ambient air or moisture present, the weld will be of a lower quality. In order to combat this problem, shield gases are used to remove the ambient air and increase the quality of the weld. The type of gas used as a shield gas is often dependent on the type of weld being done and the material of the metal being joined.
Argon and argon mixtures are the most common shield gases used for welding. The mixture must be blended to an accuracy of between ±1% and ±5% depending on the unique demands of the customer ordering the shielding gas from the specialty gas producer. The higher the purity of the gases, the better the result.
Large shops or manufacturers often must store gases on-site then pipe the gas to equipment. Measuring the flow of gases in this system to track usage and compare to purchase manifests allows operators to find inefficiencies or leaks in the system. As these very pure specialty gases come at a premium, it is crucial that operators detect leaks early in order to maintain stock and keep costs under control.
Inefficiencies in aging or damaged equipment can be detected by tracking usage across the gas delivery system. Finding these inefficiencies early can allow the operator to make key decisions for maintenance or replacement strategies.
More on Shield Gas Flow
<< Read less