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Big welders

(1494 products available)

About big welders

Types of big welders

Big welding machines are among the most popular and useful tools for people in the large fabrication industry. Being a crucial part of many production processes, large welders come in an array of types to serve unique welding demands. Here are some prominent varieties:

Stick welders

Also called manual electric arc welding (MMAW) or shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) machines, stick welders are the most common. They work by producing an electric current between the welding electrode and the workpiece, causing the metal to molten and then letting it set to create a weld.

TIG welders

Tungsten inert gas welding (TIG) uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce an arc between the electrode and the work metal. TIG welders are easily portable and can be powered by either gas or electricity.

MIG welders

Metal inert gas welding (MIG) automatically feeds the welding wire and uses an electric arc to melt it. This makes MIG faster than other welding methods and ideal for large production because it requires only one person to operate the welder.

Pulse TIG welders

TIG welders that are able to work on DC and AC are called pulse TIG welders. They pulse the current rather than just holding a steady amperage. Also, pulse TIG welders can work on steel, aluminum, and titanium.

Spot welders

Also called resistance welders, spot welding machines weld metal pieces by applying heat and pressure to two electrode tips. They join two or three sheets of the same metal together by melting a small spot on the top sheet.

AC welders

These produce an alternating current and are mainly used for welding metals like aluminum and magnesium that require heat and cooling cycles.

Generator welders

These welders are welding machines with included or separated generators that turn mechanical energy into electrical energy through the rotation of a coil in the magnetic field.

Automatic welders

Automatic welders are machines that automatically perform the weld without manually controlling the electric arc. Automatic welding machines are only set up by technicians to weld specific joints.

Industrial applications of big welders

Sculptures and art installations

A lot of artists create sculpture and large art installations by welding different pieces of metal together, and often, the amount of metal they will be working on requires the use of large welding equipment. Because of their power and the size of the areas they can operate on, large welders are used to create oversized sculptures, structural art, and public installations.

Automobile manufacture and repair

Large welders used to produce metal car bodies by welding large sheets of metal together. They are also used to repair large vehicles like buses, trucks, trailers, and construction, agricultural, marine, and railway transportation equipment.

Cylinders and pressure vessels

Cylinders and pressure vessels construction and repair require a large amount of metal to be welded. That's why large welders are often used in industries, oil and gas extraction, and power generation to construct and repair large cylindrical vessels such as storage tanks and reactors.

Pipelines

Any large construction project involving pipeline welding needs big welding machines. In oil and gas transportation or water supply and drainage, huge pipe sections have to be welded, and large welding appliances provide the required power and precision.

Shipbuilding and marine repairs

The marine industry relies heavily on large welders. They are used to join large ship hull plates and other constructions and repair ships, barges, boats, tugs, and other vessels.

Bridge and structural welding

That applies to not just road or railway bridges, but large welders are used to join members in large structural projects like high-rises, arenas, industrial buildings, and stadiums.

Industrial equipment manufacture

Large welding machines are widely used in making high-end commercial products such as boilers, industrial furnaces, machining centers, various heavy equipment like excavators, dozers, etc., industrial mixers and centrifuges, bulk containers and silos, and many other heavy machines.

In fabrication shops or any large industrial setting, 220 jointers, TIG machines, and other welding machines are used on a day-to-day basis to make various products and equipment.

Recycling

Recycling centers use welding machines to repair and modify recycling equipment such as shredders, compactors, balers, etc.

Product specifications and features of big welders

Key features

Some other interesting features of big welders that make them suitable for heavy-duty works of large scales are about to be discussed.

Duty cycle

The duty cycle of large welders sets how long they can work continuously in a given time. Heavy-duty models have high duty cycles, and this makes them ideal to be used for long periods in large operations.

Output range

The output range of welding machines determines what positions they can be used effectively. Large machines usually have wider output ranges, allowing them to weld a variety of metal thicknesses.

Feed systems

MIG and flux core welders typically have automatic feed systems that take welding wire from the spool and push it through the torch to minimize human involvement. Large welding machines for industrial usages often have automatic feed systems for efficiency.

Portability and installation

Although many industrial machines are portable for easy transportation and installation, big Arc welders, plasma cutters, and other welding machines can be big and heavy, so they may require hoisting and wouldn't easily be moved around.

Power supply

Big welders can be powered with electricity, engines using renewable fuels, and gas, like acetylene, which makes them versatile. Some also use high-voltage direct current.

Fan system

To ensure optimal performance, big welders contain internal fans that help cool down the welder during operations.

Welding wire gauge

This is an important consideration because the kind of wire used often differs due to the type of welding process. In MIG welding, for instance, 0.030-0.035 inches welding wires are recommended for thin metal, while bigger wires like 0.045-0.052 are for thicker metal.

How to choose big welders

When sourcing materials for massive welding machines, buyers should carefully consider the following factors to ensure they stock equipment that is suitable for large-scale industrial customers.

The market demand

Welders come in various types, and knowing which type sells the most can help increase the number of customers satisfied. Stick AC welders are known to be the most practical and easiest type of welder, making them highly in demand. Automatic welders, TIG welders, MIG welders, and pulse TIG welders also have their market demand that buyers need to be aware of.

Output

This is related to the thickness of the metal that the large welder will work on. Large welders capable of producing over 500 amps can perform any task. Such welders can fabricate and repair works that require the welding of any thickness of metal.

Production rate

Large welders with internal fans that cool them down while working and can work for over six hours without overheating are known to have a high production rate. Mj/h is the measure of the production rate of a welder.

Electrode cords

The length of the electrode cords used for DC welding also needs to be considered. Long cords like 12 feet are practical for working on thin materials, while short cords do the work better on thick materials.

Brand

Like any other manufacturing equipment, the brand of the large welder strongly differentiates its quality, reliability, and reputation when it comes to customer support.

Industrial requirements

Large welders for industrial use come with specific requirements. Factors like the kind of joints common in the industry, automated or manual welding, and how accurately the weld needs to be performed need to be addressed.

Environmental and economical considerations

Large welders that work on AC and DC currents can be powered by gas and electricity, making the operating cost a critical consideration. In addition to that, buyers should also consider where the machines will be used. Some machines are designed for indoor use, while many are suitable for outdoor use.

Future potential

220 V welders, MIG welders, TIG welders, and large welding machines in different kinds of joints may still be in demand in the future because of the rapid growth of manufacturing industries like automotive and aerospace and mechanical developments.

Industry standards

Welds need to meet some general industry standards. For AWS, for instance, major quality aspects like strength, appearance, and legality are evaluated. For QSA, the search for fusion and filling materials is conducted.

Q&A

Q1: Is it safe to use big welders outside?

A1: Yes. As long as the welder doesn't get wet, is shielded from the wind, and isn't too hot, big welders can be used outside.

Q2: Are there any maintenance procedures for big welders?

A2: Yes. Regular maintenance such as cleaning, tightening parts, ensuring power cables and ground leads are in good condition and checking for overheating should be practiced.

Q3: How do big welders work?

A3: Welders use intense heat to join metals. They work by applying electric currents to create arcs that melt metals and fuse them together.

Q4: How long can big welders continuously operate?

A4: Depending on the model and other factors, big welders can work continuously for 6 to 10 hours max before needing a cooldown.

Q5: What metals can large welding machines join?

A5: Large welders can join a variety of metals like mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper alloys, and more.