EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE AND APPARATUS

1. The power supply is switched on

2. Power source is switched on and is set to 15-28V
3. The gas regulator is opened, counter clock wise (CCW), the gas pressure is
checked.
4. The flow meter is opened, counter clock wise (CCW), the flow rate is checked
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

to 10-15LPM
The trigger mode is selected 2T
The function is selected.
The Wire Feed Speed (WFS) is selected to 4m/min.
The current (A) is set to 3-2 for thick material.
The return cable is clamped at the work piece

Gas tank

Figure 2

Figure 1(GMAW Machine)

Control setting

Gas pressure reading

Flow rate reading
Gas regulator

Flow meter

APPARATUS

Figure 3

RESULT

INDUSTRIAL APPARATUS

MIG Welding
Machine

GMAW machine for

aluminum welding

Portable welding
system for GMAW,
SMAW, GTAW

DISCUSSION

From this laboratory, GMAW, Gas Metal Arc Welding has been conducted in this
experiment. Basically GMAW is quite different compared to SMAW, Shield Metal Arc
Welding. GMAW the electrode is a roll of wire which the welder feeds out of a gun
to the work piece. The speed of the wire can be control, so it can make long welds
without stopping to replace a rod. This type of welding is generally considered to be
the easiest to learn. The gun also feeds out an inert gas such as Argon or CO2 to
displace oxygen at the weld site. GMAW has no slag to be chip away because of the
feed inert gas.
From the result, it shows that the welding bead is not perfect and there are some
defects occur during the welding. There are several causes the influence the defects
of the welding bead such as Voltage (V), Current (A), and welding speed (m/mm).
For voltage, the voltage is needed to be constant. The power source will supply the
necessary amperage to melt the welding electrode at the rate required to maintain
the present voltage or relative arc length. The speed of the electrode drive is used
to control the average welding current. The use of this type of power supply in
conjunction with a constant wire electrode feed results in a self-correcting arc length
system.
For current, the current also needed to be constant. Arc length (voltage) is
controlled by the automatic adjustment of the electrode feed rate. This type of
welding is best suited to large diameter electrodes and machine or automatic
welding, where very rapid change of electrode feed rate is not required. Most
constant current power sources have a drooping volt-ampere output characteristic.
Constant current power sources are not normally selected for MIG welding because
of the control needed for electrode feed speed. The systems are not self-regulating.
For welding speed, it will affect the welding bead characteristics. If the welding
speed increase, the welding beads width and height will decrease, while the depth
will increase.

CONCLUSION
As the conclusion, GMAW is the type of welding generally considered to be the
easiest to learn. It allowed for lower welding time compared to other welding
processes. It is also operated in semiautomatic, machine, and automatic modes and
is utilized particularly in high production welding operations. All commercially
important metals such as carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper can
be welded with this process in all positions by choosing the appropriate shielding
gas, electrode, and welding conditions. In order to gain perfect outcome of the
welding bead, a precaution of the welding technique must be done. The defects and
quality of the welding bead can be controlled with good technique of welding and
standard operation procedure.

RECOMMENDATION
Lack of fusion

Increase arc power

Adjust welding speed
Weld vertical up
Change the arc angle

Porosity

Check gas type and coverage

Ensure weld piece and filler is dry
Check parent material and joint face
Check manufactures specification

Slag Inclusion

Increase arc power

Shorten arc length
Prepare and clean joint
Aim arc towards the molten pool

Spatter

Adjust the welding parameters

Change polarity
Check filler materials and storage conditions
Check gas coverage and type