Pre-operation Preparation
Operators must hold a special operation certificate for electric welding and wear full personal protective equipment (PPE), including a welding helmet, insulating gloves, and fire-resistant workwear.
Equipment Check: Ensure the welding machine's power cord and torch cable are undamaged, the gas lines have no leaks, and the argon pressure-reducing valve and flow meter are functioning correctly.
Surface Preparation: Clean oil and rust from the welding area of the workpiece beforehand; preset parameters-such as welding current and argon flow rate (typically 8–15 L/min)-based on the base material type and thickness.
Core Operational Steps
Power-on and Arc Initiation: Connect the power supply and open the argon cylinder valve to purge air from the lines. Hold the torch so the tungsten electrode is 3–5 mm away from the workpiece, then use the high-frequency unit to bridge the gap and ignite the arc.
Welding Operation: Move the torch at a steady speed while maintaining an inclination angle of 70°–85°, using the forehand (leftward) welding technique. Feed the filler wire into the edge of the weld pool at a shallow angle (10°–15°), taking care to avoid touching the tungsten electrode, which could cause tungsten inclusion defects.
Arc Termination and Shutdown: Use the machine's current decay function to gradually taper off the arc and fill the crater to prevent cracking. After finishing the work, turn off the welding machine's power, close the gas cylinder valve, vent any residual gas, and organize the cables and gas hoses.
