What Is an Arc Welding Machine? | Welding

00:03:30
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdrVwsQIgao

Summary

TLDRArc welding, specifically shielded metal arc welding (stick welding), creates heat through electrical resistance, forming an arc where electricity jumps between objects completing a circuit. An arc welder consists of a power source and two leads: a ground clamp and an electrode holder with the electrode. The welding machine can be set to AC or DC current to cater to specific metal types like aluminum, bronze, or cast iron using specialty rods. The welding process involves a metallic electrode with a flux core, which melts to create an inert atmosphere that aids the welding operation. Adjusting amperage controls the heat; higher amperage increases heat for thicker materials. Proper ventilation is essential to avoid inhaling fumes from the flux.

Takeaways

  • ⚡ Arc welding generates heat through electrical resistance, forming an electric arc between materials.
  • 🔌 The welding machine can be set to AC or DC current depending on the material type being welded.
  • 🛠️ The electrode in stick welding is core to the process, melting to create necessary conditions for welding.
  • 🌬️ Proper ventilation is essential due to the release of toxic fumes from burning flux.
  • 🌀 Heat is regulated by controlling the amperage; more heat is needed for thicker materials.
  • 📏 Specialty welding, like on aluminum or cast iron, may use different current settings.
  • 📉 Lower amperage is used for typical day-to-day welding tasks, generally between 70-100 amps.
  • 👃 Avoid breathing in fumes directly to protect health.
  • 🔀 DC positive or negative controls electron flow direction for specific welding processes.
  • 💡 A basic understanding of electrical principles aids in operating welding equipment safely.

Timeline

  • 00:00:00 - 00:03:30

    Arc welding, specifically shielded metal arc welding or "stick welding", uses electrical resistance to generate heat necessary for the welding process. An arc welding machine builds up electrical potential, similar to how static electricity works, where electricity jumps between objects to complete a circuit. This is achieved using two leads: a ground clamp and an electrode holder. The welder discussed is an AC-DC arc welder, which can operate with either AC or DC current, the choice of which depends on the specific welding process. Welding certain materials, like aluminum, requires specific settings or rods. Controlling the welder involves adjusting the amperage using a scale on the machine. A key component in the process is the electrode, consisting of a metal core and a flux. As it melts, the flux burns, creating an inert atmosphere that facilitates metal flow while also producing harmful fumes, necessitating proper ventilation.

Mind Map

Video Q&A

  • What is arc welding?

    Arc welding is a welding process that uses electrical resistance to generate heat needed for welding.

  • What does shielded metal arc welding involve?

    It involves using an electrode to complete an electrical circuit, creating an arc that generates heat for welding.

  • How does an arc welder work?

    An arc welder uses electrical potential to create an arc, which involves electricity jumping from one object to another to complete a circuit.

  • What types of current are used in arc welding?

    Arc welding can use AC or DC current, with DC positive or negative used for specialized welding tasks.

  • How is the heat controlled in arc welding?

    The heat is controlled by adjusting the amperage on the welder, with higher amperage creating more heat.

  • What role does the welding electrode play?

    The electrode, which is a metal alloy core surrounded by flux, melts during welding, and its flux burns to create an inert atmosphere.

  • Why is ventilation important in arc welding?

    Ventilation is crucial to avoid inhaling irritating fumes produced by the burning flux during the arc welding process.

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  • 00:00:05
    What is arc welding?
  • 00:00:06
    Today I'm going to be talking about and demonstrating shielded metal arc welding that's sometimes
  • 00:00:11
    referred to as stick welding.
  • 00:00:13
    Arc welding creates heat for the welding process through a process of electrical resistance.
  • 00:00:19
    The arc welding machine builds up electrical potential in the same way that all of you
  • 00:00:24
    have experienced by shuffling your feet on a carpeted floor and touching you hand to
  • 00:00:29
    the door knob and receiving that rude shock.
  • 00:00:32
    The arc in arc welding comes from the fact that the electricity literally jumps from
  • 00:00:36
    one object to another completing a circuit.
  • 00:00:40
    To complete this electrical circuit, the arc welder has two different leads.
  • 00:00:45
    Their ground clamp, which is attached to the table, or to their work, and your electrode
  • 00:00:51
    holder, which holds the electrode, which completes the circuit.
  • 00:00:59
    Now I want to talk to you about set up and operation of the welding machine.
  • 00:01:03
    What you're looking at here is a typical AC-DC arc welder.
  • 00:01:09
    Up on this side of the welder there's a handle where you can change the type of current that
  • 00:01:13
    runs through the machine.
  • 00:01:15
    Most of the welding processes we're going to use use simple AC current.
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    That is the same kind of current that comes out of the outlets in your house and runs
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    your lights.
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    This welder can also be set to DC positive, or DC negative, which actually controls the
  • 00:01:31
    direction the electricity flows through the leads of the welder.
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    This is used for certain specialty processes such as welding aluminum, bronze and cast
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    iron for the appropriate specialty rods.
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    Every arc welder has an on/off switch.
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    On.
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    Off.
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    Also some way to control the amp ridge.
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    All right?
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    Down here on the bottom of the welder you can see two scales.
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    The upper scale is an AC amp ridge and the lower is a DC amp ridge.
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    Amp ridge measures current not voltage.
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    By turning this wheel clockwise I make the level of current and therefore heat go down.
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    By turning it counterclockwise, I turn the current up.
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    I make the weld hotter.
  • 00:02:24
    Most welding that we'll talk about that people do on a day to day basis operates at fairly
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    low amp ridges somewhere between 70-100 amps.
  • 00:02:40
    The thicker the material, the higher the heat, the thicker the rod.
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    A crucial part of the arc welding process is the welding electrode.
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    The electrode has two components.
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    It's metal alloy core surrounded by a hard flux.
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    During the welding process as the metal alloy rod melts, the flux core burns.
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    As it burns it creates an inert atmosphere at the welding tip that allows the metal to
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    flow.
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    The melting alloy rod and the flux can create very obnoxious and irritating fumes and you
  • 00:03:17
    should avoid breathing them directly if at all possible.
  • 00:03:21
    It's very important to have adequate, sufficient ventilation when performing a shielded metal
  • 00:03:26
    arc welding.
Tags
  • arc welding
  • shielded metal arc welding
  • stick welding
  • electrical resistance
  • welding electrode
  • AC DC current
  • ventilation