Welding Lab Services Optimize User Processes

The production of high quality weld seams, especially if automated and robot-assisted, requires the expertise of competent welding technologists. A fully equipped welding laboratory at SKS Welding Systems Inc. (Rochester Hills, MI) will be modeled after their parent headquarters in Kaiserslautern, Germany, to provide and coordinate training and qualification of users with the implementation of production-related feasibility studies involving a wide range of inert gases, filler materials and process parameters. This includes the selection of the arc welding process and recommendations concerning welding consumables, inert gases and suitable component and torch positions.

SKS labs use robot rotary tilting table combinations to simulate almost any conceivable component position so that all arc welding processes can be simulated in a very short time. Different torch and wear part geometries are examined for accessibility studies on the actual workpiece. An in-house metallurgical department provides microsections to review user requirements and irregularities within the weld seam. A high speed camera is available to establish the best process parameters for special applications. The results of these investigations can be discussed in detail in test reports and made available to the users. In addition to the process recommendation and the simple transfer of the results into series production, the labs also help save time and costs since less staff and time are required to determine the process parameters on-site.

SKS Welding Systems Inc., 2709 Bond Street, Suite W, Rochester Hills, MI 48309, 248-579-9185, Fax: 248-579-5039, david.marsh@us.sks-welding.com, www.sks-welding.com.