Those who work with welding design often aim to buy components for the best price possible. But that is not all you can do to save money -- you can also ensure that you get the most out of your materials.
Here are five things you can do to make your welding design more cost-effective:
Welding Design for Your Wallet
1. Eliminate Extra Welds
This is a common problem for lots of people, but if you look for ways to reduce the amount of time spent on pointless practices it will save you time and money. A good way to combat this problem is to specify a fillet gauge so your vendor can accurately produce the specified weld.
Metal fabrication is a process that requires a little contemplation to get the job done economically. So, aim to look for ways to modify product designs so that you're not producing unnecessary extra welds. Another example: Instead of making a part with an open corner, you could change the design to allow for a closed corner, saving you precious metal.
2. Enhance Welding Processes
Consider how you can make the welding process more efficient. Look at:
- Wire diameter
- Wire feed speed
- Gas type
- Transfer mode
- Voltage
- Travel speed
- Anything else that could be hindering efficiency
A careful examination will enable you to be more resourceful.
3. Optimize Joint Preparation
In some instances, it may be better to double bevel a joint before welding because it can prevent weld material from being wasted. In fact, it's recommended that any material ¾” in thickness or more be double beveled.
4. Position Piece Properly for Optimal Efficiency
During the welding process, you will probably need to weld in different positions to achieve your objective. But it’s better to weld in either a flat or horizontal position because it increases the disposition rate. Welding in other positions such as vertical up, 3 o'clock, and overhead reduces the disposition rate because of the limited puddle size.
Strategy Before Action
Welding design doesn't have to be a costly practice. With some careful thought and strategic planning, you can produce your ideal welding designs.
