Welding is the art of joining metals and other materials together. It also involves elements such as design improvements and manufacturing. Welding can be a rewarding career, but you should know a few different things before you achieve your desired goals. If you want to become a professional in the field of metal processing, here is all the information you need to know about how to become a welder.
There are different types of welding, with special emphasis on combining different types of materials. The following are three commonly used welding techniques.
This type of welding is sometimes called rod welding, and it uses a rod or electrode that is fed through a welding torch. Electricity is the main source of power. It is used to generate an arc between the metal surface and the electrode, and the molten electrode is used as a filler to bond them together. This type of welding is very common in construction and other heavy industries because it is used to join large pieces of metal.
This is sometimes called metal inert gas (MIG) welding, and its working principle is almost similar to rod welding. In this case, the only difference is the use of continuous electrode wires instead of rods. MIG welding is common in the manufacturing and automotive industries. More importantly, this welding method is cleaner than bar welding.
This type of welding is also called Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), which replaces the consumable electrode or wire used in MIG or rod welding. Instead, it uses non-consumable tungsten, which means no filler material is required. The heat generated by the arc melts the metal surface, creating a bond. TIG is the simplest form of welding, but it is also the slowest option. This type of welding is usually suitable for precision metals whose appearance is important.
If carefully planned, welding is a rewarding career that can provide many opportunities in different fields. There are a few steps you should take to pursue a career as a welder, and the type of welding you want to perform determines your course. You can obtain either of the two most common certification programs in the United States through degree training or formal vocational training. These include the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the American Welding Association (AWS).
To pursue a career in welding, you need a high school diploma or equivalent to take courses you like. High school education is essential because it provides basic learning skills, such as algebra and geometry, which you can use to understand how materials stick together during the welding process. Other high schools offer welding courses to prepare candidates for welding certification exams. If you want to stand out in a welding course, training and education are essential.
There are two main certification programs, including the American Welding Society and the American Petroleum Institute. API is more advanced and mainly focuses on the petrochemical industry. If you are new to welding, you can consider using AWS. It may take several weeks or years for you to obtain the welding certification you dream of. If you have no formal education, if you want to get API certification, you need work experience.
Apprenticeship is a reliable way to start your welding career. Many companies offer on-the-job training, where you can gain practical experience and get some monetary allowances when working under the supervision of experienced welders. You need to check the requirements for applying for an apprenticeship. You need to find places such as government websites and vocational schools to get an apprenticeship. If there is a local welding union in your area, you are also more likely to get an apprenticeship. Apprenticeship offers many advantages because welding requires more practice than theory. The most important thing is that you make money while you study.
Welding is a process that involves joining metals and other materials to form different structures. As you have observed, there are mainly three types of welding, which are used for different purposes. If you want to become a welder, you should first choose the type of welding you need to specialize in. High school education is essential because it provides you with the necessary knowledge for a welding career. If you want to obtain a professional qualification, you can consider different welding procedures.
Post time: Jul-22-2021