The job of a welder is to join metal pieces together. This can include welding sculptures or fixing structural damage to buildings. Earn money and get yourself in a welding course. Play simple and interactive betting games at ONCAPAN.
Shielded Metal Arc Welding, or stick welding, is a manual arc method that uses a consumable electrode covered in flux as its metal transfer method. This welding process is ideal for outdoor or thick metal applications. Learn all you need about it taking a Stick Welding course.
Welding Positions
A welding position is the way in which a welder holds the electrode in contact with the workpiece. The position determines how the weld is made, and how it can be altered to improve the quality of the weld.
Position can be affected by a number of factors, such as the welding process, joint configuration, or thickness of the base materials. Combining these factors can make certain positions more suitable for particular applications. The different welding positions are important for welders to master because they provide versatility and help to produce code-quality welds.
The flat position is the most common and easiest welding position. The weld puddle in this position is fluid, making it easier to maintain the proper weld depth and width. It is important to remember that a flat position is difficult to maintain because the weld puddle is more prone to gravity.
The vertical position involves welding along the side of a joint. This position is used to weld horizontally oriented pipes or plates. Gravity tends to cause the weld pool in this position to sag, making it more difficult to weld. In a vertical position, the travel speed must be carefully controlled to avoid undercutting as well as ensure good penetration and a bead shape.
Welding Techniques
You can use your welding skills to transform the world’s toughest materials into the shapes and products that you want. Welding can be a rewarding hobby. But whether you want to weld just for fun or are considering using your skills as a pathway into a career, it takes work and practice to learn to weld properly.
Shielded Metal Arc Welding is one of the most common welding techniques. In this type of welding, you use a protected and consumable electrode covered in flux to create an electric arc that joins two metal parts together. It is commonly used in construction, industrial fabrication, and to weld cast iron, steel, nickel, and copper. It is not used to weld aluminium.
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) is another popular welding technique. This process uses a consumable tungsten rod to produce the weld. It can be used to weld both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. It can be used on both thick and thin sections of metal, but it is less versatile than SMAW or FCAW when it comes to joining thinner pieces of metal. It is best used to weld thicker sections of steel, such as those found in structural supports.
Safety
Safety is the top priority in any welding course. The high temperatures required for welding can cause explosions and fires, while the sparks produced by the welding process can burn unprotected flesh. Keep your skin covered as bare flesh can be exposed by harmful infrared or ultraviolet rays. Wearing loose clothing can catch fire. It’s best to wear long trousers and a shirt made of tightly woven material.
In the GMAW-2 course, students will build on their previous learning to develop skills for gas metal arc welding (GMAW). This includes preparing metal for welding, identifying the different types of shielding gas, changing gun tips, and cleaning equipment. Students will practice a variety of welding positions on steel and aluminum in horizontal, vertical, and overhead planes, including lap, tee, and butt joints with backing joints.
The most common danger in a welding course is electrical shock. Electrical shock can happen if you touch wet or internal parts of equipment, close the circuit between electrode holder and grounded base metal, or if you touch live wires coming from a power supply. To avoid these hazards, ensure your work area is properly protected, never touch your electrode holder directly with your skin or fingers, and don’t use it on anything explosive or flammable.
