Spot Welding

Questions and Answers

A common use for RWMA Class 20 material is spot welding of galvanized steel. Its properties of anti-sticking and heat resistance have made it one of the choices for this sometimes difficult welding operation. These good properties do come at a premium over other materials with similar properties.

The problem encountered when welding galvanized is that the zinc/galvanized coating readily alloys with the copper of the electrode and weakens its surface structure and forms a layer of brass on the welding surface. Any alloy which maintains its strength and retards this surface condition is a candidate for galvanized welding. Class 20 dispersion strengthened copper is a good candidate but not the only one.

RWMA Class 2 chromium copper is another alloy often used to spot weld galvanized. Its hardness and electrical conductivity are virtually the same as Class 20. With these properties it can function in the same welding environment and perform the same functions without a material premium charge.

RWMA Class 1 zirconium copper also has great electrical conductivity and good hardness and finds good success spot welding galvanized materials without a material premium.

RWMA CLASS 1 2 20

Both Class 1& 2 can be substituted for Class 20 for welding galvanized material. In fact, Class 1 & 2 are the biggest users in the galvanized resistance welding marketplace and are stocked in most rod, bar and electrode sizes.

Substituting one electrode alloy for another may require adjustments to the weld schedule. Pressure, current and time (PCT) are the variables that could be adjusted. This may lead to requalification of the weld set-up depending upon your in house procedures and the amount of the schedule change.

Reference: RWMA Resistance Welding Manual 4th Edition
                   AWS J1.3 Specifications for Materials Used in Resistance Welding electrodes and Tooling

Generally projection welding electrodes are large flat surfaces. Sometimes holes are incorporated for locators (nut welding). In crosswire welding the lower electrode may be a single long bar of copper alloy or refractory material spanning many welds. The electrode delivers force and amperage through a relatively large surface area into the part being welded. Secondarily they provide cooling of the part.

Projection Weld Current Flow

The part by design concentrates the current and force to create heat and forging at a concentrated location. Projection welding electrode life is long when compared to spot welding electrodes. The wear is frequently mechanical abrasion. RWMA Class 2 is the first choice for electrode material in projection welding. If mechanical wear and tear is a little heavy and Class 2 has to be faced too often, try RWMA Class 3. It is mechanically harder and more resistive to wear than Class 2. If there is a lot of heat and excessive wear turn to RWMA Class 11, refractory metal electrodes may be the best choice. Nut welding sometimes is a heat generator and the Class 11 refractory electrodes are successfully used. Electrically Insulated locator pins are employed when needed.

Reference: AWS C1.1 Recommended Practices for Resistance Welding
                  AWS J1.3 Specification for Materials Used In Resistance Welding Electrodes and Tooling
                  AWS J1.2 Guide to Installation and Maintenance of Resistance Welding Machines

It will be assumed that a 1000 volt primary supply is connected to the primary of a resistance welding transformer. The question is should this produce amperage on the secondary? Assuming that the control is functioning, wiring is correct and the transformer is good the answer is yes. There should be voltage and current at the transformer secondary terminals. The amount depends upon the equipment.

Transformer Construction rev

This means that many items need to be verified to insure that all is correct. If all is correct and there is no voltage and current present at the secondary, back up the circuit and test.

Is there voltage at the primary?

Is the transformer grounded properly? If the transformer is failing to ground it should have tripped a breaker. In either case investigate the transformer.

Is there a properly sized breaker on the system?

If the transformer is good, move up a level.

Then back up another lever head to the control etc. Check all connections and fuses. The control could be failing and not activating the SCR. A component has failed or is wired improperly somewhere. Search till it is found.

A conductor, fuse, component has failed somewhere in the system. A 1000 volt connection will flow if connected and the components are functioning properly.

 

Reference: RWMA - Resistance Welding Manual 4th Edition
                   AWS - J1.2 Guide to Installation and Maintenance of Resistance Welding Machines 

Automated lines are very common in today’s factory. In the resistance welding world this means the parts are automatically brought to a work station. A robot with a weld gun is activated and makes a series of welds. It pulls back and waits or dresses the electrodes at an automated dressing station during the part index time. Sometimes these dresses happen after each part, sometimes after several parts. The goal is that the electrodes are generally dressed frequently but lightly and kept fresh for a long life.

These automated dressing systems are incorporated into the weld systems. Often the dressers are built and designed by the system integrator. In some cases the integrator incorporates dressers manufactured by others into their systems.

Pneumatic Dresser

PEUMATIC HANDHELD DRESSER - NOT AUTOMATED

In either case automated equipment systems are outside the area of this forum.

To find information on this subject contact your local equipment or system supplier or resistance welding distributor.

RESOURCE: RWMA - Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance has a listing of member companies who could be of assistance in this endeavor.

Several sources are available to select the electrode material for spot welding. If the material to be spot welded it known you are ready to proceed. Two sources for information are:

AWS Standard C1.1 Recommended Practices for Resistance Welding

RWMA – Resistance Welding Manual 4th Edition

Stainless steel is a relatively strong resistive material. This means that in electrodes we will need strength but not necessarily a high conductor. The recommended electrode material for stainless is RWMA Class 3. This is the strongest of the copper alloy electrode materials but still has good electrical conductivity. The second choice would be RWMA Class 2 which is not as strong but has better conductivity.

The chart below shows electrode material selections for various spot weld material combinations.

Recommended Electrode Materials Guide

For additional information on this topic see article:

HOW DO I SELECT THE PROPER ELECTRODE MATERIAL FOR SPOT WELDING?

Reference: AWS C1.1 Recommended Practices for Resistance Welding
                  RWMA Resistance Welding Manual 4th Edition
                  Tuffaloy Products Catalog and Website
                  CMW Inc. Catalog

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