A Guide to Choosing the Best Industrial Welding Machines

Date Posted:15 May 2023

Welding machines have become crucial in various industrial applications. These devices join metals and other materials to create durable structures. They've also revolutionised the manufacturing and construction industries, helping to maximise efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the quality of finished products.

However, creating these structures goes beyond plugging these machines and joining two materials. You must also select the best one to ensure operator safety and improve efficiency.

If you want to improve work efficiency and welding skills, this article will help you pick the suitable welding machine and the features to compare. We'll also help you use compressed gas for welding.

5 Tips for Picking the Right Welding Machine

This section will enumerate five steps to help you find the best welding device for your industrial needs.

1. Determine What Metal You’ll Weld

Before selecting a welding machine, you must assess the metal. People can weld carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminium. Carbon steel is the quickest material to weld, stainless steel requires less current, and aluminium needs more complex machines.

You can use stick electrodes for stainless steel, but they produce more spatter. In contrast, metal inert gas (MIG) welding works best for carbon steel. On the other hand, aluminium and exotic metals require tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, which can be costly.

2. Know the Compressed Gas Requirements

Different welding processes need various gases depending on the type of welding, metal, position, and environment. MIG welding machines use argon and carbon dioxide, while TIG uses pure argon with the possibility of helium. On the other hand, oxyfuel welding only needs fuel gas and oxygen.

3. Choose the Ideal Welding Location

You must consider where to use the welding machine and choose the appropriate power supply. 115-volt input power is ideal for entry-level arc welding machines, while most devices use a 220/240 volts AC high-power circuit. You should also know that the three-phase power is only for industrial places. Moreover, off-grid welding needs engine-driven welders, while stick welding or flux-cored wire in a MIG machine are better options for windy conditions.

4. Check the Spec Sheet

The device’s specifications sheet will help you identify its quality by indicating how much continuous work the welding machine can do in ten minutes. Don’t exceed this limit, as the appliance can overheat and suffer damage.

5. Select the Most Suitable Amperage Range

You can ensure successful welding by selecting the correct amperage using a chart or estimating one amp per thousandth of an inch of electrode diameter. You should also adjust as necessary and test with one pass for thin metals or multiple passes for thicker metals. Moreover, remember that different materials require varying amounts of heat.

What Are the Crucial Features You Should Compare?

When finding the best welding machine for your industrial applications, you must compare three crucial features: duty cycle, open-circuit voltage (OCV), and thermal overload protection.

The duty cycle is when a device can work in ten minutes, with different machines having varying duty cycles. In contrast, OCV is the voltage from a welding torch when not in use, affecting the electrode's performance. On the other hand, you need thermal overload protection to prevent overheating and damage to the welding machine.

What to Remember When Using Compressed Gas for Welding

When using compressed gas for welding, you must prioritise safety and storage requirements. You should also research tank sizes based on usage and ensure your supplier will refill them. Moreover, remember that different materials need various gases and require separate tanks.

Compressed gas saves money on filler rods, but workers generally use oxy-acetylene for torch cutting due to high costs.

Conclusion

Devices like TIG and MIG welding machines have revolutionised many sectors, but you must select the best one to ensure the best results. You can improve your product’s quality by considering your situation, comparing features, and prioritising safety.

If your property needs a high-quality MIG welding machine in Australia, visit National Welding and Industrial Supplies! We’re a leading supplier of high-quality industrial tools and equipment to suit all your welding needs. Shop our products now!

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