metal Inert Gas) translates as "metal, inert gas."
These inert gases include argon. These gases are relevant for welding aluminum, copper, titanium and all kinds of alloys. MAG (Metal Active Gas) is translated from English as "metal, active gas." Among these gases are oxygen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. This gas is used for welding baths of low alloy, unalloyed and corrosion-resistant steels.
The principle of operation of the welding semiautomatic device
The principle of operation of a semiautomatic device is, first of all, that the wire electrode itself, which in manual arc welding the specialist delivers independently with the help of a hand and a holder, is fed in the semiautomatic device with the help of an engine. Therefore, this method is called semi-automatic MIG welding . The wire has a dual function - it is both a conductive electrode and a filler material. An electric current is supplied shortly before the electrode exits the burner, and an electric arc occurs between the end of the wire electrode and the metal.
Shielding gas is supplied through a gas nozzle surrounding the wire electrode. Due to inertness, burning gas displaces all atmospheric gases, saving the strength of the weld structure. However, in addition to the protective function, gas also performs peripheral tasks. The composition of the atmosphere in the zone of the electric arc depends on the shielding gas, which also positively affects its electrical conductivity.
TIG welding
Unlike MIG welding, Tungsten Insert Gas is a manual arc welding performed using a non-consumable electrode in a shielding gas medium by filler wire. This type is also called argon arc welding. The essence of this process is as follows: shielding gas is supplied to the arc zone through the nozzle, while the non-consumable tungsten electrode is not melted, but is used as a tool for wire drawing.
According to the classification, welding TIG, MIG, MMA belongs to the class of manual arc. This type of welding is recommended for joining extremely small parts with a gap of up to 0.01 mm. The main disadvantage of the TIG connection, compared with MIG welding, is the speed, which is extremely low. If you need excellent quality, and you are in no hurry, then this is the perfect choice for an esthete welder.
Prospects for welding technology
In this article, we got acquainted with the main types of welding, which are popular and in demand at the moment in most large industries and in technological chains. Today, MIG welding, TIG technology, welding with piece electrodes and so on 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 at the development stage, we can trace the tendency to synergistic control schemes, when setting the parameter on the 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 work comfort 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 ultrahigh and ultralow temperatures, at pressures, are able to work even in space vacuum.
Modern technologies in the field of welding even work with plastics, glass, ceramics and other materials. Recently, welding has been used even for joining soft living tissues. Therefore, this profession will develop, improve and remain as much in demand as throughout the history of man and progress. And the work of such specialists will and will remain important and necessary.