mig weld audi r8

[Mr J Morton]

I got sucked into watching a sky documentary about the Audi r8 production process.

Most of the welding was done by hand using what looked like a MIG. I would have expected a TIG. Just wondered if this is correct or were they using a tig machine I've not heard of with an automatic wire feed?

Jonnym

 

[Shox Dr]

I think I have watched the same program a while back. They were using MIG for the areas the robotic welders couldn't get to

 

[biosbill]

Seconded. I watched this (as part of a uni lecture funnily enough!) and they were MIG welding stuff together, I thought it a bit odd. But I guess its much faster and easier for them once the MIG is setup right..

William

 

[pedrobedro]

They will probably not be mig welders as we know them though Serious double pulse inverter mig welders designed for aluminium are as good as tig and produce welds similar in appearance. They can also weld the boron steels and braze the galvanised panels used in newer cars.

 

[mike os]

probably not clarke 130's

 

[M@tt]

when was it on? or do you know what the programme was called?

i would be interested in watching that

cheers

 

[Shox Dr]

I saw it on one of the Discovery channels, so it will be repeated forever and a day

 

[tigler]

That was quite a good program. They were using some sort of MIG, main reason has got to be speed. Imagine doing it with TIG, the rods would be a pain !

 

[mike os]

think it was megafactories

 

[hotrodder]

http://vimeo.com/10333888, on youtube as well

 

[matt1978]

Welded with a mixture of conventional Pulse mig (Fronius TPS 450 power source) and CMT (Cold Metal Transfer) also with Fronius power sources, but probably a TPS 4000 or 5000

 

[NTwoO]

I once was at Francochamps at a Ferrari meet. One of the blokes was responsible for fixing up the 360 cup racers that were bashed up. They also used a mig machine (a Migatronic). The welds were crisp tig like welds.

 

[Mr J Morton]

I knew you clever lot would know. So I'm getting the vibe you don't think my Cosmo 170 would be up to welding an R8 . Good documentry those guys have some real skills.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Should be fine, you'll just have to fit a dimmer switch in the power lead and have someone whizz it up and down quickly to emulate the pulse feature.

 

[droopsnoot]

when was it on? or do you know what the programme was called?

i would be interested in watching that

cheers

I belive this is it: http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/16086064/National-Geographic-Ultimate-Car-Factories-Audi/Product.html

or you can get the box set with all five on it.

 

[NeilH]

would any of the professionals here who weld for a living care to tell me why TIG is a better weld than MIG?

i know its the most pleasing on the eye but is it a stronger weld or something?

 

[Delgado]

If the same grade filler material is used and provided the welder knows what they're doing there should be no difference in weld quality. Obviously there are other considerations, but most of the time it's a question of using the right process for the right job, sometimes it's better (easier) to do something with TIG, other times its better (faster) to do something with MIG. If you were working in a decent fab shop then you'd most likely have MIG/MAG(one set up for carbon steel and one for stainless if you're lucky), TIG and MMA all to hand. At the end of the day, a decent welder should be able to produce pretty, sound welds with any of the 3 main processes.

 

[NTwoO]

And oxy-acetylene

Usually MIG/MAG is better/handier for series work. The time it takes to switch between metals is quite high (different wire, different driver wheels, different torch maybe, different gas). In comparison, switching with TIG is just a matter of grabbing a different rod and maybe change the tungsten.

 

[Mr J Morton]

Should be fine, you'll just have to fit a dimmer switch in the power lead and have someone whizz it up and down quickly to emulate the pulse feature.

Would it work if kicked it up and down the yard instead, usual behaviour as its an SIP.

jonnym

(to be honest its a good welder now Ive modded it!)

 

[malcolm]

I had the chance to look around the Audi aluminium plant at Neckarsulm (where they make the A8) about 12 years ago. It was a fabulous couple of weeks and for some reason I was booked into a Schloss with proper spiral staircases and brilliant food - they must have thought I was a director. Didn't get a chance to look at the body shell production area. Back then synergic mig was state of the art and I was told the manufacturers spent a lot of time on-site getting things just right.

These days synergic MIG is commonplace in manufacturing and a whole lot quicker than TIG. To answer NeilH with my limited DIY hat on - any process done right will work fine. Choice of process will be a trade off between set up, machine cost, time, and flexibility required. If someone sent me an Audi to weld up I'd use TIG because I've already got one. Those guys use MIG because it's way faster.