TWI Bulletin, March - April 2009

Case Study: Burning desire to succeed

A visit to Bray Burners of Leeds by Geoff Eames of TWI Technology Centre (Yorkshire) showed that interest in the help to be gained from a Product and Process Review under the Joining Forces Yorkshire and Humber technologytransfer programme was strong throughout the company.

Bray Burners make many burner types, using various joining methods. Seeking advice on joining technology for a new type of cylindrical burner, the main thrust of the review was to look at the TIG welding process used to joinstainless steel cylinder butt joints and end caps, and resistance welding for cylinder to flange applications.

The primary aim was to obtain the optimum production parameters during the prototype stage. Advice was given on lengthening electrode tip life and angle by better gas coverage. This also served the purpose of improving cleanlinessof the HAZ area.

MAG welding of the venturi to the body flange resulted in an oversized weld so it was recommended that TIG welding would be a better process for this application.

Such changes, while not major, resulted in real benefits to the whole production process thus improving productivity and profit margins.