While one of the most widely used and accessible methods of welding, gas metal arc welding (GMAW) is actually a balancing act of many important variables that greatly affect the quality of the weld. Commonly known as MIG welding (short for “metal inert gas”), this method utilizes a consumable metal as an electrode like shielded metal arc welding in the form of a wire. The wire is fed semi-automatically or automatically through a gun that supplies the shielding gas necessary for protecting the weld pool from exposure to the atmosphere.
For millennia, metals have been manipulated to man’s wants and needs. But from primitive hammers and anvils to high-tech robotic lasers, man’s methods of manipulation have changed and evolved drastically over time. The impact of advancements in welding has built skyscrapers, automobiles, and even nuclear reactors, but the genesis of welding looked nothing like the advanced technology we have at our disposal today. Paving the way for modern structures and safer machines, welding plays a crucial role in our daily lives.