First-class in Weldments
Axenics has some of the most experienced TIG and orbital welding staff in the country. Each of our welding staff members is expertly trained and certified to ensure optimal performance. Our technicians perform a variety of custom fabrications for stainless steel and many different types of plastic weldments including: valves, solenoids, pneumatics, piping assemblies and more. Our certified welders are capable of producing high-quality weldments from sizes ranging from ⅛-inch all the way up to 6 inches in diameter.
Experts in High-Purity Welding Services
High-purity welding is used in the semiconductor, medical and aerospace industries to name a few. High-purity welding is done in a cleanroom setting where there is a controlled environment, preventing fewer contaminants from entering the weld area. This is important because the gases or fluids going through the tubing need to remain ultra pure.
Weld quality and integrity are based mainly upon the penetration, oxidation and bead of the weld. A weld is at its strongest when the bead fully penetrates the inner wall of the tubing. A partially penetrated weld is proven to be weaker.
In the industries that demand high-purity welding, like semiconductor and medical, the oxidation of the weld is another solid gauge to the level of weld quality. Dirty welds, or welds with heavy oxidation, lead to contaminants getting into the contents of the system the tubing is servicing. To eliminate dirty welds, the welder purges them with an inert gas on the inside and outside which helps reduce the oxidation levels to make a cleaner weld.
Our technicians’ trained eyes can look at the beading of the welded joint and quickly tell the difference between a good weld and a bad weld. A good weld is exceptionally consistent in both spacing and width throughout the entire weld. If you inspect a bad weld, you will find a wide variation in the bead width and even the length.
Axenics TIG Welding Expertise
Axenics has a deep knowledge and expertise in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), also known as Tungsten Inert Gas or TIG Welding. We perform this type of welding because it allows for accurate, repeatable and refined welding and is, therefore, ideal for projects where there is a need for high quality and precision.
Our team of certified welders is capable of producing weldments that range from ⅛” to 6” in diameter and larger, and we have developed highly-effective methods to create weldments in various shapes and sizes to meet the specific needs and challenges of a wide range of customers.
TIG welding of stainless steel can be performed both with or without the use of filler metal, which makes it a popular welding method in a variety of industries. There are two main categories of TIG welding, resulting in two different types of weldments.
Autogenous weldments are produced by joining metal surfaces without the use of a filler metal. This method is often used when welding carbon and stainless steels, because of their low heat-conductivity properties. It is also commonly used for relatively small welds. It is easiest to perform autogenous welding when the thickness of the metals to be joined is less than 5mm, though it can be done with thicker metals in some cases.
In homogeneous welding, a filler metal is used to join two metals together. When using this method, the filler material used will be the same as the base metal.
There is also a third type of metal joining, where a filler material different from the base material is used. This is sometimes referred to as heterogeneous welding. Soldering and brazing are two examples of this type of joining process.
Weld Styles
There are many styles of welds that can be performed depending on what you’re trying to accomplish:
Autogenous
Autogenous method of welding is ideal for carbon and stainless steels due to their low heat conductivity and is used for relatively small welds. This type of welding service is performed by fusing two surfaces without using any filler metal.
Freehand
Freehand welding is relatively easy to perform and is usually used to create flat, square and small weldments. Creating consistency with this method, however, can be difficult.
Cup walking
Cup walking is an ideal welding method for use with larger diameter piping, but it is a difficult method to master. The welds created using this method are consistent. This technique works well in positions. The type of weldment you are trying to produce will determine whether you can use the cup walking technique.
Choosing the right welding services provider
There are many reasons why companies need to invest in welding services. As with any investment, it’s important to do your research to make sure you’re getting the best value for your dollar. It’s also important to understand that there are many factors that can affect the cost of welding services.
The more experienced, better equipped and properly staffed a welding services provider is, the better they should be able to minimize the overall costs. Therefore, when shopping for a welding services provider, you should find out what systems each organization has in place to provide the highest quality products in the timeliest and most cost-effective manner.
Welding is a time-consuming process, no matter how experienced the welder. Time, therefore, is often the most expensive factor to consider. Of course, a more experienced and skilled welder will be faster by default and will be more likely to find efficient ways to save time, which will ultimately affect the overall cost and quality.
Some examples of processes included in welding services where time is significant factor include:
- Preparing joints
- Preparing materials to be welded (such as removing oils, blasting, etc.)
- Assembling joints
- Preheating joints when necessary
- Tack-up
- Positioning
- Welding (time will vary depending on how automated the process is)
- Removing slag when necessary
- Removing splatter
- Inspecting welds and joints
- Changing electrodes
- Moving welders from one location to another
- Changing welding machine settings
- Repairing/reworking defective welds
Because the cost of welding services can vary depending on the time required for each of the processes listed above, and the materials and equipment being used, it’s best to work with an organization like Axenics that specializes in providing cost-efficient and quality welding services.
Don’t let tight fittings cramp your production.
Your next solution is in our welding guide.
