Welding Experience
I have been educated in the operation of MIG welding, and I have a small amount of experience in TIG welding. MIG stands for Metal Inert Gas, and TIG stands for Tungsten Inert Gas. What these titles refer to is the filler material in the welding setup used to join two different metal pieces together in the welding process. MIG welders operate by creating an electrical circuit between the metal welding table and a voltage source inside the welding unit. A current flows through the filler material in the welding gun, which is extended from the gun when the trigger is pulled. Upon contact with the two separate pieces of metal, the circuit is completed and a moving electric current is formed. The filler material is made of a magnesium alloy, and dissipates a lot of heat from the current as a result of its high resistance. This instantly melts the filler material, as well as the contact points of the two separate parts to be welded. The three components mix, and when they cool the weld is completed. The "Inert Gas" portion of the title refers to a neutral noble gas, such as argon or helium which is emitted from the welding gun and surrounds the area that is to be welded. This protects the hot weld from being contaminated by oxygen and other gases in the atmosphere which can cause the resulting weld to be brittle or unstable.
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This is a standard setup for a MIG welding gun. You can see where the electrode filler material ejects from the head of the gun. Not shown in this image is the rest of the welding setup, including a metal work table, a large gas canister of the inert gas, and the voltage supply as well as the small electric motor that feeds the spool of electrode through the tube attached to the welding gun and out the head of the gun. Below can be seen a diagram of the welding setup in its entirety.
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This is a standard setup for a MIG welding gun. You can see where the electrode filler material ejects from the head of the gun. Not shown in this image is the rest of the welding setup, including a metal work table, a large gas canister of the inert gas, and the voltage supply as well as the small electric motor that feeds the spool of electrode through the tube attached to the welding gun and out the head of the gun. Below can be seen a diagram of the welding setup in its entirety.
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