A new welding process has been developed which uses a hybrid concept. A portable induction coil is operated ahead of the arc welding torch, and heats the surfaces of the weld to near the melting point. Then the heat generated by the welding arc is primarily used only to melt the welding wire. The process operates at speeds of 2-3 times the speed of conventional arc welding and has the added advantage of substantially reducing weld distortion. The need for weld joint preparation, such as beveling, is eliminated for butt joints, even in fairly thick parts, which dramatically improves welding productivity.

This content is only available via PDF.
You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.