A butt weld has to be performed on short lengths of sheet metal. It could be done by Plasma Arc Welding, by Electron Beam or by Laser Beam Welding: which process should be preferred?
Given the availability of different processes, once the quality requirements are satisfied, the most economic one should be selected. The economy of performance, expressed as cost per weld, has to be calculated by taking into account all the expenses for equipment, consumables, workforce, handling etc. A first evaluation can be done by comparing advantages and disadvantages of each process in turn. If manual and automatic operation can be performed, the cost of both should be estimated. (Note: See as a Guide our page on Welding Cost Estimate). Plasma Arc Welding (PAW): Advantages of PAW as compared to GTAW: • Higher energy concentration, higher heat • Improved arc stability, especially at low current • Greater arc length tolerance • Greater plasma and welding speed, shorter weld time • Tungsten contamination eliminated • Less skill required for manual welding • For larger thicknesses welding in one pass with Keyhole technique • Smaller weld volume, less filler metal than with GTAW. • R
