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Welding Glossary W

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 to carry currents over 200 amperes 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 they 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 forms 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 actually create a weld.
Weld pass One bead along a welding joint.
Welding performance qualifications A test of a welderâs 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 the specifics of the job: the base metal to be welded, the filler metals to be used, the preheat or post-welding treatment to be used, the metal thickness, and all other variables for each welding process.All items in the specification 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, the welding machine, booth, ventilation, and all required supplies to perform welds.
Weld symbol The symbol (designed by the American Welding Society) that appears on a drawing of a weldment.The symbol describes the joint preparation, the weld, and other considerations.
Weld time The time, measured in cycles, when the current flows to make a resistance weld.
Weld Transfer Process transferring metal from the wire to the molten puddle.
Wire Feed Speed A measurement of speed and amount of filler metal fed into a weld shown as in/min or mm/s. The higher the wire feed speed, the higher the amperage.
Wheel electrode A rotating electrode used in resistance seam welding.
Whip motion The rapid movement of the electrode away from and back to the weld pool or arc crater.The motion allows 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 Used in MIG (GMAW) welding, the device that continuously feeds the 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 the view of workers without eye protection by solid walls, canvas curtains, or filtered, transparent plastic curtains.
Work hardening The increase in strength and hardness produced by working certain metals such as copper, iron, aluminum and nickel.It is 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 in which the work lead is fastened to the metal to be welded on. An adjustable clamp is one type of workpiece connection.
Workpiece lead The conductor cable or electrical conductor that runs between the welding machine and the work.
Wrought iron An easily welded or forged iron containing about .2% carbon.