MIG welding is the process of using electricity to melt and join pieces of metal together. MIG welding is sometimes referred to as the "hot glue gun" of the welding world.

MIG welding uses an arc of electricity to create a short circuit between a continuously fed anode, the wire-fed welding gun and a cathode, the metal being welded. The heat produced by the short circuit, along with a non-reactive inert gas locally melts the metal and allows them to mix together. When the heat is removed, the metal begins to cool and solidify, and forms a new piece of fused metal.

A few years ago the full name - Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding was changed to Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW). However the name MIG welding is still the most commonly used term in the industry.

MIG welding is useful because you can use it to weld many different types of metals: carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, magnesium, copper, nickel, silicon bronze and other alloys.

Advantages of MIG Welding:

• Ability to join a wide range of metals and thicknesses
• All-position welding capability
• A good weld bead
• A minimum of weld splatter

Dis-advantages of MIG Welding:

• MIG welding can only be used on thin to medium thick metals
• Use of an inert gas makes this type of welding less portable than arc welding which requires no external source of shielding gas
• Produces a somewhat messier and less controlled weld as compared to TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas Welding)

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Ekvall Engineering can handle your CNC Short Run Production needs. Our machine shop is uniquely suited for this type of project. We have succesfully completed numerous projects for our clients.

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