An Overview Of Old And New Welding Techniques

Welding plays a highly significant role in industrial reforms and the manufacturing revolution of India is a testimony to the same. To sum welding up, it joins two pieces of metal together, as well as holds up industrial manufacturing advancements together.

While many are aware only of the basic definition of welding, it is actually a lot more than known to the layman. This article will walk you through old techniques of welding vis-à-vis the new techniques and welding consumables.

A brief history of welding

One of the first traces of welding in the history of mankind was found in the Bronze Age. Much before we could have imagined, welding was in use in civilizations. Certain tools that the ancient Egyptians were found to use, could have only existed because of welding. All in all, in one way or the other, welding consumables existed back in the day.

With the onset of the medieval era, welding and welding machine manufacturing saw nothing but a boom. Owing to social hierarchy, aristocrats were to maintain armor, war-horses, swords and other such war material. Manufacturing it all, definitely could not have been done without welding.

While welding was being used more and more, precision was missing. One of the biggest milestones towards that precision was achieved only in the early 19th century. This breakthrough is called the ‘acetylene torch’.

Before shielded metal arc welding or SMAW welding became common, acetylene torches were the preferred welding consumable for a neat weld. These essentially used fuel gases along with oxygen to weld as well as cut metals.

From there till the early 20th century, various other welding techniques had come into place and welding machine manufacturers started increasing due to the increase in demand. These newer techniques included spot welding, seam welding, SMAW welding, i.e., shielded metal arc welding and so on and so forth.

Laser welding v/s arc welding

Over a period of time, welding has grown exponentially. The development of laser welding helped the welding industry get the best possible outcome in today’s day and age. This has increased the horizon for the welding industry and crossed the boundaries of what SMAW welding could accomplish. 

Laser welding is the most sophisticated technique of welding and efficient as it does not consume much energy as the rest of the ways. It can be used for a variety of materials as well. Overall, it only expands the possibilities and doesn’t limit them.

It is not as widely available, which is why the understanding of laser welding to the common man, is a lot less. Why is it so much better than any other type? Because it does the same task, with lesser effort put in and it has a density that is similar to that of an electric beam.

Laser welding has definitely changed the face of welding, but till it becomes inexpensive and accessible to our next-door welder, SMAW welding (shielded metal arc welding) is the way to go. However, future welders can make the most of it and keep the industry and welding machine manufacturers together, literally.