Knowledgeable designers recognize such cost-saving and quality-improvement methods and specify them in the manufacturing process. The consistency attainable with such methods surpasses that of sophisticated jigs and fixtures but the greatest value is the cost efficiency. Additionally, these techniques can be used for fillet welding applications, and mechanical assemblies. A refinement of resistance spot welding is resistance projection welding (RPW). It makes use of projections previously formed on the workpiece to reduce the power required to make a resistance weld. Consequently, multiple welds can be made more easily at the same time, and thicker sections can be joined more readily than in RSW. Other advantages include reduced shunting effects, closer weld-to-weld spacing and welding of workpieces with smaller flanges.
Start off by drilling 7.5mm holes in the front sheet of metal at a spacing of normally 25mm to 40mm (or whatever the original spot weld spacing was). Then clamp this sheet onto the back sheet. 7.5mm is a reasonably good hole size for 0.8 or 1.0mm sheet. Thicker sheet might require a slightly larger hole size. Try a little test piece out like this one before welding a whole sill onto a car and check the weld has penetrated through both sheets.
The welding heat is generated by the electric current, which is transferred to the workpiece through copper alloy electrodes. Copper is used for the electrodes as it has a high thermal conductivity and low electrical resistance compared to most other metals, ensuring that the heat is generated preferentially in the work pieces rather than the electrodes. The amount of heat depends on the thermal conductivity and electrical resistance of the metal as well as the amount of time the current is applied. Other materials commonly spot welded include stainless steels (in particular austenitic and ferritic grades), nickel alloys and titanium. See extra info on Tecna Spot Welder.
Stationary spot welders are mounted on a column with a jack and mobile arms. The frame is heavy and bulky and the machine has a welding capacity of 0.5–10mm. The body of the machine often equipped with a 380V generator and two arms with a mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic jack to adjust operating height, as well as heat-resistant electrodes made of copper or copper-chromium alloy. No electric arc is produced, and the arms are water-cooled in closed circuit. The arms and electrodes are interchangeable to vary spot size and form across different types of weld.