Design, fabrication and testing of a semi-automatic welding fixture for circumferential joining cylinders using MIG welding

Abstract

This paper presents the systematic approach of design, fabrication and testing of the circumferentially joining on welding fixture which is being carried out at Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA Balik Pulau (welding fabrication) and PPKM, Kampus Kejuruteraan USM Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang (destructive testing). The MIG welding unit is used to make a circumferential joining on tank and piping which are fixed onto the welding fixture and a several parameters setting of voltage, current and travel speed (rotational speed) is used for fabrication setup. The ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Code VIII (Pressure Vessels and Piping) is applied based on circumferential welding methodology standard. The research are focused to the structure produce by emphasis on the mild steel (0.16 – 0.29% carbon) as the common tank and piping materials. The fabrication fixture with constant speed of rotation by revolved the tank or pipe is developed as a dynamic structure with electrical adjustable speed control motor. The joint of mechanical properties are determined by means of static tensile test, impact test and hardness test. The correlation between the welding joint and destructive testing is evaluated of its welding joint structure by using microscope.