Analysis of the Arc Current of CMT Brazing Process

The system with short circuiting metal transfer in comparison to common MIG/MAG process was introduced as CMT (Cold Metal Transfer) process by the Fronius company in 2004. The paper deals with the arc current analysis of the CMT process during MIG brazing of automotive components. The TPS 5000 CMT power source together with VR 7000 CMT wire feeder, Robacta Drive CMT welding torch and CuAl 5 Ni 2, Ø1 mm filler metal were used. In order to monitor the welding current, the galvanic separator WS 1.0, digital oscilloscope ETC M621 and IBM notebook with software applications ETC Scope M621 were engaged. A current waveform in the stage D at the time of 5s from the brazing process beginning within duration of 50 ms was closely analysed. The analysis revealed the total ratio of the arc burning to the total brazing time to be approximately 26%. The starting and ending phases of short-circuit were performed at decreased current (approximately 34 to 38 % of the current value during arc burning), which was very positive from the transient effect point of view, and could not be proclaimed for the conventional short-circuit droplet transfer modes.