Orbital Welding Facts
Orbital welding is a technique in which a welding arc orbits, or rotates 360 degrees, around the weld joint between two stationary metal pieces, such as pipes or tubes. Orbital welding relies on a continuous weld by machine instead of traditional welding by hand because of the precision necessary to the welding process. A machine ensures consistent surface tension along the welding arc while the welding torch completes an uninterrupted orbit around a weld joint.
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Compatablility
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Orbital welding is a specialized area of Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding that involves non-consumable tungsten electrodes and wire feeding if necessary depending on the task. A weld that does not require a wire to act as a filler metal is an autogenous weld. Orbital welding is compatible with several types of metals, such as nickel alloys, aluminum, copper, titanium, carbon steel and high-strength steel that is resistant to corrosion and that can withstand high temperatures.
Orbital Welding System
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An orbital welding system comprises a power source, a controller, a welding head and wire-feeding mechanism for tasks that require wire feeding. The power source and controller regulate factors such as the welding speed, the length of the welding arc, the shielding gas, and the magnitude and frequency of the welding current.
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Orbital Welding Machine
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An orbital welding machine rotates a tungsten electrode welding arc around the weld joint of two separate pieces of metal pipe or tubing to join them together. A power source regulates the weld current as the weld head moves along its orbit around the weld joint and drives the motor that moves the weld head.
Size of Pipes And Tubes
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Orbital welding utilizes an enclosed weld head that is ideal for use on metal pipes and tubes with diameters ranging between 1.6 mm and 152 mm with a thickness of up to 3.9 mm, according to Pro Fusion Online. An enclosed weld head supplies an inert atmosphere chamber around the weld joint between two pieces of metal pipe or tubing. An open style orbital weld head can accommodate thicker metals with a larger diameter.
Uses
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Orbital welding is used in the production of equipment and materials for industries such as aerospace, shipbuilding, automobiles, biotechnology, chemical engineering, pharmaceuticals and food processing. Orbital welding is used in the semiconductor industry in the production of cleanroom components. Orbital welding is also used on the metal pipes and tubes that are part of heavy industry equipment. Orbital welding was first utilized in the 1960s in joining hydraulic lines for heavy industry equipment in the aerospace industry, according to Pro Fusion Online.
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References
- Photo Credit welding image by glgec from Fotolia.com
