CIGWELD weldskill 100, Operating Manual, Page: 41 / 60

weldskill 100, 135, 150 MiG
4-5
Operation
4.05 Basic Welding Technique
Two different welding processes are covered in this
section, with the intention of providing the very basic
concepts in using the Mig mode of welding, where a
welding gun is hand held, and the electrode (welding
wire) is fed into a weld puddle, and the arc is shielded
by a gas or gas mixture.
GAS METAL ARC WELDING (GMAW): This process,
also known as MIG welding, CO2 welding, Micro Wire
Welding, 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 gas or gas mixture. The process
is normally applied semiautomatically; 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.
Art # A-8991_AB
Shielding Gas
Molten Weld Metal
Solidified
Weld Metal
Nozzle
Electrode
Arc
Base Metal
GMAW Process
Figure 4-5
FLUX CORED ARC WELDING (FCAW): This is an elec-
tric arc welding process which fuses together the parts
to be welded by heating them with an arc between a
continuous 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 obtained from an externally supplied
gas or gas mixture. The process is normally applied
semiautomatically; however the process may be ap-
plied 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.
Art # A-08992_AB
Molten
Slag
Nozzle
(Optional)
FCAW Process
Flux Cored
Electrode
Arc
Shielding Gas
(Optional)
Slag
Molten Metal
Base Metal
Solidified
Weld Metal
Figure 4-6
Position of MiG Torch
The angle of MIG torch to the weld has an effect on
the width of the weld.
Push Vertical Drag/Pull
Art # A-07185_AB
Figure 4-7
The welding gun should be held at an angle to the weld
joint. (see Secondary Adjustment Variables below)
Hold the 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.
CAUTION
Do not pull the welding gun back when the
arc is established. This will create exces-
sive wire extension (stick-out) and make
a very poor weld.
The electrode wire is not energized until the gun
trigger switch is depressed. The wire may therefore
be placed on the seam or joint prior to lowering the
helmet.
Butt & Horizontal Welds
Direction of
Travel
5° to 15°
Longitudinal
Angle
90°
Transverse
Angle
Art # A-08993
Figure 4-8