When using a consumable-electrode process such as gas metal arc welding (GMAW) or submerged arc welding (SAW), the three primary process variables are arc current, wire feed speed (the rate at which the consumable electrode is fed from the welding torch), and arc voltage. Current and wire-feed-speed cannot be varied independently. To maintain the same […]
Read MoreSubmerged arc welding (SAW) is a high deposition rate process when compared to gas metal arc welding (GMAW) or gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). Certain applications such as large flat panels, girth welds in pipe, or spiral pipe mills can benefit from techniques used to increase the deposition rate, and consequently, the productivity of the […]
Read MorePlasma arc welding (PAW) is very similar to gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). If you look at the schematic shown in Figure 1 you can see that the arc in PAW is created between a non-consumable tungsten electrode and is constricted by passing through an orifice. This provides a more columnar arc with a higher […]
Read MoreWith NFL teams reporting for training camps (Who Dey?), it’s apropo the New York Times reported Tuesday that the leaders of the two houses tentatively agreed to a budget extension for federal spending through March, 2013 (“budget” is in quotes because the government doesn’t actually have a budget). So I was wrong a few weeks ago in my […]
Read MoreBelow are highlights from Mark Norfolk’s presentation on Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM) a few days ago at the ASM Symposium at GE’s Global Research Center in NY. Mark is a senior project manager at EWI and the CEO of Fabrisonic, an EWI spinout. Ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) is a novel new process that produces true metallurgical bonds with full […]
Read MoreLet’s face it: going green is fashionable. That’s why I’m skeptical when I see companies touting that they’re going green. It’s great PR, but what does it really mean?…that they’re turning off more lights at night and trying to use less paper? EWI believes in setting the bar a little higher. Recently we had all […]
Read MoreBefore I start, let me say I’m fairly certain I’m not supposed to use a blog to soapbox or complain… But because I’ve been taught how to post blogs without any internal review I’m going to do it anyway. I really don’t like health insurance companies. To be fair, what I’m trying to say […]
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