MIG Welding GCD-level Options
The MIG Welding operation provides the following options, which can be set on a per-GCD basis:
Weld Cycle Time Method
Welding arc time (see the formula for Weld Time in MIG Welding Operation Weld Time) is determined in one of two ways:
• Volumetric Rate Method: based on the following:
o Weld volume
o Deposition rate (derived from the machine properties Wire Feed Rate and Wire Diameter)
• Linear Rate Method: based on the following:
o Weld length
The linear rate method is used by default in starting point VPEs. Administrators can customize the default (for both MIG and TIG welding) by setting the cost model variable weldLinearFeedRate to false. Users can override the default with this setup option.
See the formulas for Volume Method Arc Time and Length Method Arc Time in MIG Welding Operation Weld Time.
Filler Material Type
By default in starting point VPEs, the weld is assumed to use Steel filler. Administrators can customize the default with the cost model variable defaultMigWeldingMaterialType. Users can override the default filler type on a part-by-part basis with this setup option. Select from the dropdown list, (which is populated from the Material Type column of the lookup table tblWeldTravelSpeed).
Filler material type affects travel speed, which affects MIG Welding Operation Weld Time for the Linear Rate Weld Cycle Time Method. It also affects MIG Welding Weld Weight and the MIG Welding Expendable Tooling Calculation.
Travel Speed
If the linear rate Weld Cycle Time Method is used, weld time is based, in part, on travel speed. By default, travel speed is derived from Weld Throat and Filler Material Type—see MIG Welding Operation Weld Time. Users can override the default on a part-by-part basis with this setup option.
Number of Welding Passes
If the linear rate Weld Cycle Time Method is used, weld time is based, in part, on the number of welding passes used for weld (that is, the number of times the weld head traverses the length of the weld). By default, the number of passes is derived from Weld Throat—see MIG Welding Operation Weld Time. Users can override the default on a part-by-part basis with this setup option.
Gas Type used for Welding
By default, the type of gas used for welding is specified by the cost model variable defaultMigWeldingGasType (Argon in starting point VPEs). Users can override the default with this setup option. Gas type affects gas cost—see Additional Direct Costs for MIG Welding.
Enable Anti-Spatter Spray
By default in starting point VPEs, costs for antispatter spray are included in expendable tooling costs—see MIG Welding Expendable Tooling Calculation. Administrators can customize the default, and specify no cost for antisplatter spray, by setting the cost model variable weldAntiSpatterSprayEnabled to false. Users can override the default on a per weld basis with this setup option.