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Automated resistance spot welding

Automated resistance spot welding is a process in which contacting metal surfaces are continuously joined by the heat obtained from resistance to electric current flow. Multiple synched welding guns perform continuous automatic electric resistance spot welding.

This welding method produces seamless, multi-layer, bonded, metallic laminate materials of arbitrary length.

To view details about our 16-gun automated resistance spot welding, select one of the links below:

• 16-Gun Automated resistance spot welding overview
• Workpiece materials
• Workpiece thickness
• Workpiece size
• Weld size
• Weld spacing
• Welding speed
• Benefits
• Other complementary services

Automated resistance spot welding overview

Midwest Metal Fabricators provides 16-gun automated resistance spot welding in its production operations. We operate 16 resistance welding guns synched for automatic operation that provides the capability to weld up to three heavy gauge plates mounted on a 60’ long slide mechanism that travels along the length of the part as it is welded. We can weld 3 steel plates together with 2 plates having a thickness of 10-gauge and the other plate being as thick as 9-gauge. Resistance welding literally melts the metal between the top and bottom electrode so that the connection between metal sheets is the result of fusion, unlike a conventional weld.

We water cool our resistance welding guns with continuously flowing water. The water not only cools the gun as it is welding, but also cools the completed weld and the surrounding sheet steel material. Using continuous water-cooled torches eliminates heat distortion on the completed weldments.

Midwest Metal Fabrication is the first company in the U.S. to successfully resistance weld plates of 9-gauge and 10-gauge steel together.

Workpiece materials

Midwest Metal Fabrication typically uses 16-gun automated resistance spot welding to join steel on steel on steel or a combination of three stainless steel plates.

Workpiece thickness

We can utilize our programmable16-gun automated resistance spot welding equipment to weld materials up to ~½” thick and of course, thinner metals with a minimum gauge of 24. Midwest Metal Fabrication routinely joins three pieces of heavy gauge sheet steel together with this equipment with one having a maximum thickness of 9-gauge and both of the other 2 sheets as thick as 10-gauge steel.

Workpiece size

We are able to handle a single workpiece that can be as large as 5’ in width and 60’ in length!

Weld size

Midwest Metal Fabrication’s programmable16-gun automated resistance spot welder is capable of producing welds in any diameter up to 1¼”.

Weld spacing

Our multi-gun automated resistance spot welding equipment can produce weld spacing of 3 19/32” across the width of the work piece and any spacing along the length of the sheet. Programming, not physical torch location, controls the length weld spacing. The welder makes up to 16 welds in a row before automatically positioning the torches for their next welding position. We are capable of placing 256 precision welds in 9 minutes joining to 4’ x 8’ steel plates!  

Welding speed

This custom design and built 16-gun resistance spot welder is capable of making each set of welds in about 6 seconds and is capable of moving to its next position and then positioning itself exactly for the next 16 welds in 5 seconds.

Benefits

Midwest Metal Fabrication‘s automated multi-gun electric resistance spot welder provides “no contamination” welds and the weld strength can be calculated at 100% since the weld contains no contaminating metal. This process provides stronger welds than can be provided by conventional welding.

Other complementary services

Midwest Metal Fabrication personnel can grind welds and paint finished components with weldable primer or finish coat. We also offer assembly services, if needed. Midwest Metal Fabrication personnel can affix product identifiers or stamp them onto a finished product or component. Grinding welds is normally not required.

When a project calls for heavy gauge components that require our unique continuous seam electric thermal joining process, call Midwest Metal Fabrication! Call us today at 1-219-931-3131, email us at sales@midwestmetalfabrication.com, or send a fax using 1-219-844-8512 to get a quick quote to help solve your heavy gauge steel fabricating problems.

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