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Machines and Metal: Become A Welder

Machines and Metal: Become A Welder

Welding is the process by which two metal parts are joined together permanently. The process involves applying heat on the metal pieces until the metals reach their melting points and fuse together. The process of welding requires welding equipment such as carbon arcs, electrodes, feeding wires, and molten metal depending on the type of welding being used in joining the two metallic pieces.

History of Welding

The history of welding can be traced back to the Bronze Age. Small sized golden round boxes were the first items constructed from the primitive form of welding. In 1800, British inventor and chemist, Sir Humphry Davy, established a welding process by producing an arc from 2 carbon electrodes by means of a battery. Further along, Nikolai N. Benardos secured two patents that showed a basic electrode holder. This is considered to be the beginning of use of carbon arc type of welding. Later, metal electrodes were introduced by C.L. Coffin from Detroit. In order to provide a stable arc, A.P. Strohmenger came up with a metal electrode that was coated around 1900. During the same time, the process of resistance welding was being refined. The processes included flash butt welding, spot welding, and projection welding. Plasma arc welding was invented in 1957 and the most recent development is friction welding.

Welding Safety

People involved in welding need to take some precautions. While a metallic portion is being welded, the intensity of the electric current being produced by the carbon arcs creates sparks flying out in all directions. Safety equipment has to be worn by the workers to protect themselves from damaging their eyes. Apart from this, the metal is almost always molten. The workers must wear goggles, a mask accompanied by protective lenses, safety shoes, and other devices to avoid eye injuries and burns. If they are working in a construction area, they also have to be protected from heavy objects which may fall from above. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommend welders to operate in adequately ventilated bays so that they don’t inhale particulates and gases emitted through the metal and carbon arc. On the other hand, automated welding requires a person to wear just goggles or a face shield.

Welding as a Career

Since welders carry out such a challenging task, they also shoulder a great amount of responsibility. Apart from this, they face the prospect of working in an atmosphere filled with huge metallic parts and substantial amount of gases. People who intend to pursue welding as a career should apply for jobs with these realities of the task in mind. Job prospects vary with the skill levels of the welder. Employers often look for welders who possess good knowledge of the process and well-trained in advanced welding technologies.

Specific Welding Training

Welding training can range from formal training at school or being trained on-the-job for low-skilled welders. For better job prospects, it may take dedicated work at college, spanning several years. People can apply for postsecondary level training from institutes such as private welding institutes, community colleges, and vocational-technical institutes. There are certification courses available at various renowned institutes as well.

Welding finds its applications in aerospace applications, refineries, power plants, shipbuilding, construction of bridges, and many other manufacturing fields. The job of a welder is demanding, entailing accountability and responsibility.

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