Posted by Robert Hernandez on Feb 14th 2025
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Waist joint | One of several axes (straight lines about which rotation can take place) on a typical robot. |
| Warped | Twisted out of shape; in metals, usually a result of improperly applied heat. |
| Water-cooled torch | A torch that has a continuous flow of water passing through the torch body to remove heat. This type of torch is typically used above 200 amps and at high duty cycles. |
| Weaving bead | A bead formed by moving a torch or electrode holder from side to side as the pass progresses along the weld joint. |
| Weld | The blending or mixing of two or more metals or nonmetals by heating them until they are molten and flow together. |
| Weld all-around symbol | A circle drawn on the welding symbol indicating that the described weld is to be made all around the part. |
| Weld axis | An imaginary line running through the center of a completed weld. |
| Weld bead | One thickness of filler metal that is added to a weld joint. |
| Weld face | The outer surface of a weld on the side from which the weld is made. |
| Weld groove | A cut, ground, or machined surface on the workpiece designed to provide space for welding. |
| Welder | A person who performs welding activities. |
| Welding | The process of making a weld on a joint. |
| Welding gun | Typically refers to a MIG (GMAW) torch. |
| Weldment | An assembly whose component parts are joined by the welding process. |
| Weld pool | The small body of molten metal created by the arc of the torch. |
| Welding machine | A device that provides and controls the proper voltage and current for a welding task. |
| Weld metal | Both electrode and base metal that form the welding bead. |
| Weld nugget | The weld metal in a resistance spot, seam, or projection weld. |
| Welding outfit | The welding machine and other equipment required to create a weld. |
| Weld pass | One bead along a welding joint. |
|
Welding performance qualifications |
A test of a welder’s ability to weld a joint as directed by the welding procedure specification. |
| Welding positions | The position of the weld axis and weld face determines whether a weld is made in the flat, horizontal, vertical, or overhead position. |
| Welding procedure | A method by which a weld is to be made, as outlined in a welding procedure specification. |
|
Weld procedure specification |
A document that details job specifics: base metal, filler metals, preheat/post-weld treatment, thickness, and all other variables for each welding process. Items are identified as essential or nonessential. |
| Weld reinforcement | Weld metal extending beyond the upper and lower surfaces of the base metal. |
| Weld rod | The filler metal wire or rod that is melted into the weld metal. |
| Weld schedule | Same as weld sequence. |
| Weld sequence | The order in which the component parts of a structure are welded. |
| Weld station | A work area that contains the electric and gas supply, welding machine, booth, ventilation, and all supplies needed to perform welds. |
| Weld symbol | The American Welding Society (AWS) symbol on a drawing that describes joint preparation, the weld, and other requirements. |
| Weld time | The time, measured in cycles, when current flows to make a resistance weld. |
| Weld transfer | The transfer of metal from the wire to the molten puddle. |
| Wire feed speed | A measurement of filler metal feed rate, shown as in/min or mm/s. Higher wire feed speed typically increases amperage. |
| Wheel electrode | A rotating electrode used in resistance seam welding. |
| Whip motion | Rapid movement of the electrode away from and back to the weld pool or arc crater, allowing time for the weld metal to cool. |
| Wire brush | A brush with bristles of metal wire, used to clean the weld bead between passes. |
| Wire feeder | In MIG (GMAW) welding, the device that continuously feeds consumable electrode wire to the welding gun. |
| Wire tension knob | A device used to control the pressure applied to the drive rolls of a wire feeder. |
| Work booth | An arc welding work area shielded from view by solid walls, canvas curtains, or filtered transparent curtains. |
| Work hardening | The increase in strength and hardness produced by working certain metals (such as copper, iron, aluminum, and nickel). Most pronounced in cold working. |
| Working pressure gauge | The gauge on a pressure regulator that shows the pressure of the gas being supplied to the torch. |
| Working volume | The three-dimensional space in which a robot moves while performing programmed tasks. |
| Workpiece | The object or assembly being welded. |
| Workpiece connection | The way the work lead is fastened to the metal being welded. An adjustable clamp is one type of workpiece connection. |
| Workpiece lead | The conductor cable that runs between the welding machine and the work. |
| Wrist joint | One of several axes (straight lines about which rotation can take place) on a typical robot. |
| Wrought iron | An easily welded or forged iron containing about 0.2% carbon. |
