Electric arc welding apparatus and equipment

The intention of this paper is to deal with the physical features of the iron arc as used for welding ferrous metals, so far as those features are known, indicating some of the lacunÿ in present knowledge; and to describe the general types of apparatus and equipment which have been developed, illustrated by some examples of each type, and some of recent design which promise well. The two branches of the subject are directly connected, because the apparatus must conform in its performance to the conditions of the welding arc and to the requirements of the welder. Operating or workshop methods are touched on only so far as they illustrate or determine, or are determined by, the physics of the welding arc and the practical requirements of welding. Working methods and applications of arc welding have been described in several recent contributions to other Institutions and Associations, in technical journals, and in books, reports, etc. A short list of the more important of these within the author´s knowledge is set out in Appendix II at the end of the paper.