Welding machines are used in the process of welding, or of joining together usually two pieces of metal, but sometimes two pieces of plastic

Welding machines use a fabrication process, and they join the metals together by causing coalescence. Sometimes a filler material is added to make a pool of molten metal that becomes a strong joint when it is cooled. Sometimes a welding machine will use pressure with head to crate the weld. Welding itself is often confused with soldering and brazing. These processes involve melting a metal that has a lower melting point to form a bond between two work pieces without melting the work pieces themselves.

Welding machines can be used for various types of welding including Arc, Tig, Mig, laser and other types of welding. Welding machines began to be used with more frequency early in the 20^th century due to advances in technology. Welding machines replaced bolting and riveting as a primary method of connecting two pieces of metal together. Welding, and welding machines are used in the construction of many items. These include bridges, buildings, ships and aircraft.  Welding and the use of welding machines are vital to manufacturing.

Which welding machine will be used in a process depends on the type of welding that will work best with a particular metal. The physical properties of the metal used must be taken into consideration. Looking at the types of welding machines used and the methods is interesting.  Gas welding is a nonpressure process and it uses gas to create flame and heat. Arc welding and the welding machines used to create it are used for joining steel to steel. These welding machines create an electric arc, which generates enough heat to melt the metal. Arc welding is a fast method which uses high heat and causes less distortion that some welding methods. 

There are many new welding machines on the market that use electron beams and lasers for welding. These welding machines require specialized training. But it would be a mistake to think that Mig, Tig or Arc welding is done by people without education. Welders and welding technicians are highly sought after professionals and most have put in long years of   training for this specialized profession. Most good and experienced welders have backgrounds in working with several different types of welding machines. In fact, the major welding schools in the US all teach all of the major welding machines, including theory, care, maintenance, and their safe operation for making effective welds. If hiring a graduate of one of the welding schools, whether it is a technical school, a vocational school, a university program, or a community college it is a safe assumption that the graduation has had exposure to all of the major welding machines used in industry today. 

Welding machines have come a long way from their humble beginnings when all welding was done in a force. Today’s welding machines often have computer microchips inside them to regulate heat, are able to make minute welds suitable for the computer industry, and are trusted with construction of some of the worlds’ most complicated pieces of machinery like the B-2 Stealth bomber. In addition, welding machines are used to make the buildings where we live. Welding machines have come a long way.