fordtech1 Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 (edited) http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/general-motors/2016/05/18/gm-says-first-weld-steel-aluminum/84558702/ Edited May 20, 2016 by fordtech1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 I wonder how they are controlling galvanic corrosion with joining the two dissimilar metals. I used to work on Bradley's that had steel armor over aluminum and they had serious rust staining coming from the bolts that attached the steel armor to the aluminum hull sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pioneer Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 GM says its also is the first automaker to spot-weld aluminum to aluminum, a process it started using in 2008 on a vehicle liftgate. That is a lie. Not saying Ford was the first, but the all-aluminum hood of the 2004-2008 F-150 were spot welded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordtech1 Posted May 22, 2016 Author Share Posted May 22, 2016 That is a lie. Not saying Ford was the first, but the all-aluminum hood of the 2004-2008 F-150 were spot welded. I remember you saying that a while back. That's why when I saw this I posted it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 GM is figured out a way to spot weld ALUMINUM to STEEL. I believe the F-150 hoods were all aluminum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 GM is figured out a way to spot weld ALUMINUM to STEEL. I believe the F-150 hoods were all aluminum. Retread what he quoted... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Hatter Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 GM is figured out a way to spot weld ALUMINUM to STEEL. I believe the F-150 hoods were all aluminum GM says it’s also is the first automaker to spot-weld aluminum to aluminum, a process it started using in 2008 on a vehicle liftgate. That process now is a mainstream solution it uses in nine assembly plants and on many more vehicles. The technology allows GM to avoid riveting aluminum, saves weight and has a cost savings of $5 to $100 per vehicle, depending on the number of rivets used. I don't think Pioneer is disputing the steel-aluminum welding claim, just the aluminum spot-welding claim he quoted from the article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pioneer Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 I don't think Pioneer is disputing the steel-aluminum welding claim, just the aluminum spot-welding claim he quoted from the article. Yep. They were AC weld controllers. Hated them with a passion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 I don't think Pioneer is disputing the steel-aluminum welding claim, just the aluminum spot-welding claim he quoted from the article. O.K., I get it. I wonder if those aluminum hoods and decklids that Dodge had on some Darts back in '75 were spot-welded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 They were AC weld controllers. Hated them with a passion. ? What's an AC weld controller? And why did you hate it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 ? What's an AC weld controller? And why did you hate it? I'm assuming it's a Alternating Current (AC) vs Direct Current (DC) weld controller. My electrical theory is really rusty, but I think a DC weld controller can put out more AMPs then an AC one would? Or I can be completely wrong about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pioneer Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 ? What's an AC weld controller? And why did you hate it? The weld process used an AC current instead of DC. Was more finicky about oil on the parts from the stamping process and weld tip presentation to get a good weld. Also threw a lot more sparks. Nothing like watching a line run and getting a face full of sparks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pioneer Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 I'm assuming it's a Alternating Current (AC) vs Direct Current (DC) weld controller. My electrical theory is really rusty, but I think a DC weld controller can put out more AMPs then an AC one would? Or I can be completely wrong about that. Amperage wasn't the problem. Just a bit more labor intensive to get a good part out the back of the line. AC, in my experience, left more burrs, needed more tip changes throughout the shift and required a bit more maintenence on the equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 (edited) Most likely because of the lower resistance with Aluminum, higher currents are required to heat the spot and begin welding. Any impurities on the surface would cause burning and arcing oc the electrodes as well as messy weld appearance. Edited May 25, 2016 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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