Angle to Work
- The work angle is the forward back angle of the gun relative to the work piece.
The correct work angle provides good bead shape, prevents undercut, uneven penetration, poor
gas shield and poor quality finished weld.
Stick Out
- Stick out is the length of the unmelted wire protruding from the end of the contact tip.
A constant even stick out of 5-10mm will produce a stable arc, and an even current flow providing
good penetration and even fusion. Too short stick out will cause an unstable weld pool, produce
spatter and over heat the contact tip. Too long stick out will cause an unstable arc, lack of
penetration, lack of fusion and increase spatter.
Travel Speed
- Travel speed is the rate that the gun is moved along the weld joint and is usually
measured in mm per minute. Travel speeds can vary depending on conditions and the welders skill
and is limited to the welders ability to control the weld pool. Push technique allows faster travel
speeds than Drag technique. Gas flow must also correspond with the travel speed, increasing with
faster travel speed and decreasing with slower speed. Travel speed needs to match the amperage
and will decrease as the material thickness and amperage increase.
