A Potential Solution to GMAW Gas Flow Optimisation

There is an ongoing drive to develop cost savings and reduce carbon footprints. One area where this could be done simultaneously in the gas shielded welding processes is by reducing the gas consumption. One system has undergone detailed evaluation in an effort to fully understand the full benefits that could be obtained. The particular system was investigated to more fully evaluate the claims and understand the key aspects of its operating performance.. This is an electromagnetically controlled system, which has been identified as reducing the initial gas surge at the start of welding and also having an extremely rapid shut off with a virtually instant decay of gas flow.  These particular characteristics have been found to be ideally suited to saving shielding gas when carrying out intermittent or stitch welding.

A series of trials have been carried out using laser backlighting to show actual gas flow, with and without side drafts. In addition this technique identified a pulsing effect within the gas flow. It was also established that the use of this valve generated deeper penetration in fillet welds, which in turn has created potential benefits to increase welding speed, and there fore reduce gas usage. The combination of reducing gas surge and slow decay with faster welding has been shown to meet the drive for cost savings and improving the carbon footprint