Product category:
Special purpose joining equipment
News Release from: Migatronic Welding Equipment | Subject: Flex 330 GM version MIG soldering system
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 03 June 2002
MIG soldering approved by car makers
Welding galvanised steel automotive assemblies - and repairing them - has always proven to be a problem for maintaining corrosion resistance, until MIG soldering arrived.
The new Vectra C is the first of a number of Opel models with a fully galvanised high-tensile steel body in a concept with focus on collision and corrosion protection A strength to the customer and a challenge to the workshop
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 4 Oct 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Robust universal welders meet MMA and TIG needs
Robust universal welding machines' high performance complies with all welding requirements within TIG and MMA.
Pulse MIG provides perfect surface finish
Quality welding of ever thinner exotic metal alloys can be achieved by switching over from the TIG to a cooler pulsed-MIG process that uses self-calibrating arc control.
If welded, the fully galvanised steel will loose its characteristic properties.
GM/Opel prescribes MIG soldering.
Among the few welding machines worldwide that have been approved by GM for the soldering process is the Migatronic Flex 330 GM version.
Further reading
Robot welding line sparks productivity gains
GKN Autostructures of Telford has installed a new automated manufacturing facility for the assembly of Ford Transit front suspensions, steering arms, dead beams and side members.
Robots boost electronic enclosures output
Innovative product design, combined with a flexible welded fabrication automation initiative has resulted in a 10-fold increase in productivity at an electronic enclosures manufacturer.
Robot welding improves over dedicated line
Resistance spot welding of door frames for the VW Lupo and Seat Arossa has been moved from a dedicated welding line to a twin robot system at the Brownhills plant of Wagon Automotive UK/USA
The Flex 330 GM version is a digitised, programmable welding machine perfect for MIG soldering as well as MIG/MAG and aluminium welding.
Since one specific process has been prescribed for Vectra C and the future galvanised Opel models, it will be an advantage to get a welding machine that is perfect for other quality welding operations in the workshop - and supported by professional service people.
The welding machine manufacturer Migatronic has taken yet another jump into the global market for production and repair of the cars of the future; on 29 April GM approved the Danish manufacturer as a supplier of welding equipment for the 7,000 workshops all over the world that will be attending to the Opel cars of the future with fully galvanised body.
Migatronic has already been approved by Audi, Ferrari, Morgan, BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroen, among others.
The approval from GM makes history, says Peter Roed, Managing Director of Migatronic.
"So far, the automakers have involved us in the development of welding aluminium bodies, but now it is our know-how in soldering galvanised high-tensile steels that has been quality marked.
In their efforts to create stainless cars, the manufacturers go in both directions, and the fact that Migatronic has been preferred for both technologies it is a great satisfaction - and business challenge." At the Opel factory in Ruesselsheim, Germany, Migatronic technicians along with Opel's R and D department and after sales staff have laid down and documented the procedure for MIG soldering of Opel Vectra C with the fully galvanised body which was recently introduced in Germany.
Rumours of qualifications - Bent Jensen, Key Account Manager of Migatronic, was allowed to work on an Opel Vectra C in the final phase after having been thoroughly briefed about the design that made Opel produce the cars of the future with fully galvanised bodies, which are soldered and not welded.
In addition to securing against rust and saving protection in the cavities of the car, this procedure also gives a ductility of material that lives up to the manufacturer1s demand on reliability of the case in cases of collision.
Says Bent Jensen: "They do talk in the automotive trade, and obviously PSA Peugeot Citroen1s positive experience with the Migatronic Flex 330 welding machine was rumoured.
The assignment for PSA was for a welding machine that welds aluminium bodies, but PSA wanted to secure their future and demanded that the same machine should also be able to MIG-solder galvanised high-tensile steels.
These are the qualifications, among other, on which GM based their approval".
Special GM model - Migatronic Flex 330 is digitised and programmable and already used by many Danish companies with production in steel and aluminium.
Migatronic has developed a special GM model, so far for the Opel Vectra C.
This model is programmed for MIG soldering thin steel plates, but masters also a number of traditional welding processes.
When using welding consumables for welding, the metals will fuse.
In the soldering process, the welds are filled durably without affecting the basic material.
Therefore, the Migatronic soldering process uses a special welding wire of copper and silicium with a fusion temperature of 960 - 1000 deg C - approximately 600 deg below the temperature in traditional MIG/MAG welding.
Says Peter Roed: "It is difficult so shortly after the approval to predict what GM1s approval will mean to Migatronic, but we have high hopes.
The authorised Opel repair shops all over the world are only allowed to use soldering on the new Opel Vectra and the subsequent Opel models with a fully galvanised body, so we are expecting a great demand for welding machines that master the soldering process and have the GM approval".
(This was Manufacturingtalk's Top Story on 31 May 2002).
• Migatronic Welding Equipment: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
