TIG welding equipment, consisting of intricate systems and various components, undergoes harsh conditions during operations. Exposure to various metals, extreme temperatures, and intense electrical currents may result in wear and tear. This wear and tear may escalate without effective maintenance, resulting in safety hazards, malfunctions, and minimized efficiency.
On the other hand, efficiency is directly linked to the speed and quality of welding. Well-maintained welders operate at high performance, generating welds with precision. So, maintaining your equipment for precision TIG welding is important to ensure peak performance.
Why Precision is Important in TIG Welding
According to experts at Micro Weld, precision is key in TIG welding. It directly impacts the integrity and quality of welds. Control over variables like filler metal deposition, arc length, and welding speed ensures weld quality, optimal penetration, and fusion. Here are reasons why precision is important in TIG welding:
- Minimize costs: When machines break down, repairing or replacing them will be costly. They will put you behind in your work schedule, resulting in less work for workers and less efficiency. Beyond productivity and time loss, broken machines may also mean unplanned high costs and expenses for replacement or repair.
- Increase machine lifespan: Machine engines require utmost maintenance and care to avoid failure or damage. Among the most effective ways to care for the motor is to ensure proper routine oil changes or oil levels. Like in cars, motor oil lubricates essential components of engines, preventing friction and interior corrosion that can disrupt efficiency.
- Ensure quality: Among the key reasons why most companies opt for welding TIG welding machines over bolt-and-nut processes is because they improve overall product strength and are more precise. When your machines are working properly, you can avoid precision errors.
- Reduce downtime: When a machine is not working properly, it may stop production processes until the problems are fixed. Depending on the scope of operations, this inactive period may cause backups, decreasing quality for your TIG welding company, especially when it isn’t planned.
Preventive Maintenance Basics
Whether you’re leveraging maintenance for TIG welding or fusing pipes with heterogenous/homogenous filler, preventive maintenance must be based on the following:
1. Reading a Manual
Various manufacturers design different kinds of TIG welders to meet certain specifications. Because of that, you need to read the manual of that specific machine.
By reading the manual, you can give more specific commands that your maintenance team needs to follow. Always review your manual and trust its content more than some articles we read online.
2. Replacing Parts
Undoubtedly, the nozzles or tips on a welding torch must frequently be replaced. But remember that some parts of the machine must be replaced, like the brush inside the wire feeder.
Maintenance is important for your machine, as it has many moving parts. Depending on how you regularly use your equipment, you may need to replace the liner to feed the wire smoothly.
3. Protecting the Equipment against Dust
This is crucial for a welding machine’s durability. During breaks, consider removing the machine’s cover and blowing compressed air into the equipment’s divisions to eliminate dust and debris from mechanical components.
In addition, it is a great idea to use a cover for your machine and put the grindings far away from the equipment to ensure nothing is sucked in as the machine operates.
4. Establishing a Maintenance Schedule Routinely
Establishing a maintenance schedule is one of the right things to do for your machine. Some companies have maintenance procedures for every year, month, and week that keep their equipment running in good condition without damaging it.
It is also common for companies or workshops to have their machines serviced professionally every year. However, depending on how you use your machines, you need to set up this schedule.
In conclusion, your TIG welding machines can create a productive and safe work environment by prioritizing safety and sticking to maintenance tips. Safety should always be your priority throughout the process. So, whether you are just starting out or a seasoned expert, prioritize safety to ensure long-lasting and rewarding welding experiences.