TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 327/1986
G B Melton
Scope
The increasing use of robotics and mechanisation of the metal inert gas (MIG) process has highlighted the difficulties in obtaining efficient arc initiation. If the arc does not start immediately, welding defects may occur, lengths of seam may be lost and snarl-ups in the wire feed system can lead to lost production.
In this report, the factors which affect arc initiation are considered; namely, the type and diameter of the wire, the wire tip preparation, the wire feed system, the power source and the welding cables. Published literature is reviewed and the results of a short experimental programme are presented.