Welding Machines

Welding machines and joining machines encompass those devices that are used for numerous joining processes. These processes include:

• arc welding (MIG, TIG, stick, submerged arc)
• resistance welding
• laser welding
  
• electron beam welding
  
• stud welding
  
• orbital welding
  
• wave soldering
  
• hot dip brazing
  
• torch brazing
  
• induction brazing
  
• ultrasonic
  
• friction welding

Complete Welding Machine Systems

Welding machines and joining machines can be supplied as complete systems, which come with a welding power source, and a weld monitor or controller.

A complete welding machine or joining machine system is comprised of a complete welding, surfacing, or cutting machine, equipment, or system. Also included are a power source, torch or gun, cables, feeders, positioners, robots, or other required components.

A power source for a welding machine or a joining machine provides a TIG gun, MIG gun, electrode holder, laser, electron beam gun or other welding unit with the required output power to melt material.

Welding monitors or controllers for welding machines are instruments that
sense welding quality (nugget size or weld integrity) or output power supply
variations. Also, welder controllers are used to adjust welding parameters to
compensate for variations in weld quality or output power.

Among the arc or resistance-welding types that apply to welding machines and joining machines are:

• Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
  
• Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
  
• Multi-process
  
• Orbital / Tube Arc Welding
  
• Plasma arc welding
  
• Flash welding
  
• Projection welding
  
• Resistance seam welding
  
• Spot welding
  
• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
  
• stud arc welding
  
• Submerged arc welding (SAW)
  
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)

Frictional or other fusion welding types that apply to weld machines and
joining machines include:

• Electron beam welding
  
• friction welding
  
• Hot plate welding
  
• plastic welding
  
• Laser welding
  
• Oxyfuel welding
  
• Thermite or exothermic welding
  
• ultrasonic or linear friction welding

You must consider output power specifications when looking into entire welding machine systems and/or joining machine systems, as well as the power systems for these machines. You need to be aware of the duty cycle, or the percentage of time the welding unit can remain on in a ten-minute period before powering off to cool and prevent damage to components.

Check the output power capability specifications, which include AC output, DC output, AC/DC selectable output, and high frequency. Find out what the output current range of the welding or joining machine system is. (This is the designed current range of the welding unit or the current range monitored or controlled.) Also look at the output voltage range, which is the designed voltage range of the welding unit or the voltage range monitored or controlled.

Engine-driven generators, machine duty or corrosion resistance, multi-operator, and water-cooled are features that are common to welding and joining machines.

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