There is a demand for heavy equipment and trained heavy equipment operators. The manufacturing of heavy equipment requires skilled welders and specialised welding tools. The construction and manufacturing industries also need consistent welding quality. These results can only be achieved through the use of specialised mechanical welding equipment. Modern manufacturing welding procedures use semi-automatic, machine, automated, and robotic welding equipment. Working with this equipment means different considerations on top of typical welding safety. Read on for important tips on how to keep yourself safe in the workshop, assembly line, or factory when working with heavy welding equipment. The Five Main Welding ProcessesManual All control of the welding equipment is performed manually. This includes the manipulation of the welding machinery and manipulation of the work-piece. Manual welding is the most versatile but also the riskiest type of welding, due to the heavy involvement of the welder. Semi-Automatic Semi-automatic welding employs the use of equipment that controls some of the welding processes. The electrode feeds automatically to the arc while the welder manipulates the welding gun. Most welders prefer semi-automatic welding to other types of welding. Machine / Mechanised A gun, torch, or electrode holder is manipulated by a mechanical device that is operated by the welder. This mechanical device can also be a robot. Mechanised welding allows for safer and faster welding. Automated All welding activity is done by machinery, which can be adjusted between, but not during, the welding process. The operator simply needs to switch machinery on and off and watch for any issues with function or quality. Automated welding is ideal for welding that needs to be repeated on multiple pieces with the same results and quality. This is important in factories or assembly lines. Robotic All welding activity is done by a robot/machine similar to automated welding. However, the machinery is robotic and, therefore, is pre-programmed with specific behaviours. This programming minimises the involvement of a person in the process. Steps for Heavy Equipment Welding SafetyGuard Your Machinery Uncrewed stations are a danger to nearby workers, yet this is the workplace violation most perpetrated by workers. Machinery and robotic equipment may be capable of managing the welding work. But, as with all electrical and robotic equipment, glitches and malfunctions are possible. It’s crucial that you always guard and supervise the work station equipment to minimise any damage or accidents in the event of a malfunction. Take Extra Care When Interacting with Machinery No matter the type of machinery, there is a necessity to perform maintenance, testing, or programming regularly; and this has to be done manually by you or a skilled professional. This is the time when most accidents occur, as it is at this point when you will need to make yourself vulnerable and interact directly with the machinery. Know Your Safety Codes - Such as the America National Standards Institute Safety Code The ANSI Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes has been written to specify safe welding practices. It’s available for free to read online. First published in 1944 after World War II, this code was revised many times. It was most recently in 2012, to include all modern changes in technology. Safety Equipment for Heavy Equipment Welding SafetyDifferent types of welding machinery should be used together with specific safety equipment. These items can be used to create a safe welding cell that can easily and safely be operated, manned, and reloaded by you or an employee. In the case of robotic, automated, or mechanised equipment, some of these safety devices, could include:
Safety equipment may be expensive, but it can save more than its cost in litigation and compensation fees for injured workers. These resources from the United States Department of Labor prove the value of workplace safety equipment. ConclusionWelding is a dangerous business. Working with automated machinery and robots comes with added complexities which you or your employees should be aware of. Although the equipment may now perform some of the more dangerous tasks, you always need to be vigilant. There are still enough on-the-job injuries that highlight a need to improve workplace safety. Author bio - Nina is a freelance writer specialising in a few niches, including Home & Garden. Writing engaging and high-quality content ranging from interior design and landscape architecture to commercial construction and heavy equipment. Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully?Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon. construction management construction project management
7 Comments
28/9/2020 03:48:50 pm
Heavy equipment welding is very important in welding industry. I have been searching for such detailed elaborating for days ultimately your article proved to breaking news. Well-done nicely explained process and types. It helped me a lot.
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15/10/2020 10:30:17 am
I agree when you mentioned that accidents could happen anytime and it is best to take the precautionary step to supervise and guard your work station when working with a welding machine. Glitches and malfunctions are possible on any electrical devices therefore, it is very important to consider some preventions step. I would like to think if someone wants to get this machine, he should make sure to supervise and guard it at all times.
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20/10/2020 10:11:38 am
Welding is hard and can also be time-consuming. You can't just weld metal without proper knowledge of using a welding machine. When you cant handle a welding machine you must always seek for professionals' help. It is better to be safe than doing such a risky task for a beginner.
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29/10/2020 11:26:55 am
I liked that you pointed out that it would be smart to consider looking for metal fabrication tools that will be safe. It seems like if you are going to do welding you will want to make sure that you have protective gear. Personally, I would want to get a professional who has a lot of experience to do the work for me.
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30/10/2020 08:30:36 pm
I successfully converted my welder to a plating power supply, there is a short circuit cutoff that has to be fooled by passing a minimum spoof output voltage to the sens circuit via 2 diodes. This worked well enough to provide the 48 hours of 100A at about 5 V needed to plate a large rocket motor outer.
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6/1/2021 02:15:59 am
It made sense when you said that the workstation should always be supervised so malfunctions can be fixed quickly and cause minimal damage. According to my knowledge, it's also a good idea to use a hydraulic lift at your workstation to promote safety and increase efficiency. This info should be helpful to anyone getting started in equipment welding, so thanks for discussing it here.
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15/1/2021 08:37:50 pm
I do agree that it is important for us to be wise in choosing the condition of the equipment when choosing a used heavy equipment for sale or for rent. It makes sense for us to ensure of its condition as we will be certain that we are buying or renting something worthwhile. The other day my friend mentioned that he would like to buy an heavy equipment for his construction work. I will remind him accordingly.
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