Spot Welding

Questions and Answers

Soldering by definition is a process performed below 450 deg C.  A review of the literature found that resistance methods are sometime used for soldering when open flames are not practical or permitted.  Automation is possible but manual operation is common. The electrodes are generally highly resistive as in graphite, carbon or tungsten. The carbon or graphite may be copper clad. The tungsten could be a copper tungsten RWAMA Class 11.

This process is using relatively hot electrodes to generate heat to help melt the solder.

Reference: ASM Handbook Vol. 6 Welding, Brazing, Soldering

This question has been answered already in another article in this blog:

IF COOLING WATER IS GROUNDED TO THE MACHINE AND PLANT WHY DOES CURRENT CONTINUE TO FLOW THROUGH THE ELECTRODES IN AC AND DC RESISTANCE WELDING

That article stated that the normal low voltage of 4-6 volts cannot overcome the resistivity of the water. Since the resistivity of the copper conductors is very low. The current flows preferentially (thousands of amperes) through the conductors and electrodes and a negligible amount flows through the water.

This assumes that the water is maintained properly as specified by:

AWS STANDARD J1.2 “GUIDE TO INSTALLATION AND MAINTANANCE OF RESISTANCE WELDING MACHINES”

Reference: AWS J1.2M:2016
                  Resistance Welding Manual, 4th Edition

In a normal spot weld set up, the pair of electrodes would be matched in alloy and face diameter in order to generate equal heat to the part from each side.  Certain applications due to material or part design dictate a change from this balanced approach.  Two electrodes of different alloys or design are frequently used to balance the heat and keep the nugget formation at the desired location. This is call “Heat Balancing”.

Another article in the blog describes “Heat Balancing”

“WHAT IS HEAT BALANCING”

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Indirect and series welds are very similar. They use similar machine and power set ups. The difference is that with indirect welding one pole off the transformer is connected to a pick-up conductor rather than an electrode. Therefore, the current returns to the transformer through this location but no weld is made. This process eliminates marking at the pickup point and the need for electrodes on the other side of the part when only when weld is required.

 Indirect weld191

Note that in each sketch one electrode is contoured/pointed to concentrate the heat and weld. The other is flat to dissipate the heat and make no weld. There will be little marking of the part on the back side and none at the pickup point.

The clinched part in “C” can be welded with virtually a full cosmetic weld on the back side. Shunting currents are still present as in series welds in “A”. Current can travel in the upper sheet without passing through the weld to reach the return contact.

If the distance to the pickup electrode is sufficient this can be reduced to a minimum. In example “B” there is no shunting current since the top work-piece does not touch the pickup electrode. All current had to pass through the weld to reach the return contact point.

If all the electrodes had contoured faces, then these would be series welds at all locations. Cosmetic welds would still occur opposite the electrodes.

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Voltage and current drops can be caused from two areas. One is the plant environment. The other is the wire mesh welder. If the plant does not have sufficient power or utility buss feed to the wire mesh welder problems can arise.  As the plant turns on equipment during the day the plant voltage can drop and the input voltage to the welder can suffer. Secondary voltage and current will drop.

Along with this, pneumatic cylinders can be affected in the same manner. If sufficient air plumbing is not supplied, air pressure can drop during the day and the resistance can change if force is not maintained.

Voltage Compensation

Internal changes on the welder which can affect the weld conditions are temperature, and resistances.

If the cooling water is not effectively cooling some component, it will heat up and become more resistant. If a joint connection heats up, it also may become loose and become more resistant. The conductors will be more resistant if hotter. This means less current due to higher resistance.  A frayed cable or broken shunt will have a higher resistance and not conduct properly. An overheated transformer does not perform as well. Proper cooling of all components is imperative.

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