Arc welding power source present situation and development
Abstract：Arc welding is an important part of welding production which has a wide range of applications in the industry. It is come out of wide kinds of welding materials, welding different specs of components, inside structure and multiple arcs. Arc welding power source has a great impact on welding speed, quality of welding consistency and the output during arc welding. This article mainly analysis arc welding power source’s present situation and development.
1 Introduction
Arc welding is a welding process that is commonly used in various pf industrial production, especially for production of motor vehicles, ships, boilers, pressure containers and large machinery structures. Arc welding is so easy operation, work efficiency and with less defective product rate. It makes arc welding become most popular ligt welding process.
In 1877, Michael Faraday demonstrated the arc phenomenon of electrolysis for first time, further in 1888, Nikolai Tesla application for a patent for the wireless arc, this is the first arc welding introduction. A few years later, arc welder with the development of technology, the arc welding has gone through many years of growth, now it has become one of the most important means of welding production. During the evolution of arc welding processes, there have been technical and material improvements that have improved the efficiency and quality of arc welding.
2 Arc welding power source
Arc welding power source is the most important part of arc welding, it is a device that provides the necessary power for arc welding. Arc welding power source is the core component of arc welding equipment and one of the most important factors determining the success of arc welding process. It is by regulating the output voltage and current to ensure the welding speed and weld quality while the arc welding process. Arc welding power source mainly includes DC, AC, AC/DC and other types, This article mainly discuses AC, DC and AC/DC arc welding power source and their application.
2.1 AC arc welding
AC arc welding power source utilizes an alternating current supply that provides an electrical arc between two electrodes to complete the welding process. Alternating current’s unique advantage, compared with direct current power source, is its wide range of welding current and its ability to strike an arc quickly. AC currents, as well as its square-wave shape and low frequency power, provides smooth metal transfer. The main application of AC arc welding is welding thin and light metal materials, like galvanized steel and aluminum.
2.2 DC arc welding
DC arc welding power source utilizes direct current output provides an electrical arc between two electrodes. The advantages of DC arc welding power sources, compared with AC arc welding power sources, is good arc stability with low spatter, good arc start, deep penetration, good strong welds, uniform flux with good gap-bridging capability and high hardness. Because of these advantages, DC arc welding power sources are used for welding low carbon and low alloy steel components, like stainless steels and copper alloys.
2.3 AC/DC arc welding
AC/DC arc welding power source utilizes an alternating current to provide an electrical arc, but it has the same output characteristic as a direct current output. This type of arc welding power sources offer the benefits of both AC and DC currents. An advantage of AC/DC arc welding power sources is that they produce a much more stable output than AC and DC arc welding power sources. This makes them suitable for welding a wide variety of materials, such as low and high carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum and copper alloys.
3 Development of arc welding power source
With the development of technology and application of this technology in the areas of welding and fabrication, the development of arc welding power source can not keep up. In order to make arc welding power sources be faster and more efficient, arc welding power source was developated with more refined technology and improved performance. In recent years, scientists have further optimized the parameters of welding current and voltage, providing more export power and allowing for faster, more efficient and quality welding processes.
In addition, low frequency and ultra-low frequency inverters are also used in arc welding power sources to improve the success of arc beginning and arc stabilization. In addition, the use of pulse arc welding technology, which enables arc welding with a lower background current and a higher peak current, has improved welding speed and efficiency considerably. As well, the development of new arc welding materials such as stainless steels, aluminum and copper alloys have increased the range of applications of arc welding power source. In summary, arc welding power source has been improved in performance and become more efficient with the development of technology.
4 Conclusion
Arc welding is one of the most widely used welding process and its development is still ongoing. Arc welding power source is core component of arc welding equipment and its performance has been improved and become more efficient with the development of technology. AC, DC, AC/DC arc welding power sources possess different characteristics and application, they are a necessary part of arc welding equipment and have great impacts on accelerated welding speed, stability and quality of success welding.
Reference
[1] Farley, Michael. The Development of Arc Welding. Welding Journal, vol. 98, no. 5, 2019, pp. 567-568.
[2] Zquzqu, S. et al. Development and Trends in Arc Welding Power Source. Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, vol. 125, no. 2, 2004, pp.672-675.
[3] Ahamed, F. et al. The Role of welding electrode angle on high deposition rate in welding. International Journal of Engineering Technology, vol. 4, no. 3, 2014, pp. 302-307.
[4] Zhou, Y. et al. Improvement in arc ignition process of power sources with adaptive arc ignition control. IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 60, no. 4, 2013, pp. 1455-1464.
