6-2. Typical MIG Process Control Settings

.These settings are guidelines only. Material and wire type, joint design, fitup, position, shielding gas, etc. affect settings. Test welds to be sure they comply to specifications.

Material thickness determines weld

 

parameters.

 

1/8 or 0.125 in

Convert Material

 

Thickness to

 

Amperage (A)

 

(0.001 in = 1 ampere)

 

0.125 in = 125 A

.035 in

Wire Size

Amperage Range

 

 

 

 

0.023 in

 

30 − 90 A

0.030 in

40 − 145 A

0.035 in

50 − 180 A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select Wire Size

 

 

Wire

 

Recommendation

 

Wire Speed

Select Wire Speed

 

 

Size

 

 

(Approx.)

(Amperage)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.023 in

 

3.5 in per ampere

3.5 x 125 A = 437 ipm

125 A based on 1/8 in

 

 

0.030 in

 

2 in per ampere

2 x 125 A = 250 ipm

material thickness

 

 

0.035 in

 

1.6 in per ampere

1.6 x 125 A = 200 ipm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ipm = inches per minute

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Low voltage: wire stubs into work

Select Voltage

 

 

 

High voltage: arc is unstable (spatter)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Set voltage midway between high/low voltage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voltage

controls height and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wire speed (amperage) controls weld

 

 

width of weld bead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

penetration (wire speed = burn-off rate)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OM-235 281 Page 32

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Hobart Welding Products 230 manual Typical MIG Process Control Settings, Wire Size Amperage Range, Select Voltage