Why Reducing Electrode Diameter and Amperage Is Actually Making Distortion Worse

One of the best solutions for welding distortion may seem counterintuitive. Many times, when a fabricator is experiencing distortion from welding, they often believe they are welding too hot. Their initial instinct is to reduce the heat input by lowering the amperage. So, they try it, only to find out the problem persists or even […]

Frequently Asked Questions About Prequalified Welding Procedures (Stainless Steel)

The following FAQ are related to 280 Stainless Steel Prequalified Welding Procedure Specifications. To learn more or to get your copy simply click here Is this a physical book?  No. The welding procedures are provided as digital files (PDF) and are available for immediate download.  The user has the option to print the files as many […]

Understanding Element Design: The Foundation for Successful Weld Design

Weld design is a critical aspect of any structural or mechanical project, encompassing the selection of appropriate weld joints, sizing, filler metals, and ensuring both safety and cost-effectiveness. However, before we delve into the specifics of weld design, we must first understand its predecessor: element design.   What is Element Design? Element design is the initial […]

3 Effective Ways to Reduce Welding Rework

Rework is extremely costly, especially in welding.  If you consider what happens when a weld is rejected it is essentially triples the amount of work. You weld, you remove the weld, you reweld.  On top of this it may require additional inspection.  So, reducing rework can save considerable amounts of time and money. 

6 Challenges When Increasing Deposition Rates

It is not a secret that increasing our deposition rates, measured in pounds per hour (kg per hour in metric units), can result in increased productivity. Deposition rate is the rate at which we are depositing weld metal.  It is different from the melt-off rate. Melt-off rate is the rate at which we consume our […]

The Most Dangerous Weld Defect

Have you ever wondered if there is one type of welding discontinuity or defect that is the absolute worst one to have?  Have you heard that cracks are by the far the worst?  Or do you think others like lack of fusion, undercut or overlap can be worse?  The reality is that there isn’t a […]

Understanding the Difference between Qualified and Prequalified Welding Procedures

One of the most common questions we get around the topic of welding procedure qualification is regarding the differences between qualified and prequalified welding procedures.  The main question is typically: is one better than the other?  Before we answer this question, let’s first discuss the need for qualified, or prequalified, welding procedures.   If you have […]

The Challenges of Welding in Cold Temperatures

Welding in cold temperatures poses two critical challenges.  First, the brutal conditions welders must endure and second, the performance of steel structures in cold temperatures. Many times we forget about the former by focusing too much on the latter.  If you ever get a chance to talk to welders that have welded in both extreme […]

Who is responsible for determining weld size?

Who determines what size a weld should be?  This is a question we ask many of our customers.  And we never seem to get a straight answer.  In a perfect world, the design engineer should specify all weld sizes and clearly communicate this through welding symbols on the print.  But that is hardly ever the […]