Basic Welding Guide; Mig (Gmaw/Fcaw) Basic Welding Technique - Thermal Arc 211i Fabricator Operating Manual

BASIC WELDING
SECTION 4:

BASIC WELDING GUIDE

4.01 MIG (GMAW/FCAW) Basic Welding
Technique
Two different welding processes are covered in this sec-
tion GMAW and FCAW, with the intention of providing the
very basic concepts in using the MIG mode of welding,
where a MIG Gun is hand held, and the electrode (welding
wire) is fed into a weld puddle, and the arc is shielded
by an inert welding grade shielding gas or inert welding
grade shielding gas mixture.
GAS METAL ARC WELDING (GMAW): This process, also
known as MIG welding, CO
short arc welding, dip transfer welding, wire welding etc.,
is an electric arc welding process which fuses together the
parts to be welded by heating them with an arc between
a solid continuous, consumable electrode and the work.
Shielding is obtained from an externally supplied welding
grade shielding gas or welding grade shielding gas mix-
ture. The process is normally applied semi automatically;
however the process may be operated automatically and
can be machine operated. The process can be used to
weld thin and fairly thick steels, and some non-ferrous
metals in all positions.
Shielding Gas
Molten Weld Metal
Solidified
Weld Metal
GMAW Process
Figure 4-1
FLUX CORED ARC WELDING (FCAW): This is an electric
arc welding process which fuses together the parts to be
welded by heating them with an arc between a continu-
ous flux filled electrode wire and the work. Shielding is
obtained through decomposition of the flux within the
tubular wire. Additional shielding may or may not be ob-
tained from an externally supplied gas or gas mixture. The
process is normally applied semi automatically; however
the process may be applied automatically or by machine. It
is commonly used to weld large diameter electrodes in the
flat and horizontal position and small electrode diameters
in all positions. The process is used to a lesser degree for
welding stainless steel and for overlay work.
Manual 0-5157
welding, Micro Wire Welding,
2
Nozzle
Electrode
Arc
Base Metal
Art # A-8991_AB
Shielding Gas
(Optional)
Molten Metal
Molten
Slag
Slag
Solidified
Weld Metal
FCAW Process
Position of MIG Gun
The angle of MIG Gun to the weld has an effect on the
width of the weld.
Push
The MIG Gun should be held at an angle to the weld joint.
(See Secondary Adjustment Variables below)
Hold the MIG Gun so that the welding seam is viewed at all
times. Always wear the welding helmet with proper filter
lenses and use the proper safety equipment.
Do NOT pull the MIG Gun back when the arc is
established. This will create excessive wire ex-
tension (stick-out) and make a very poor weld.
The electrode wire is not energized until the MIG Gun
trigger switch is depressed. The wire may therefore be
placed on the seam or joint prior to lowering the helmet.
5° to 15°
Longitudinal
Angle
90°
Transverse
Angle
Butt & Horizontal Welds
4-1
FABRICATOR 211i
Nozzle
(Optional)
Flux Cored
Electrode
Arc
Base Metal
Art # A-08992_AB
Figure 4-2
Vertical
Drag/Pull
Art # A-07185_AB
Figure 4-3
CAUTION
Direction of
Travel
Art # A-08993
Figure 4-4
BASIC WELDING