Welding is a metal joining process used in various industries. Be it construction, automobiles or electronics, it joins metals together to make a weld. You can discover different types of welding machines catering to multiple industries. Read through this blog to learn about the top 10 different types of welding machine along with their advantages and disadvantages.
Kinds of Welding Machine
Let us explore different types of welders machines in detail:
1. Metal Inert Gas Welding Machine
MIG welding machines are one of the most popular welding machines. These use a continuous electrode wire and an inert gas shield in the welding gun.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Simple to learn and operate, making it ideal for beginners. | Requires a clean work surface; contaminants can affect weld quality. |
| Faster welding process. | Not ideal for outdoor or windy conditions as shielding gas can be disrupted. |
2. TIG Welding Machine
The TIG welding machine (Tungsten Inert Gas) is renowned for its high-quality welding. TIG welders use non-consumable tungsten electrodes with an independent filler material to weld aluminium, steel, manganese, copper, brass, etc.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Produces precise, clean, and high-quality welds. | Welding speed is slow. |
| Works well with thin and delicate materials. | Requires skilled personnel for welding. |
3. Stick Welding Machine
Also known as a Shielded metal arc welding machine, this type of welding machine generates heat by passing an electric current between a base metal and an electric rod. The filler rod of the stick welding machine is coated with a flux to protect it from contamination.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Simple and easy to set up. | Produces more slag, requiring cleanup. |
| Works well in outdoor and windy conditions. | Not ideal for thin materials due to excessive heat. |
| Cost-effective and widely available. | Requires more skill to achieve a clean weld. |
4. Flux-Cored Arc Welding Machine
FCAW welders work with electrodes covered in flux, which serves as a replacement for shielding gas requirements. These welding machines operate effectively in both indoor and outdoor applications.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Produces clean welds with a high deposition rate. | It is costly compared to other welding machines. |
| Suitable for welding thick materials. | Not easy to handle. |
5. Plasma Arc Welding Machine
The PAW welding machine is also known as the Plasma Transferred Arc welding machine. It’s small pieces of tungsten create an anode setup to deliver accurate welds, which remain pristine.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| It produces clean and precise welds. | It is an expensive welding machine. |
| Works at a high welding speed. | Requires skilled operators for welding. |
| Minimum heat-affected areas. |
6. Laser Welding Machine
This welding machine is mostly used in high-end technology industries. It generates automated welds of precise accuracy with superior strength through the fiber laser beam process.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| It offers high precision and accuracy. | The initial cost is high. |
| Produces minimal distortion and heat-affected zones. | Limited to thin and delicate materials. |
7. Energy Beam Welding Machine
The welding technique known as Energy beam welding operates in vacuum conditions. The focused electrons join various materials, even when these materials are dissimilar.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Produces minimal heat distortion on welded surfaces. | Not suitable for home applications. |
| It offers versatile applications. |
8. Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) Machine
The Submerged Arc welding machine uses powder flux instead of gas shielding to weld materials automatically or semi-automatically.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| High welding speed and deposition rate. | It is limited to horizontal or flat welds. |
| Excellent weld quality. | Requires flux handling and recovery. |
| Minimal spatter and fumes. |
9. Oxyacetylene Gas Welding Machine
Oxyacetylene gas welding machines function through the combination of oxygen and acetylene. This combination produces heat that is effective enough for welding thin materials.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| It is an easy-to-handle and portable welder. | Restricted to ferrous materials. |
| It is a low-cost welding machine. | Not suitable for thick materials. |
10. Atomic Hydrogen Welding Machine
AHW welding machine achieves precise welding with its two tungsten electrode system, which uses hydrogen shielding gas.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| It offers high precision and accuracy. | It’s costlier than MIG welders. |
| Produces strong and clean welds. | Requires skilled personnel to handle. |
Wrapping Up
Be it any industry, from aerospace, electronics, automobiles, water tanks, construction or even shipbuilding, there is a welding machine for it. All you have to do is analyse the pros and cons of a welding machine before purchasing one for your needs. L&T SuFin has different types of welding machine, each serving different business purposes. Moreover, we also offer logistics and financial support to make your deal easier.
FAQ’s
What is the full form of MIG?
Metal Inert Gas welding is the full name of MIG welding, which is also called Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW).
What does TIG stand for?
TIG stands for Tungsten Inert Gas welding, which is also known as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW).
What do the 5s in welding stand for?
The 5S in welding basically stands for the principles that guide us at the workplace. These include:
- SORT: You should discard all unnecessary tools and materials.
- SET IN ORDER: The tools must be arranged for quick access according to the Set in Order principle.
- SHINE: The workspace needs to be maintained clean and well-kept.
- Standardise: The system requires consistent procedure development to achieve efficiency.
- SUSTAIN: The key principle of sustain directs businesses to preserve their discipline while continuing to advance.
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