Metabo Welding Technology warranty Welding Glossary

WELDING GLOSSARY

Welding technology from A to Z.

AC DIODE INDUCTION COIL

Abbreviation for Alternating Current. Electrode and TIG welding can be carried out with direct current and alternating current. TIG aluminium welding must be carried out with alternating current.

ANALOGUE CURRENT SOURCE

A current source that is controlled by resistances. Formerly used in expensive industrial systems. Hardly used today due to high costs and inflexibility.

Electronic component (semi-conductor).	A coil wound with copper wire. Acts like an
Converts alternating current into direct	energy buffer and helps to optimise the
current one-way by a blocking effect.	welding current. Also see choke.

CHOKE

	INSULATION CLASS
A wound copper coil with iron core. Serves
	Specifies how hot the transformer’s
as energy storage unit. Provides a smooth,
low-splatter electric arc, thus achieving ideal	insulation may get without causing
welding results. Also see induction coil.	damage. The temperature is monitored
	by a thermal switch, e.g. F = 155°C.

ANTI-STICK MECHANISM

If the electrode gets stuck to the workpiece, the welding current is turned off. The electrode doesn‘t anneal and can be easily removed from the workpiece.

ARC-FORCE REGULATION

The welding output is kept constant at the set value as far as possible for electrode welding. The electric arc burns steadily (even with difficult electrodes or positions). Advantage: The welding result is more even.

BALANCE CONTROL

TIG AC welding. By shifting the ratio from negative proportion to positive proportion, more or less fusion penetration is achieved on the workpiece. As opposed to fusion penetration, the tungsten electrode gets hotter or colder.

IDLE POWER

Power consumed by a device from the mains that is not converted to welding power.

DUTY CYCLE

Theoretical value for the capacity of a welding device. Is calculated according to standards with 10 min. and specified in %. (e.g. 40% ED = 4 min. welding at max. output, 6 min. break). The device does not heat up too strongly, as it is switched off thermally.

FORMING GAS

Nitrogen or nitrogen with up to 50% hydro- gen. For protecting roots (opposite sides) of weld seams when welding high alloy steel before oxidation. The corrosion resistance is maintained.

GAS POST FLOW TIME

Adjustable time that lets the gas continue to flow after the welding process. Is for protecting the glowing tungsten electrode and the welded product from atmospheric influences.

RECTIFIER

For wiring multiple diodes. Converts alternating current into direct current multi-way by a blocking effect.

CONTACT IGNITION

Also called surface ignition. To ignite the electric arc during TIG welding, the tungsten needle must touch the workpiece. The disadvantage is that the tungsten needle easily sticks to the workpiece, thus damaging the needle. The electric arc is no longer as stable.

COOLING TYPE

Type of device cooling. F = external cooling (with fan), S = self-cooling (without fan).

SHORT LIGHT ARC

A MIG/MAG light arc in the low welding current range (thin sheet/root welding) with fine drop transition in the short circuit by the use of mixed gases or carbon dioxide.

LONG LIGHT ARC

MIG/MAG light arc with large drop transitions, non-short circuit-free, by the use of mixed gases or carbon dioxide. For weld seams on thick workpieces.

DC

Abbreviation for Direct Current. MIG/MAG welding for example, is carried out with direct current.

HIGH FREQUENCY IGNITION

Ignites the electric arc during TIG welding without touching the workpiece. Due to a high voltage pulse, the air gap between the workpiece and the tungsten needle is electrically conductive (ionised).

LIFT ARC IGNITION

Surface ignition during TIG welding with minimum current. The set welding current is only released after the ignition of the electric arc. The advantage is the gentle ignition without the tungsten needle sticking to the workpiece and thus a stable electric arc.

DIGITAL CURRENT SOURCE

Microprocessor-controlled current source.

HOT START

Hot-start ignition aid for igniting the electric arc of an electrode rod during electrode welding. The electric arc ignites immediately and steady due to an automatic and temporary increase of the welding current.

326