What is spot welding? Advantages and disadvantages, and how it differs from other welding methods!

Welding is an indispensable operation for processing metals.

There are various types of welding, but spot welding has attracted much attention in recent years.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the advantages and disadvantages of spot welding and how it differs from other welding methods.

Please check this page for essential knowledge in safe metalworking if you are interested in this topic.

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What is spot welding?

Spot welding is a method of joining metals together using their respective power resistances.

For welding,

• fusion welding
• pressure welding
• brazing

Spot welding falls under the pressure welding category.

This technique is used in a wide range of applications from automobiles and trains to DIY because of its beautiful finish and ease of use.

The welding time is short and can be done with basic knowledge, making it easy for beginners to work with.

Another feature of spot welding is that it can be used for a wide variety of materials.

Advantages of Spot Welding

Advantages of spot welding include

• Low difficulty
• Excellent welding speed
• Easy to automate
• Can weld different materials.
• Less waste.

Let's take a closer look at each of these.

Low difficulty

Welding requires advanced knowledge and skills.

However, spot welding is a simple technique that involves applying pressure to the base metal while passing an electric current through it, so it can be performed without advanced knowledge or skills.

Differences in workmanship between newcomers and veterans are difficult to create, and once the basics are learned, a certain level of quality can be maintained.

It is also safer because, unlike arc welding, there is less risk of explosion or electric shock.

Excellent welding speed

Spot welding is an excellent method for welding speed.

As explained earlier, even beginners can handle it with basic knowledge and minimal equipment, making it suitable for speedy processing.

They are also well suited for mass production, and in recent years an increasing number of companies have been utilizing industrial robots to mass produce specific products.

Easy to automate

Spot welding is a simple technique that is easy to automate and suitable for mass production.

Robots specialized for spot welding are also on the rise, and automation and systemization are expected to further advance in the future.

Can weld different materials.

Spot welding is a highly versatile technique.
Basically any material that conducts electricity easily can be connected.

For example, it is possible to connect different materials such as stainless steel and nickel, making it very convenient.

Less waste.

Spot welding is a welding technique that has minimal impact on the base metal.
This, in turn, reduces the number of consumable parts, leading to cost reductions.

At the same time, the processing can be done in an environmentally friendly manner, which is expected to enhance the company's credibility.

Disadvantages of spot welding

Such spot welding has the following disadvantages.

• Costs tend to be high
• Weak strength

Let's take a closer look at each of these.

Costs tend to be high

Earlier, we explained that spot welding is less wasteful and easy to reduce costs, but this only means "less waste in consumables.
From other perspectives, the cost can be prohibitive.

A typical example is electrical equipment.
When spot welding, a large amount of current is applied, so it is costly to provide dedicated equipment.

Also, if cost is a priority, the cost of electricity must be considered.

In some cases, it is cheaper to outsource spot welding than to invest in expensive equipment in-house and bear high electricity costs.

Weak strength

The greatest disadvantage in spot welding is its low strength.
Unlike other welding methods, welding is done at spots (dots), which inevitably reduces strength.

Therefore, if strength is required, or if it is already known to be subjected to a large impact, it must be welded in a different way.

Differences between spot welding and other welding methods

Let us now take a closer look at the differences between spot welding and other welding methods.

projection welding

Projection welding is a welding method in which small projections are formed on the metal pieces to be joined and placed between electrodes.

Spot welding focuses on the "spot" and is fundamentally different in its mechanism.

In addition, special equipment and techniques are used compared to spot welding, which is done with simple equipment and techniques, and therefore more expensive.

seam welding

Seam welding is a welding technique in which metal is sandwiched between roller-shaped electrodes and current is applied while rotating the electrodes.

Like spot welding, seam welding is classified as pressure welding, but seam welding is not spot welding but "line" welding.

Unlike spot welding, which is useful in situations where localized joining is required, seam welding is a highly efficient welding method for mass production.

Laser welding

Laser welding is a technique classified as fusion welding.

Unlike spot welding, which uses electrodes to apply pressure and current to specific areas to join them together, this process uses a high-energy laser beam to melt the metal and create a seam.

Unlike spot welding, which excels at speedy welding, laser welding is suitable for joining complex shapes.

Because of this,

• medical equipment
• Aerospace parts

It is often used for such purposes as

arc welding

Arc welding is a method of joining metals together using the electrical discharge phenomenon in air and is classified as fusion welding.

In contrast to spot welding, which uses heat generated by electrical resistance, arc welding uses arc discharge to melt and join base materials.

Unlike spot welding, which is suitable for joining thin sheet metal, arc welding is often used for structures, buildings, bridges, and other large objects.

Types of Spot Welders

There are two main types of spot welders: stationary and portable.

The stationary type is set in a welding machine for processing, which often creates size limitations.

Portable types are available in gantry and station types, and two types of welding methods are available: double-sided spot and prod welding.

Its small size and portability make it ideal for detailed work.

Where do you request spot welding?

Spot welding is relatively low in difficulty and can be performed by anyone with minimal equipment and basic knowledge.

Since no specific license is required, they are often used for DIY projects.

However, since power supply equipment is costly and electricity bills tend to be high, in some cases it may be more cost-effective to outsource the work.

However, there are many companies that offer spot welding services, so it often takes time to find the best partner for your company.

In such cases, we recommend Taiga, a platform that connects users and partners.

Taiga aims to provide safe manufacturing by eliminating the need to place and receive orders in manufacturing.

Many useful functions, such as a chat function and a drawing editing function, are also available for those who are interested.

Summary

Spot welding is a method of joining metals together using their respective power resistances.

Because of its low difficulty and speed, it is used in a variety of metalworking applications.

However, while this can lead to cost savings in terms of leanness, it inevitably leads to higher costs for electricity and power supply equipment, and in some cases it may be better to outsource the work.

It is recommended that you find a partner with whom you can do business over a long period of time, especially if you do spot welding on an ongoing basis.

By using Taiga, you will be able to find a partner you can trust, as well as to place and receive orders smoothly and securely, so please give it a try.

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