Pipe is notoriously challenging to weld; welders must manage constant changes in arc length. Positioning as the welder moves around the pipe is seldom optimal. The difficulty is high enough that many would prefer to position the electrode in a fixed position and rotate the pipe beneath instead. This is…
Stainless steel is a critical material in a range of industries. Without it, the dairy, food, and beverage industry would have great difficulty in keeping food safe while producing it in industrial quantities. Similarly, the chemical and biopharmaceutical would find it impossible, or at least uneconomical, to operate as they…
The advantages of orbital welding vs. manual welding are well known. These include improved consistency, better precision, greater efficiency, and eliminating the physical demands contributing to substandard manual welds. Fully realizing these attributes, however, requires the best orbital welding technique, materials, and equipment. Orbital welding relies on automation to provide…
The history of orbital welding began with the need to fix a leaking pipe, albeit one that was destined to travel to the edge of space. From there, orbital welding heads grew to play a role in wastewater treatment, orbital sanitary welding for biopharmaceuticals, nuclear power, and even experiments on…
Pipe welding is particularly challenging because it requires welders to continuously transition through flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions. To address these pipe welding challenges and ensure high-quality, repeatable welds, orbital welding was developed. For optimal results, orbital welding systems must be programmed with these welding techniques. Likewise, machine operators…
Pipe and tube welding is hard. It is so difficult in fact that it has its own dedicated certification process called 5G to weld the circumference of a horizontal fixed pipe. This pipe cannot be moved to make things easier, and if a welder produces a qualified weld and receives…
Serving as a cornerstone for the fabrication and construction of metal structures, welding requires precision, skill, and attention to detail to create strong and durable weld joints. One small incident while welding can cause massive rework and potentially fatal injuries. Fortunately, there are safety procedures and devices that are put…
Autogenous orbital GTAW, or gas tungsten arc welding, is a highly specialized process that uses an automated welding system to join two pieces of metal without the need for filler metal. The process offers a high level of control and is popular in industries that need the highest quality and…
In welding, precision and efficiency are key factors that influence the quality and durability of the output. Among the different welding techniques, welders prefer gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and plasma arc welding (GTAW-P or PAW) to ensure accuracy and control in the fusion process. The similarities between the two…
The welding of pipe and tube is one of the most challenging types of welding. The need to move an electrode around the entire circumference of a pipe or tube complicates manual welding, as the welder needs to shift positions multiple times to complete the weld. This makes it extremely…