The technical scheme of welding work may contain a separate item on the direction of thermal exposure. Typical manual and arc techniques, to varying degrees, allow the use of oblique welding methods. The problem is that on a vertical surface, the melt naturally flows down, complicating the workflow. But how to cook ceiling seams that are completely turned down to the flooring? After all, the melt will drip, in principle, not allowing the operation to be performed qualitatively. In this case, there are some tricks that are successfully applied in practice.
What equipment is used?
The equipment used is standard, but of high quality. This may be a typical combination of a generator, a transducer and in some cases a semi-automatic holderelectrode wire. The basis of the technical base can be formed by an inverter with suitable characteristics in terms of current strength, voltage ranges and functionality. Specific indicators are determined by the requirements for the connection and the properties of the target workpiece. How to cook a ceiling seam with an inverter? Next, the optimal conditions for the working process will be considered, but at this stage it is necessary to prepare the equipment and take into account that the current supply mode should preferably be pulsed. At the same time, difficulties can logically arise when working with thick structures, since medium electrodes of 2-4 mm are recommended for ceiling welding, but no more. Like semi-automatic welding, large format electrodes are mainly used by professionals in the implementation of large-scale projects.
General Tips on Welding Techniques
Ceiling joints require higher current than vertical and horizontal arcs. The electrode is tilted relative to the surface of the workpiece at an angle of about 80-90°. The flowing slag will not cause problems when tilted forward, which will allow the formation of buried rollers. How to weld ceiling seams to ensure full control of the arc? First, it must be short. This will facilitate both the ignition process and further control of welding. Secondly, the length of the arc is best controlled if the joining is done “on itself” with an inclination relative to the edges of the workpiece.
The size and shape of the bead may vary depending on the material and parameters of the seam. On the one hand, you have toform its volume while the melt is also in a controlled state, and on the other hand, the high speed of electrode manipulation can adversely affect the accuracy of welding. The best way to control the electrode is using the “ladder” technique. This means that the width of the bead should be approximately two or three times the diameter of the electrode, including its coating. This ratio will allow more effective control of the molten metal.
Creating an overlay
It has already been noted that the current values in the case of ceiling joints differ from conventional welding methods. If it is not possible to apply current in a high range, then narrow electrodes of 1-2 mm can be used. This will allow you to form small seams with minimal energy consumption. How to weld a ceiling seam with the formation of narrow rollers by electric welding? The first layer is optimally laid with a width twice the diameter of the electrode. That is, the bead will pass along the border of the surfacing "on itself" with a width of 2-4 mm. In the future, the rollers are made wider from left to right. It is important to foresee the possibility of changing the position of the operator, since each new bead may require surfacing from different sides.
Creating a butt joint
The most important stage in the formation of classic joints is the creation of the root of the seam. It is formed without manipulation of the electrodes while providing oscillatory movements using the "ladder" technique. The electrodes canuse with a diameter of 3 mm, and the current may have initial values. How to weld ceiling seams at the stage of creating the root rod? It is immediately determined whether there should be welding from the back. If it is needed, then special attention is paid to the quality of the roller by the operator. In its structure there should be no defects such as undercuts and hangings. It is desirable to perform such rollers during the movement of the electrode from one edge to another, lingering on each of them. In the future, the resulting root seam will not require additional processing on different sides with a sample. Having completed the basic cleaning of the splashes of melt and slag, it will be possible to begin the formation of the second bead.
Filling section area
From the second to the last layer of the bead, welding is done with a 3 mm electrode at medium or maximum currents. When performing the second and third rollers, the formation of a "humped" structure should be avoided. This effect usually occurs with excessive delays at the edges of the rollers. How to cook a ceiling seam so that its design is as smooth as possible? Typically, such tasks are set for joints, which should have a concave or normal surface. For ceiling welding, these are particularly challenging tasks. Much will depend on the speed of movement of the electrode with the correct calculation of the delay time. Movements must correspond to the rate of formation of the optimal volume of beads, but in such a way that the penetration remains intact along the entire contour. At the same time, the concavity of the seam can only occur when the electrode is tilted forward. The step size is donemore than vertical welding.
Front zone penetration
For the outer surface, an unfilled volume of the roller is left. The penultimate roller will be the most responsible, since it will determine the initial parameters of the structure for the formation of the front side of the seam. Not filling the groove is recommended to be done in the range of 1.5-2 mm. How to cook ceiling seams on the front layer? It is desirable to make the passage single, but if the width is large and the workpiece is thick, then several operations may be required. To avoid the formation of too high a seam height, the forward arc method should be used. If welding is performed in several passes, then the electrode manipulation technique will have to focus on connecting the tops of the side beads without sharp transitions - this part can be performed using the ladder penetration method.
Safety - what to consider?
Working with the weld pool upside down is the most dangerous for both the welder and the surrounding surfaces. An uncontrolled melt can cause serious injury, so it is important to consider safety precautions in advance. How to cook a ceiling seam by welding to minimize the risks of harm to he alth? At a minimum, the following rules must be followed:
- Make sure all wiring is properly insulated.
- Completely excludes work in wet areas.
- Outdoor work activities are also prohibited.
- Work should be in overalls with a full dressing,welding mask and gloves.
- Compliance with the general fire safety rules for welding regardless of method.
Conclusion
In the professional field of work in difficult conditions, the welding directions are standard and can be performed on a regular basis. But how to cook a ceiling seam by electric welding for an ordinary home craftsman? Even if all recommendations on operating parameters are observed, the lack of experience in performing manipulations with the same electrodes will not allow you to immediately count on a qualitative result. However, a series of test penetrations on the workpieces in the same inverted melt bath position will increase the chances of forming an even and strong seam.
