What is a welding machine? The most popular types of welding machines on the market today

In the process of manufacturing and mechanical processing, we cannot lack a specialized hand tool, a welding machine. Join Tnhelearning.edu.vn to find out what a welding machine is and how many types of welding machines are available through this article!

What is a welding machine?

A welding machine is a tool used to bond two separate materials together through the use of one of two factors, heat and pressure. Some machines have a combination of the two and may or may not use additional materials.

Welding machines are divided into two types, including mechanical welding machines and electronic welding machines with different features and prices. Basically, there are two ways to weld: welding by melting the metal to be welded or both melting and adding welding materials.

When welding molten metal, in the position of the weld, the metal will reach a liquid state. If the source of that metal heating is turned off, the molten weld will condense to form a solid monolithic weld with a two-piece topology.

Welding machines are used in manufacturing and mechanical processing

Types of popular welding machines on the market today

Stick welding machine

Stick welding machine, also known as manual arc welding machine, because in the process, all welding operations are done by hand by the welder. Welding materials are mainly: stainless steel, iron, thin steel and should not be welded for non-ferrous materials.

The machine works on the principle of electric fusion welding using electrodes in the form of welding rods. At that time, the machine uses the heat of the arc between the shielded welding rod (SMAW) and the welding bath.

The machine is specialized for joining metal parts such as iron, steel, stainless steel, etc., together through the melting and adhesion of the weld metal and the solder. Reasonable machine price from 1.1 to 14.5 million (price updated on February 16, 2023, may change from time to time).

Stick welding machine can weld for less cleaned surfaces

Advantage:

• Welding can be done in any position in space.
• Can use both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC).
• The electrode cover itself provides a protective environment for the welding process.
• No shielding gas is used, so it is less affected by wind or the outside environment.
• Equipment has low cost, simple investment and high mobility.
• Stick welding technique can be applied on many metals with all welding positions from the largest thickness to the thinnest.

Stick welding machine has a variety of welding rod diameters to help weld a variety of materials

Defect:

• Low productivity due to limited welding strength, had to stop to change the welding rod.
• The shape, size and chemical composition of the weld are not uniform because the welding speed fluctuates and causes the base metal involved in the weld to change.
• The width of the heat affected zone is relatively large due to the small welding speed.
• Large metal splashes and slag striking.
• The working conditions of the welder are hazardous (due to radiation exposure, toxic vapors, toxic gases).

Stick welding machine works well on many materials, but still causes metal splashes

TIG . Welding Machine

TIG welding machine is a type of welding machine that applies Wolfram electrode welding technology in an inert gas environment (Argon gas, Helium gas, Argon – Helium mixture). Thanks to the inert gas, the weld will be protected from the ingress of the outside air.

The machine can be used for many metals such as: stainless steel, aluminum, magnesium, copper and copper alloys, nickel and nickel alloys and low carbon steels with different thicknesses, …

Most TIG welding machines usually not only help you weld TIG but also support rod welding or add Plasma cutting features , so the device will cost quite a bit from 3.5 to 19.5 million (updated price on 16/02/2023, may change over time).

TIG welding machine applies Wolfram electrode welding technology in the atmosphere of Argon, Helium

Advantages of TIG welding machine:

• Welding on all thicknesses because of the wide adjustment range (from 5 – 600A , voltage 10 – 35V ).
• Applicable on all high quality metals and alloys.
• For high quality welds, clean and free from splashes.
• It is possible to choose to use or not to use a filler rod to create a weld.
• Easily control weld pool shape and weld penetration.

TIG welding machine produces high quality, clean welds

Disadvantages of TIG welding machine:

• Productivity is not high.
• High demands on the skill of the welder.
• It costs a lot of money to invest in equipment and materials.

TIG welding machine has an average price of 3.5 – 19.5 million (price updated on 16/02/2023, may change over time)

MIG . Welding Machine

MIG welding machine is a type of machine that applies metal arc welding in an environment with a shielding gas (Argon or Helium inert gas). In which, the main electrode here is the molten solder wire, which is automatically fed into the solder.

The machine is equipped with a wire feeder (internal or external) to form a weld with the solidified molten metal. The machine is often used to weld non-ferrous metals and Al, Ni, Cu alloy steels, … and is widely used in the production of tables and chairs, vehicle frames, motorcycles, …

Due to the large machine capacity and strong welding ability, the machine has a higher cost than other machines, on average from 9.5 – 44.5 million (price updated on February 16, 2023, may change from time to time). .

Easy-to-use MIG welder, giving you high-speed welding

Advantage

• Fast, continuous welding speed, saving welding materials.
• The quality of the weld is higher than that of conventional rod welding with: flat, glossy welds, no welds visible.
• Less power consumption, save electricity costs.
• Welds most metals.
• Easy to automate.
• Long welds can be made without interruption.
• Low welding skill requirements still achieve high quality welds.
• Reduce welding smoke and spatter when welding, save cleaning time after welding, and cause less pollution.
• Improve welding productivity.
• Safe when using.

MIG welding machine can weld most metals

Defect

• MIG welding equipment is more expensive than stick welding.
• Poor flexibility, difficult to move.
• Heat radiation is quite high.
• Protective gas can be blown by the wind, making it difficult to use on construction sites.

MIG welding machines give off quite high heat radiation

Welding machine

Welding machines (also known as spot machines, short-circuit welding machines) help to link materials, in which the amount of heat used for the weld is generated by the resistance of an electric current as it passes through the part of the material being welded.

The product is considered as a kind of equipment with good support for the field of construction, connecting steel plates or other materials with a thickness of up to 0.125 inches , making construction work faster and more efficient. .

Depending on the size and welding ability, the price of the welding machine ranges from 12 – 80 million (price updated on February 16, 2023, may change from time to time).

Welding machine is a good support for the field of construction, linking steel plates

Advantage

• The device is controlled by the most advanced microchip system, which helps the equipment to operate correctly and with high efficiency.
• The weld is tight, solid and seamless.
• Fast welding speed.
• Suitable for automation and easy to incorporate into high-productivity lines along with other production steps.
• High productivity and automation.
• Low labor cost, no skilled labor required.
• Equipping with a control system helps to change the requirements of the function.
• The machine structure uses good conductive materials with high-grade secondary circuit to save power.
• Noise reduction due to the unique structure of the press welding machine.
• Safe for users because the whole system is applied extremely high insulation technique.
• Can connect 2 solder in complicated positions that other welding machines can not do.
• Welding many different metals such as iron, steel, copper compounds, cast iron, nickel, …

The welding machine helps to link 2 welding objects in complicated positions

Defect

• The machine is quite heavy, large and bulky.
• Welds with thick parts cannot be welded.
• The investment cost of the welding machine and the assembly is quite expensive.
• For some metals, welding surface treatment is required prior to welding.
• The cost of repairing the welding machine is higher than that of conventional electronic welding machines.
• Welding and control equipment repair and maintenance personnel are required to be qualified.

The welding machine cannot weld thick parts

Welding transformer

Welding transformers operate on the principle of AC transformers, which are manufactured for the purpose of connecting metal devices by melting and bonding of welding materials.

The machine is made up of large diameter copper coils, individually wound around a magnetic core. In particular, the magnetic core is made from thin technical steel sheets and is joined together.

The equipment is widely applied in mechanical engineering, iron engineering and construction with an average price of 3.5-12 million (price updated on 16/02/2023, may change over time).

Welding transformer has a powerful capacity, helping to quickly weld parts

Advantage

• Highly rated for safe use.
• Welding many different materials for beautiful, solid welds.
• Compact design so you can easily carry it anywhere.
• Easy to operate and use.
• Made from copper wire insulated by a layer of high heat resistant asbestos, the machine is very durable.
• Powerful power, helps to quickly weld parts.

Welding transformers are highly appreciated for their safety in use

Defect

• The price is quite high.
• It is not possible to weld aluminum materials because the machine does not yet support high temperature welding.
• Repair or maintenance of welding machines always requires skilled technicians.

Repair or maintenance of welding transformers always requires skilled technicians

Compare types of welding machines

Type of welding machine	Outstanding Features	Weight	Price
Stick welding machine	Operation is based on the principle of electric fusion welding using electrodes in the form of welding rods. Weld well outdoors and in windy places. Welds on less cleaned surfaces.	Average about 3 – 10kg .	The price is about 1.1 – 14.5 million .
TIG . Welding Machine	Apply welding technology with Wolfram electrode in an inert gas environment for welding. It is possible to control the amount of heat entering the weld pool, resulting in a beautiful weld.	Average about 6 – 20 kg .	The price is about 3.5 – 19.5 million .
MIG . Welding Machine	Applying metal arc welding in an environment with a shielding gas . Easy to use, high welding speed, produces less welding slag when welding materials.	Average about 7 – 50kg .	The price is about 9.5 – 44.5 million .
Welding machine	The amount of heat used for the weld is generated by the resistance of an electric current . Mainly used in light industry.	Average about 10 – 150kg .	The price is about 12 – 80 million .
Welding transformer	It works on the principle of an AC transformer . Weld a variety of materials. Compact design with wheels for easy movement.	Average about 20 – 130kg .	The price is about 3.5 – 12 million .

(Product prices were updated on February 16, 2023 and may change from time to time).

Above is an article that introduces you to what a welding machine is and information about the most popular types today. Hopefully with the above information, you can easily choose to buy a welding machine!