Did you know that welding has been around for centuries? What about the types of welding machines? Dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages, welding has become a part of our lives that it’s stated that more than half of the products made by man require welding. This means the planes, trains, automobiles, bridges, and even computers all have to go through a welding process before being completed. That is interesting, right?
However, it was not until the 19th century specifically 1881 that true welding was invented. As time has gone by, welding has become an exciting profession that is enabling welders to not only sustain themselves but also earn six-figure incomes.
However, before you get too excited, you need to master the art of welding by knowing the following:
- Basic welding,
- Types of the welding process
- The different types of welding machines.
But wait a minute, today we are not going to look at the first and second art of welding but we are going to share with you the 4 popular types of welding machines in the welding market.
Different Types of Welding Machines
There are many types of welding machines that come in different sizes and shapes. For example, when it comes to size, the large-sized welding machines are mostly used in the factory while the small size ones are for domestic purposes. The good news is that we are going to look at different welding machines found in the market that makes welding easy.
MIG Welding Machines
MIG welding machines are one of the best machines to use for different places such as homes, workshops, and industries. Also known as Gas Metal Arc Welding Machines, these machines can weld various metals like aluminum, nickel alloys, mild steel, magnesium, and stainless steel.
Mostly used in automotive industries to repair cars, motorbikes, SUV’s and Vans, the machines are also used in the construction sectors that use steel such as homes, office buildings, bridges among other places. Last but not least, these machines are used in High Production Manufacturing to create auto parts, computer components, and ship parts as well as other items.
However, there are different types of MIG welding machines worth mentioning. These usually include:
- Gas-less MIG Welding Machines: It is common to find these Gas-less Welders on job sides and also homes especially by people who work outside. The best part of it is that the users don’t worry about the wind blowing the shielding gas aside and creating any disturbance during the welding process.
- Wire Welding Machines: Also known as flux core welders, the Wire Machines are used on thin or thick plate metals.
TIG Welding Machines
Another great welding machine is Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) which is used in different metals. These mainly include gold, copper, brass, aluminum, nickel alloys, magnesium, titanium, and stainless steel. Ideal for making different items, the machine is also best at repairing damaged parts at homes and indoors industries, unlike outdoor sites or fields.
That means when it comes to welding using TIG Machine, the amount of heat created depends on arc polarity, amperage, and arc voltage. Polarity outlines the direction of the current flow in DC welding. Known to use foot-operated variable amperage these machines also have other numerous controls. For instance, if you are welding aluminum, one of the vital controls to consider is the balance that maintains the cleaning versus penetration levels on aluminum.
Apart from the foot paddle, other TIG Machine parts also include an electric torch, a filler metal rod, among other parts. Note that, the TIG Machines are used in power constructions, machinery, petrochemical industry, ship constructions as well as indoor and outdoor decoration constructions, and so on. With that in mind, you should know there are several types of TIG Welding Machines used to weld metals. These mostly include:
- AC. TIG Welding Machine: Known to be smaller in size and light in weight. An AC TIG Welder is mostly used to weld aluminum because the material is surrounded by an oxide layer. So, for the chance to destroy the oxide for the aluminum itself to melt, an A.C TIG Welding Machine is used.
- DC. TIG Welding Machine: Suitable for welding all types of metals, the D.C. welding machine can be used in all sorts of work.
Plastic Welding Machines
Just as the name suggests Plastic Welding Machines are used to weld different kinds of plastic materials. Yes, you heard me right. Plastic parts are usually used in many industries such as automotive, medical, and electronic applications that make toys, household utensils, and also heart valves among others. There are two types of plastic that are thermosets and thermoplastics. However, only thermoplastics materials are suitable for welding.
This means the thermoplastics are joined together by melting the surfaces and pressing them using a plastic welding machine. Keep this in mind; there are different types of plastic welding machines such as:
- Hot Air Plastic Welding Machines: These kinds of machines are used to weld any chemistry comparable types of plastics. That means they can be used in producing large chemical tanks, heat exchangers as well as plumber fixtures.
- Laser Plastic Welding Machines: They are used when you are concentrating a beam of light on a particular spot so that the area under the laser beam absorbs the light and becomes highly energetic.
- Ultrasonic Plastic Welding Machines: Also used in metals, the Ultrasonic machine is used to converts electricity to mechanical vibrations thus paving way for molecular bonding in plastics as well as metals.
- Spin Plastic Welding Machines: Designed to apply force while rotating one part of plastic against its stationary mate, Spin Plastic Welders is used in different industries that use friction welding techniques for the thermoplastic material. These industries are automotive and domestic appliance industries where they use the Spin machine to make aerosol bottles, polyethylene floats, PVC pipes, and fittings as well as transmission shafts.
Spot Welding Machines
Used for joining parts that are normally up to 3 mm in thickness, Spot Welding Machines are mostly used in several industries. These mostly include automotive, electronics, constructions, aerospace, metal furniture, medical buildings, rail, among others. Note these machines are mostly used to weld more than two metal sheets.
Nonetheless, there are other metals except for steel that the Spot Welding Machines can be used upon which are Bronze, Phosphor, Brass, Titanium, among others. Known to be available in permanent plus transportable forms of a machine, there are several kinds of Spot Welding Machines for different purposes. These include:
- Seam Spot Welding Machines: These kinds of machines are usually used to make gas-fluid tight joints in a variety of sheet metal fabrications. For example, it is used in making steel fuel tanks for motor vehicles, steel drums, tin cans, and domestic radiators.
- Press Spot Welding Machines: Mostly used through the metalworking sectors, the Press Spot Welding Machines is suitable for fasteners and studs as well as welding tight spots spaces.
- Bench Spot Welding Machines: Ideal for joining of wire ends, Bench Spot Welding Machines is widely used in automobiles, constructions, engineering among other industries.
Conclusion
I believe you agree with me that welding is an interesting profession. However, you don’t need to be a welder to be able to purchase a welding machine. As we have learned from the above information, you can choose the right welding machine for home purposes too.
All you need is to know which type of metals or plastic you are using, find the right features, know the price of the machine and you are good to go. Nevertheless, before we go, are you familiar with the above types of welding machines, and what do you think is best for you?
Learn More: The 5 Types of Welding Joints
