Welding, Mig

Gas Metal Arc Welding, more commonly referred to as MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding, uses a torch-style electrode attached to a spool of wire and a wire feeding mechanism.

GMAW uses an electric arc between the work and the applied stock to generate heat for the weld pool. In GMAW systems, however, the torch maintains a standard distance from the work while a mechanism, typically mounted away from the torch on the power supply, feeds the weld material, in wire form, into the weld pool. As the tool standoff is constant, less effort is typically required to evenly apply a GMAW weld. GMAW eliminates the need to continually stop and replace electrodes since welding can continue as long as there is wire on the spool. Gas Metal Arc Welding, is the use of a constant flow of inert (non-reactive) gas around the weld pool. This is used to protect the integrity of the weld. The use of gas also makes for faster cleanup of the weld.

Operating factor: The ratio of arc-on time to the total time worked, often expressed as a percentage: A low operator factor is costly.

The data used here came from any article written by Neal P. Necastro of Galion Manufacturing.
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) is frequently referred to as MIG welding. MIG welding is a commonly used high deposition rate welding process. Wire is continuously fed from a spool. MIG welding is therefore referred to as a semiautomatic welding process.

MIG Welding Benefits:
All position capability
Higher deposition rates than SMAW
Less operator skill required
Long welds can be made without starts and stops
Minimal post weld cleaning is required

The data used here came from any article written by Neal P. Necastro of Galion Manufacturing.