Cost equipment for arc welding is wellpriced and affordable, and the process often requires less equipment in the first place because of the lack of gas. This bulletin is written with the arc welding operator in mind, containing both mandatory safety practices and those based on shop experience. The electrode is either a rod that simply carries current between the tip and the work, or a rod or wire that melts and. Advantages and disadvantages of arc welding wasatch steel. You may be responsible for the welding equipment selection in your shop. Arc welding machinedefinition, types, parts, equipment. Selection guide arc welding equipment selection guide legend. Arcwelding introduction arc welding is the fusion of two pieces of metal by an electric arc between the pieces being joined the work pieces and an electrode that is guided along the joint between the pieces. It is a fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by causing coalescence this is often done by melting the workpiece and adding a filler material from a pool of molten material that cools to become a strong joint. Before going to arc welding we first discuss welding so, welding is defined as. A welding arc is only as good as its connection, and tweco sets the standard. However, the basic elements involved in arc welding process are shown in the below fig.