Usage of Spot Welding in Automobile Industry
Spot welding is the process where two metal surfaces are connected with the use of heat from resistance due to an electric current flow. The two pieces are clamped together due to the pressure made by electrodes. Sheets that are used in spot welding have thickness of 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm.
The spot welding process utilizes two copper alloy electrodes to focus welding current into a small area and hold the sheets together. When a large current goes through the spot, it melts the metal and creates a weld. A large amount of energy can be delivered to the area in a very short period of time. It allows the welding to take place without creating excessive heat to the rest of the sheet.
The factors that affect the amount of energy delivered to the spot are resistance between the amplitude and electrodes, as well as the duration of the electric current. Too little heat will not melt the metal or create a poor weld. Too much heat will melt the metal, create a hole, and eject molten material. With spot welding, energy can be controlled in order to create dependable welds.
Spot welding is usually utilized to weld specific types of sheet metal. Thicker sheets are harder to spot weld because the heat flows into the metal more easily. You can see find spot welds in metal buckets and other sheet metal items. Aluminum alloys can be spot welded but it requires higher welding currents due to the material’s higher electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity.
Spot welding is typically used in the automobile industry to weld sheet metal to create the form of the car. Industrial robots are often used in the assembly lines. Spot welding is also utilized in orthodontist’s clinics to resize metal molar bands that are used in orthodontics.
