UMS Welding & Fabrication

Welding & Steel Fabrication are cornerstones of our society. They allow us to enjoy a high quality of living and they also hold the promise of even greater advances in the future. However, the industrial  and manufacturing sectors could not exist without the equipment, structures and resources created by welding and fabrication engineering and in turn industrial steel fabrication as we know it could not exist without welding. Let’s take a look at how welding serves industrial fabrication as well as the different types of welding & fabrication services. 

Welding and Industrial Fabrication

Welding is the process of securely joining two materials together  using the process of coalescence and often also a filler material.  Welding releases heat and energy which in turn liquefies the materials  at the intended joint. When the materials re-solidify a secure joint is  formed. Typically the materials joined consist of metals or  thermoplastics.  Welding allows advanced fabrication to be undertaken by securely  affixing these materials and thus facilitating the creation of a more developed piece of equipment or structure which can then be used accordingly for its intended purpose. In order to accomplish this  important role welding must be versatile enough to work with a wide  variety of different metals and thermoplastics in a range of varied, often difficult conditions.  

Types of Welding Services and Their Applications

Because the conditions, demands and materials to be joined vary widely, different types of welding processes have been developed. Each  process serves a different need and has its own set of pros and cons and general applications. What follows is a description of several of the  most common and important welding services. Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) – Shielded Metal  Arc Welding is also known as “SMAW” or as “stick welding.” The stick in  question refers to the electrode, which is coated in a protectant flux.  An electrode holder holds the “stick” in place and an electric arc is  created using either direct or alternating current. This in turn causes  the electrode to slowly melt away while also melting the metals to be  joined. At the same time the flux coating releases a gas vapor which,  together with the slag, creates a shielded environment to protect the  weld area from contamination. Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) – Gas Tungsten Arc  Welding, also known as “GTAW” or “TIG welding” uses a tungsten electrode  to produce the weld. Unlike SMAW welding the electrode is not consumed  during the welding process. Instead the weld area is protected from  atmospheric contamination by an inert gas, often Argon or Helium gas.  The acronym “TIG” refers to “Tungsten Inert Gas.” Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) – Gas Metal Arc  Welding, also known as “GMAW” or “MIG welding” uses a consumable wire electrode that is fed through a welding gun. An inert shielding gas such  as Argon or a mixture of Argon and Carbon Dioxide is also sprayed over  the welding puddle to protect it from contamination. MIG welding has  become the most common welding method in industrial settings because of  its versatility and relative ease. However, it is not ideal for use  outdoors or in other areas with high air volatility.  Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) – Flux-Cored Arc  Welding, or “FCAW,” is very similar to MIG welding; however, it features  the use of a special tubular wire that is filled with flux. The flux  may be sufficient by itself to protect the welding puddle from  contamination or a shielding gas may also be used, depending on the  filler material and other circumstances. Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) – Submerged Arc Welding,  or “SAW,” uses a consumable electrode that is fed automatically. It  also uses a characteristic blanket of granular fusible flux, consisting  of several compounds including silica, lime, calcium fluoride, and  manganese oxide among others. This blanket of granular flux thus  completely “submerges” the welding area thereby protecting it. Together these, and other welding services, do an outstanding job of  servicing the industrial fabrication industry, especially when they are  performed by highly qualified, experienced welders. UMS is proud to  offer these high quality welding services to our customers. We have the  versatility and skill it takes to undertake welding &  fabrication of a full assortment of piping, structural steel, and pressure vessels as needed.                 Please contact us for further information.