Posts Tagged ‘plasma arc welding’

Newer Entries »

The Untold Secrets About Plasma Cutter

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Plasma cutter is very easy to use. It is a machine that can be managed without any trouble. There are lots of varieties of steels and metals that conduct electricity and can be cut by this plasma cutter device. Non ferrous material and steel which is quite thick or less than 1 inch thick can be cut with the help of plasma cutter. Nearly all the varieties of conductive metals like aluminum, stainless and mild steel can make use of the plasma cutter.

By employing an electric arc and gas such as oxygen, air or nitrogen, this device starts function, by means of a slim hole. This entire process put together formulates the high temperature of gas which rises up to the level, and it attains the fourth state of substance that is called the plasma. The gas surpasses by the side of the nozzle and with the help of an internal electrode that gas is ionized. An internal electrode is the one which makes an electrical arc. At the tip of the cutter the strong plasma arc is created by this arc.

Share

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Plasma Cutters | No Comments »

Knowing About Plasma Arc Welding

Monday, March 29th, 2010

Welding is an old process but then inventions and improvements in this field are still up and happening. These days we have a lot of special equipments and different methods to carry out welding and metal cutting works depending up on our needs.

Now here we are gonna study about latest welding process that is more or less like a typical arc welding process and it is nothing but Plasma Arc Welding. The important difference between arc welding and plasma arc welding is that the electrode is directly inserted inside a small nozzle in plasma welding.

Plasma arc welding machines can be operated manually or even automatically as desired. This plasma arc welding process is something that produces thin and a very much straight line of welding. The biggest advantage of this process is that the nozzle keeps the flow without deviation and hence more accurate and powerful weld is obtained.

As the electrode is inserted inside a small nozzle, the inert shielding gas is separated and the arc becomes intensified. Plasma welding machines and processes can be manually or automatically operated. They tend to produce very straight and thin welds. The nozzle allows much less wandering of the arc compared to normal TIG and MIG welding making thin precision welds possible.

Share

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Arc Welding | No Comments »

Plasma Arc Welding Overview and Disadvantages

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Plasma Arc welding is a method of welding process, similar to Tig welding. PAW is an abvanced method of tig welding, which is designed to increase high productivity

Disadvantages

  • High Equipment Expense
  • Need More Operator Skills
  • Complex Welding Procedures
  • Producing Heavy Noise Level
  • Producing Higher Ozone Production
Share

Tags: ,
Posted in Tig Welding | No Comments »

Safety Measures for Plasma Arc Cutting

Friday, August 21st, 2009

Cutting Can Cause Fire

  • Keep a fire extinguisher nearby
  • Do not cut on a ceiling, floor, bulkhead or partition it can lead to fire
    on the hidden side.
  • Welding operator and others should protect themselves from flying sparks and hot metal.
  • Do not use plasma cutter to thaw frozen pipes.
  • Do not cut pressurized cylinders, pipes or vessels.

Electric Shock Can Kill

  • While welding always wear dry, insulating gloves and body protection.
  • Do not touch live electrical parts
  • Turn off all equipment when not in use
  • Install an equipment based on owner’s manual
  • Use only that torch which is specified in the Owner’s Manual
  • While welding always use well maintained equipment. Repair or replace damaged parts at once.

Flying Sparks Can Cause Injury

  • Wear body protection clothes so that you can protect your skin
  • Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes
  • Wear ear muffs to prevent sparks from entering ears

Arc Rays Can Burn Eyes and Skin

Noise Can Damage Hearing

  • Use ear muffs if noise level is high
  • Tell people working with you about noise hazard

Fumes and Gases Can Be Hazardous

  • Do not breathe the fumes while working
  • Always ventilate the area
  • If ventilation is less, wear a respirator
  • Always read the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for
    metals to be cut, coatings and cleaners.

Plasma Arc Can Cause Injury

  • Keep away from the torch tip
  • Pilot arc can cause burns
  • Do not grip material near the cutting path
  • Use only torches that are specified in the Owner’s Manual

Cylinders Can Explode if Damaged

  • Keep cylinders away from electrical circuits.
  • Use the right equipment, correct procedures and sufficient
    number of persons to lift and move cylinders.
Share

Tags: , ,
Posted in Welders | 10 Comments »

All About Plasma Arc Welding

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

Plasma Arc welding is a process which is very similar to TIG welding. It is a development of the TIG welding, which is designed to increase productivity.

Welding has been there for nearly thousand years and arc welding was developed over 100 years, but plasma arc welding came into existence since 1957.

Plasma is a mixture of positive ions, electrons and neutral gas molecules. Plasma arc welding is similar to other types of arc welding. But in case of plasma arc welding, electrode is inserted into a small nozzle. The major advantage of plasma arc method was the precision welds that could be made on thinner metals. Plasma Arc welding is the welding process utilizing heat generated by a constricted arc struck between a tungsten non-consumable electrode and either the work piece (transferred arc process) or water cooled constricting nozzle (non-transferred arc process).

Transferred arc process can be used for high speed welding and cutting of Ceramics, steels, Aluminum, alloys, copper alloys, Titanium alloys and Nickel alloys.

Plasma welding machines can be operated either manually or automatically. These produce straight and thin welds. Plasma arc welding remains one of the most economical and practical welding methods.

Benefits of Plasma arc welding are as follows:

  • High welding rate,
  • High penetrating capability and requires less operator skill.
Share

Tags: ,
Posted in Plasma Cutters | 3 Comments »

Welding Profession Is Growing Slowly

Monday, July 13th, 2009

In terms of employment, there are nearly half a million welders working in U.S. Due to shortage in supply, there is ample opportunity for good welders. Most of the welding work can’t be automated, so professional welders are required in most of the industries. Welding jobs are mostly required in manufacturing industries like automakers, commercial construction, bridge building – the list is endless. Welders can get certified at institutions like the American Welding Society.

On an average, a welder can earn nearly $15 per hour. An underwater welder can earn nearly $10,000 annually. This profession was considered for men only, but nowadays thousands of women make their living as welders. Women welders were used in shipbuilding during World War 2.

Welding work is used even in art community. Welding was used in certain art work which can be seen in Iron pillar of Delhi in India and in golden bowls, St. Louis’ Gateway arch and in Brussels Atomium.

Share

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Welders | 6 Comments »

What is Plasma Arc Welding?

Friday, July 10th, 2009

Plasma arc welding is mostly used in medical, aerospace and automotive industries. Most of the automotive industries use plasma arc welding for body panels and exhaust system components. Gas tungsten arc welding is used for low speed welding, while laser beam welding is selected for high speed welding. Plasma arc welding (PAW) has higher welding speed compared to Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). PAW is an arc welding process. In plasma arc welding, electrode is recessed in a nozzle that serves to constrict the arc.

PAW is not as fast as LBW, but the equipment cost is very less when compared to high-energy density equipment. Since PAW has lower current limit, along wit reliable arc starting, it is mostly used in medical and electronics industry. This type of welding is also used in automated applications because it has longer electrode life and no need for AVC.

PAW is also used in many applications that require high current. Making welds with PAW in keyhole mode minimizes the need for costly joint preparation and eliminates the need for filler metal while welding thicker sections. Most materials can be welded with PAW using direct current electrode negative (DCEN).

Share

Tags: , ,
Posted in Welders | 6 Comments »

Fundamentals of Arc Welding

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

Arc welding is one of the most popular types of welding. In simple terms, welding is a fusion process for joining metals. Metals should be melted together with extreme heat and fuse as one piece. If welding process is done correctly, two pieces of metal are joined together properly and termed as a single piece. Welding joint is given more importance than glue because with the help of welding process, metals can actually be melted together instead of using glue to hold them together.

There are various ways of welding but arc welding is the most popular among them. In arc welding, electric arc is used to produce intense heat. This arc is formed between the metal being worked on and an electrode connected to the arc welder. Electrode rod is moved along the joint and is melted by the electric arc. Rod can be used for two things: one reason is to produce arc and other is it makes a filler material as it is melted.

Arc welding creates an electrical circuit. Arc welder requires an electrical power source to make AC or DC current. An electric arc is created when electrode is held close to the metal. You will find an electrical circuit which will connect the arc welder and the metal. This process will create unbelievable temperatures. Tip of the arc can reach temperatures in excess of 6500 degree Fahrenheit. Due to extreme heat, metal pieces can fuse together and create a strong bond. To ignite the arc, electrode must be pressed against the metal and then pulled away.

Arc generally produces very bright light. This bright light can affect the welding operator and those working in the welding job site. Always wear a welding helmet and goggles before doing arc welding work. Arc can also harm naked eyes due to infrared or ultraviolet rays. To protect your eyes from these rays always wear auto darkening welding helmets.

Share

Tags: ,
Posted in Welders | 6 Comments »

Safety Steps To Be Followed While Arc Welding

Friday, June 19th, 2009

A student should know the dangers of arc welding before he/she starts it. The two factors that can lead to burns are high temperature arc and hot metal. Electric arc provides two types of rays like ultra violet and infra-red which can cause very severe burns to the eyes in a short period of time. Welding operator should always wear a helmet and other protective devices while welding so that he can protect himself from harmful rays. Filter plates in the welding helmet will remove 99% of the harmful rays if proper shade lens is used.

Electric shock and Harmful flames are other dangers associated with arc welding. Welding operator can get electric shock if he welds without gloves, bare cables, uninsulated holder etc. A welding operator should take all safety precautionary steps to protect him against any hazards. He can protect himself by wearing protective clothes, working in dry conditions, provide adequate ventilation etc.

There is a list of safety precautionary steps which a welding operator should be similar before arc welding:

Make sure you always wear leather gloves, cables are in good condition, electrode holders are properly insulated while welding. Do not stand on wet areas while welding. Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes and face. Wear protective clothing, leather gloves and high top shoes while welding. Handle hot metal with pliers or tongs. Keep electrode stubs properly disposed of. Always use a helmet with the correct shade lens while welding. Try working in ventilated areas. See to it that you have breathing devices in the working area. Never weld near inflammable materials.

Share

Tags: , ,
Posted in Welders | 4 Comments »

Plasma Arc Welding: For fine-tune jobs

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

The use of plasma arc welders has been around since the early 1960’s; and still today, this method of welding is useful for applications that no other type of welding can handle. Plasma arc welding offers more control to the job being performed and in lower current ranges. Primary applications of plasma welding include miniature and fine tune applications, especially when large quantities of welds are required.

The process of Plasma Arc Welding:

Plasma is a gas, which when heated to very high temperatures and ionized becomes electrically conductive. The plasma is used to create the arc that is then transferred to the item being welded. As with other types of welding, the weld is made by the metal of the piece melting under the heat of the arc applied to it.

The use of plasma welding produces a high quality and fine tune weld because of the design of the plasma welder itself. The torch is composed of a Tungsten electrode within a copper nozzle. In particular, the small opening at the end of the nozzle is what enables the plasma welder to be used for miniature welding jobs and fine details. Because the equipment produces a high intensity heat delivered to a small easily controlled area.

(more…)

Share

Tags:
Posted in Welders | 6 Comments »

Newer Entries »