Tig welding is one of the most popular welding processes for fabricating metal components. It’s quick, inexpensive, and requires only a small amount of machine space. On top of that, you get excellent joint quality from a Tig welder. Unless you are running a high volume production facility with multiple machines, many welders, and an ample supply of compatible fluxes, it’s highly likely that your Tig welder barely makes enough money to pay for the electricity it costs.
In this article we will discuss your tig welding gas flow rate different ways to increase your Tig welding machine’s profitability so that your operation doesn’t lose money every time someone tries to use it.
Batch Welding and Tig Gas Flow Rate
Batch welding is when you use the same size of metal and welding gas, but use it all in one shot. The result of this is that you save money on welding gas and, therefore, increase your profit margin. If possible, try to decrease the time between each weld so that you use less gas and thus spend less time welding. Tig welding is also useful if your welding machine is out of welding gas, but you have extra metal that you can weld.
Another important thing about batch welding is that you have to have a Tig welding machine that’s capable of doing batch welding. You can’t do it with a stick welder. A Tig machine with a batch unit built in is a good choice.
Adjusting the MIG Power Output
Mig welding machines are designed to run at a certain power level. Theoretically, you could weld as much as you want at this power level. That could also mean that you break your welding machine or damage your workpiece with excessive power. To avoid that, adjust the power output of your Tig welding so that you have to work a little harder to achieve the result. For example, if you’d weld a 2-inch piece of mild steel with a Tig machine running at its maximum output, you could damage the component if the weld is not perfectly straight and smooth.
You could damage the component if you weld at a low enough output. This is especially true with Tig welding if you are working on small components because the arc tends to be brighter at low power. In this case, the weld will be able to work through a lot of imperfections on the component.
Tig Welding Gas Pressure
Tif welding gas flow rate are typically between 10 and 30 cubic feet per hour. When the shielding gas exits the nozzle, it has a different velocity than that of the atmospheric gases surrounding it. You could weld as much as you want at this flow rate. That could also mean that you break your welding machine or damage your workpiece with excessive gas flow rate.
To avoid that, adjust the flow rate of your welding machine so that you have to work a little harder to achieve the same result. There’s a lot of debate about the best Tig welding gas flow rate.
The lower the flow rate, the less heat is transferred to the component, the less welder current is used, and there is the less spatter. The higher the flow rate, the more spatter there is, and the more likely you are to damage the component. Many welders will recommend going as high as possible but as low as necessary to keep the component intact.
Automated Volt-Ohm Arc Welding (VOVAW) Gas Flow Rate
VOVAW is a new and improved welding process that’s gaining popularity. This process works with a high voltage current and low amperage to create a weld with minimal spatter in a very short amount of time. The amount of welding that can be done with a Tig machine at this flow rate is limited by the amount of welding gas that can be used. VOVAW can also be used with stick welding equipment, but it’s not as common in the Tig world. Because a Tig welding machine is used for VOVAW, you have a lot of flexibility when it comes to adjusting the flow rate.
In order to get the best VOVAW performance from your welding machine, you have to adjust the tig welding gas flow rate. The most common way to do this is to adjust the Tig welding machine’s pneumatic cylinder pressure. You can also use a Tig machine with a built-in pressure regulator. This isn’t recommended – the regulator is for safety, not for profit.
Precision Arc Welding , Sticky W, and Flux-Cored Arc welding Gas Flow Rate
Like the other welding processes we discussed previously, the tig welding gas flow rate for these is also determined by the weld size, joint size, and the Tig welding machine’s size. The flow rate is also dependent on factors, such as the welding joint’s geometry, the amount of filler metal, and the welding electrode’s characteristics. One of the biggest factors that affects the flow rate is the welding rod’s characteristics.
The welding rod is crucial to the flow rate. Even more crucial is the stick. The stick has to break the weld’s gas formation at the base of the weld and the stick has to create a clean, smooth weld. The best sticks have a very smooth, consistent, and comfortable feel when they touch the workpiece.