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Chapter 29 - Goodheart-Willcox

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generally used to excite the lasing material in the laser<br />

source, releasing photons. Photon energy is allowed to<br />

build up in the laser or laser welding machine until the<br />

desired level is reached. The energy is then released to<br />

fuse the weld joint.<br />

Fusion occurs at the point where the laser beam<br />

strikes the weldment. Laser beams may be continuous<br />

or pulsed. They can be focused with lenses to a very<br />

small and accurate beam. Their direction can be<br />

changed through the use of mirrors.<br />

Electron Beam Welding (EBW)<br />

Figure <strong>29</strong>-14 shows the basic parts of an electron<br />

beam welding (EBW) machine. Electrons are emitted<br />

from the electron gun. They are then focused and<br />

directed at the weld joint. The kinetic energy of the<br />

electrons creates the heat for welding. Kinetic energy<br />

is the energy of an object in motion. In this case, the<br />

objects in motion are the electrons.<br />

Electron beam welding may be done in a high vacuum,<br />

a partial vacuum, or under normal atmosphere<br />

pressure. A vacuum is a condition in which atmospheric<br />

pressure in a closed vessel has been decreased.<br />

This is done by pumping out air. Figure <strong>29</strong>-15 shows<br />

an electron beam welder in use in industry. The<br />

beam energy is easier to direct under high vacuum<br />

conditions. Also, less energy is lost in a vacuum.<br />

358<br />

Column<br />

valve<br />

Optics<br />

Magnetic lens<br />

Deflection coil<br />

High vacuum<br />

3″ 75 mm<br />

Base metal Weld joint<br />

Upper<br />

column<br />

Electron<br />

gun<br />

Vacuum<br />

chamber<br />

Figure <strong>29</strong>-14. The basic parts of an electron beam welding<br />

machine shown in schematic form. Note that, in this machine,<br />

the weldment is mounted in a vacuum chamber. (PTR-Precision<br />

Technologies, Inc.)<br />

Advantages of Laser and Electron<br />

Beam Welding<br />

Laser and electron beam welding machines are<br />

made in a variety of energy levels. The greater the electrical<br />

energy input, the greater the energy output.<br />

Nd:YAG lasers are produced in sizes from 100W–4000W<br />

(watts). CO 2 lasers are produced in sizes from<br />

500W–25,000W. A 600W Nd:YAG laser will penetrate<br />

steel .01″ (2.5 mm) in thickness.<br />

Electron beam welding machines are produced in<br />

sizes from 1kW–100kW (kilowatts). A 100kW EB<br />

welding machine will produce 100% penetration on<br />

steel 10″ (254 mm) thick. See Figure <strong>29</strong>-16. Laser beam<br />

and electron beam welding offer these advantages:<br />

Figure <strong>29</strong>-15. This electron beam welding machine comes with<br />

an optical viewing system, video, wire feed, vacuum chamber,<br />

and CNC technology. (PTR-Precision Technologies, Inc.)<br />

Figure <strong>29</strong>-16. A cross section of an electron beam weld. Notice<br />

how thin the weld is in relation to the metal thickness.<br />

(PTR-Precision Technologies, Inc.)<br />

Welding Technology Fundamentals<br />

• Low heat input.<br />

• Controlled welding atmospheres.<br />

• The ability to weld dissimilar metals.<br />

• The ability to weld parts as thin as .001″–.002″<br />

(.025 mm–.050 mm).<br />

• No need for filler metal.<br />

• Very precise aiming of beams to produce<br />

accurate and repeatable welds.<br />

Special Cutting Processes<br />

Special cutting processes using oxyfuel gas and<br />

oxygen arc cutting equipment have been developed<br />

for use in underwater salvaging and repairs. Other<br />

special thermal cutting processes were developed to<br />

6<br />

5<br />

4<br />

3<br />

2<br />

1<br />

7<br />

23<br />

<strong>Chapter</strong> <strong>29</strong> Special Welding and Cutting Processes<br />

8<br />

9<br />

25<br />

24<br />

10 11<br />

26<br />

27<br />

12<br />

28<br />

permit the cutting of nonferrous metals and even concrete.<br />

These processes make it possible to cut metals<br />

that cannot be cut using regular oxyfuel gas cutting.<br />

Oxyfuel Gas Cutting (OFC) Underwater<br />

Underwater cutting is often done to repair underwater<br />

structures. It is also used to cut and salvage<br />

sunken ships. Oxyfuel gas cutting (OFC) is a process<br />

that can be done underwater, using a special torch.<br />

The torch is similar to the regular OFC torch, with two<br />

major changes. First, an air jacket is installed around<br />

the cutting tip. Second, a tube is added to carry compressed<br />

air to the air jacket, Figure <strong>29</strong>-17.<br />

Oxygen and fuel gas are mixed in the torch and<br />

burned at the tip, as in a regular cutting torch. A cutting<br />

oxygen valve and lever directs pure oxygen through<br />

39 40<br />

1–Air jacket 14–H. P. valve plug 30–“O” ring (friction)<br />

2–Lock nut 15–Valve spring 31–“O” ring (sealing)<br />

3–Tip nut 16–Seat holder assembly 32–“O” ring retainer<br />

4–Oxygen-hydrogen tip 17–Seat holder 33–Valve stem<br />

Sizes 2 to 7 18–Seat screw 34–Bolt for lever<br />

Oxygen acetylene 19–Seat 35–Lock washer<br />

Sizes 1 to 4 20–Oxygen connection 36–Acetylene control valve assembly<br />

5–Gasket 21–Nut Valve stem assembly<br />

6–Torch head 22–Tailpiece Control valve body<br />

7–H. P. oxygen tube 23–Mixing chamber tube 37–Nut<br />

8–H. P. oxygen tube coupling nut 24–Mixing chamber nut 38–Tailpiece<br />

9–Ferrule 25–Spiral mixer 39–Compressed air tube<br />

10–Lock nut 26–Acetylene tube 40–Compressed air tube coupling nut<br />

11–Barrel 27–Inner oxygen tube 41–Oxygen valve stem assembly<br />

12–Rear H. P. oxygen tube 28–Lever 42–Compressed air valve assembly<br />

13–Body <strong>29</strong>–H. P. valve “O” ring retainer assembly Valve body<br />

Valve stem assembly<br />

30<br />

15<br />

13 14<br />

16 17<br />

Figure <strong>29</strong>-17. A cross-sectional drawing of an underwater oxyfuel gas cutting torch. The air valve, part #42, controls the airflow<br />

to the air jacket, part #1. The air flow is shown in cross-hatched light green with red arrows. This high-pressure air keeps<br />

water away from the cutting tip. (Victor Equipment Co.)<br />

<strong>29</strong><br />

31<br />

OXY<br />

32<br />

41<br />

33<br />

18<br />

19<br />

34<br />

20<br />

21<br />

36<br />

35<br />

37<br />

22<br />

38<br />

42<br />

359

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