Probably the most common welding procedure is MIG welding. Rolled and welded metal angle rings made out of angle iron commonly used as flanges are usually welded on the “outside only,” i.e. on the side opposite the face of the angle ring and on the outside of the vertical leg of the leg-out angle ring.
Bar ring flanges are also commonly welded using MIG welding. The rings can be tack welded, welded all around, or beveled and welded. They can also be welded on one side and then “back gouged” into the weld from the other side and welded again. This last method is one way of creating a full-penetration weld.
All welding processes use some method of shielding the weld to eliminate any contamination from the environment. In this regard, submerged arc welding can be a valuable option. Submerged arc welding uses a granulated flux to shield the weld. The granular flux is laid down as the welding process occurs and is recovered for reuse after the weld is complete. One benefit from using submerged arc welding is that there is no or minimal flash to harm the welder’s eyes.
Submerged arc welding is commonly used with motorized track welders. One type moves the welding gun along the metal to be welded which remains stationary. Another type has the welding gun stationary while the metal to be welded moves.
In both cases, a useful machine is a welding manipulator. This machine can hold the welding gun stationary at an adjustable height and reach while two cylinders, for example, are welded together as they turn on rotary positioners. Alternately, the welding manipulator can move horizontally to weld the seam of a stationary rolled cylinder.
Furthermore, submerged arc welding with a positioner can be used to weld flanges to the ends of cylinders.
The combination of submerged arc welding with a manipulator is often the optimal solution to welding metal rings and cylinders.
