Closed vs Open Weld Heads

What Are Weld Heads?

A weld head is a tool that is used in the process of orbital welding to create consistent high-quality welds. It is an essential component of the orbital welding system and is responsible for holding the tungsten electrode, securing the workpiece during the weld, and delivering the generated arc. If the power supply is the brain of an orbital welding machine, the weld head is the arms and legs.

The most common orbital weld heads are open and closed weld head. In this article, we will go over how both work and the best applications for each.

Closed Heads

An enclosed orbital weld head is a type of weld head that is designed to provide a more controlled environment for the weld zone. This type of weld head typically has a metal shield or cover that surrounds the weld zone, which helps to prevent contamination from the surrounding environment. The weld head pumps in welding gas to shield the weld from O2. This can be especially useful for welding smaller pipes or tubes or for preventing contamination in critical applications such as pharmaceutical or food production.

The enclosed weld head also prevents the entry of dust, debris or other materials that can cause contamination to the weld zone, which can help to improve the quality and consistency of the welds. Many industries like pharmaceuticals, dairy, and high purity engineering have strict rules when it comes to the quality of welds and a closed weld heads help meet those requirements.

In summary, an enclosed orbital weld head is a type of weld head that is designed to provide a more controlled environment for the weld area. It is critical part for orbital welding that can make or break a welds quality.

Open Heads

An open orbital weld head is a type of weld head that is designed to allow easy access to the weld zone. This type of weld head typically does not have a metal shield or cover surrounding the weld zone, which allows for easy access to the weld zone and greater visibility of the welding process.

This type of weld head can be useful for welding larger pipes or tubes, as the open design allows for greater maneuverability of the welding head and better access to the weld zone. Additionally, it may be easier to set up and configure the welding parameters as the open design provides better access to the welding head and its components.

An open orbital weld head is also a good option when welding thicker materials, as it can provide better cooling to the weld zone, which can help to prevent overheating and improve the quality and consistency of the welds.

In summary, an orbital welding head is a device that is used in the process of orbital welding, it's an essential component of the orbital welding system, it holds the tungsten electrode and rotates it around the circumference of the pipe or tubing being welded. The open orbital welding head is designed to allow easy access to the weld zone and the closed orbital welding head is designed to provide a more enclosed environment for the weld zone. The orbital welding head also typically includes other features such as a wire feeder and a gas flow control system, which are used to supply the filler metal and the shielding gas needed for the welding process. It's crucial to choose the right type of orbital welding head based on the specific requirements of the job, and the material being welded.