MIG, TIG, and Heliarc Welding

When we build an enclosure, we implement MIG (GMAW) and TIG (GTAW) welding processes--TIG on the outside of enclosures, and MIG on the inside of enclosures. We at Bison thought it would be helpful to provide some basic information on these methods of welding, so that you can be as informed of our processes as possible.

Welding Electrical Enclosures

Bison ProFab has a state of the art proficient and talented welding facility. Procedures include GTAW and GMAW in stainless, aluminum, and carbon steel. 

MIG Welding

In MIG welding (Metal Inert Gas) or GMAW (Gas Metal Arc) welding, an electric arc is formed by the welder between the consumable wire electrode and whatever metal is being worked on. With this process, the metals melt and bond. MIG is also referred to as gas metal arc welding, or GMAW. The four most common ways of MIG welding are short-circulating, globular, spray, and pulsed-spray. MIG is the primary method of welding in the industrial welding process, as it is quick, efficient, versatile, and easy programmable. However, Bison does not perform GMAW outdoors, because of its use of a shielding gas in its process. MIG welding outside is also inadvisable because welding in volatile air can lead to dross, as it contributes to equipment wear. Maintenance of electrodes and work-pieces is absolutely necessary to preventing dross, as well as porosity. Both of these problems can lead to weaker welds, which are bad news for electrical enclosures.

TIG Welding and Heliarc Welding

TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) and Heliarc welding are names for the same type of welding, in which an arc is produced with a non-consumable tungsten electrode. The process is also referred to as gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). The employment of an inert shielding gas, such as Argon, protects the weld from the atmosphere in the future. Because it is more complex and takes more time, the TIG process is more difficult to master than MIG welding. However, the extra work pays off, as the welder has much more control over the strength and quality of the welds. The most common materials welded with the TIG process are stainless steel (thin) and metals that are non-ferrous, such as aluminum, stainless and carbon steel. Such a complicated and delicate method requires a great deal of attention to equipment upkeep in both maintenance and functionality. Also, Bison does not perform TIG welding outside, as doing so in an air current is inefficient and pollutes the air--the more wind, the more shielding gas is needed to protect the weld.