A welding torch is a mechanical tool that melts an open flame with gas and oxygen fuel to melt two pieces of metal together to form a strong seam. This torch is used for many purposes and in many industries. The two most common types are inert metal gas (MIG) and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welders.
The welding torch consists of a long metal stem that is usually bent at an end at an angle to allow the welder to aim it correctly. The ends of welding torches all have a small controlled flame. The metal stem consists of two tubes carrying gasoline and oxygen fuel. The welding torch is connected to a fuel source by hoses, and the welder can adjust the fuel-oxygen mixture. When fuel and oxygen ignite, they create a small blue flame.
The flame heats up enough to melt metals such as tin, aluminum and steel alone. The welding torch is placed between two pieces of metal and creates a spark due to the heating of the metals to their melting point. It only takes a few seconds to start bonding the two metals. The flame moves along the surface of both metals, essentially breaking them together to form a strong bond.
In the automatic welding system, a welding torch is used to guide the welding electrode into the arc, to perform welding power on the electrode and to provide protection to the arc area. There are different types of welding torches and its choice depends on the welding process, welding process change, welding current, electrode size and protective environment.
Welding torches can be classified according to how they are cooled. They may be cooled by circulating cooling water or by ambient air. Torch can be used for the welding process of consumable electrodes such as metal arc or flux arc welding, and the gas shield may or may not be used.
The burner can be described as a straight burner. A bent burner is often used for robotic arc welding applications to provide access to the weld.
The main function of the torch is to transfer the welding current to the electrode. For the electrode process, this means transferring current to the electrode as the electrode moves through the burner.
The second main function of the torch is to transfer the shielding gas, if used, to the arc area. Gas arc welding uses shielding gas, which may be an active gas, usually carbon dioxide, or a mixture of an inert gas, typically argon, CO2, or oxygen.
The welding torch is mounted to the robot flange with an adaptive mounting arm.
