5 OPERATION
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© ESAB AB 2021
An arc is formed between the carbon rod and the workpiece, which melts the material.
Compressed air is supplied, so the melted material is blown away.
For arc air gouging the power source must be supplemented with:
• ARCAIR torches
• compressed air
• Return cable with clamp
NOTE!
The minimum and maximum settings are starting points for the rods indicated; with
relatively clean metal, an acceptable gouge groove should be expected. These
specific recommendations are based on the result of tests carried out on A36/ASME
mild steel.
For different types of metal, adjust the volt setting and air flow for better
performance.
For any gouging issues other than performance, see the TROUBLESHOOTING
section.
SMAW welding
SMAW welding may also be referred to as welding with coated electrodes. Striking the arc
melts the electrode, and its coating forms protective slag.
For SMAW welding, the power source must be supplemented with:
• Welding cable with electrode holder
• Return cable with clamp
GMAW and self-shielded, cored wire welding
An arc melts a continuously supplied wire. The weld pool is protected by shielding gas.
For GMAW and self-shielded, cored wire welding, the power source must be supplemented
with:
• wire feed unit
• welding torch
• connection cable between power source and wire feed unit
• gas cylinder
• Return cable with clamp
