Assembly of parts for electric arc welding

Welding two metal parts to form a continuous assembly involves :

• to dock these two parts, i.e. to bring them face to face;

• keep them close together during the welding operation, at least at the beginning;

• to set the workpiece and welding torch in relative motion when welding in automatic mode, and sometimes to set the workpiece in motion when a welder holds the torch himself.

The focus here is on electric arc welding processes; electron beam, laser, electrical resistance, friction, etc., are not covered.

The assembly of parts to be welded will be approached according to the following two aspects:

• in-shop preparation of parts to be welded, with regard to edge abutment, means of holding parts during welding, and clamping against deformation;

• description of machines and equipment for moving parts and welding torches, with a view to automating the operation (carts on beams or positioners, turners, jibs, lathes, rails, etc.).