TIG Welding

TIG welding is a type of sanitary welding technique used in creating sanitary stainless steel welds for use in food, pharmaceutical, medical, and other industries. TIG stands for Tungsten Inert Gas Welding, it is an arc welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld.  The Inert Gas, usually argon, shields the weld from oxidation or other atmospheric contaminations.   Any business that involves manufacturing or processing goods under strict hygienic conditions will require sanitary welding and TIG is one such method.

Orbital Welding

Orbital welding is an automated process that was initially developed to improve welding techniques in the aerospace industry. Its value lies in its welding process, which involves rotating the welding arc at a 360 degrees angle around the connected clamped tubes and pipes. The parameters for orbital welding can be pre-set and controlled using a microprocessor and console that can store and recall settings as needed.

Orbital welding is popular for situations where the stainless steel fabrication process cannot be handled manually, large quantities of welds are required, or additional hygiene precautions are needed.

Uses of TIG and Orbital Welding

While stainless steel fabrication serves many industries, the hygienic qualities of TIG and orbital welding make it particularly important to the food, pharmaceutical, and medical industries. Here’s why:

Food and Beverage Industry

Because the food and beverage industry involves manufacturing, preparing, and packaging food and drink, it’s crucial that the equipment it uses can be cleaned and sanitized quickly and easily. With TIG and orbital welds, contamination becomes far less likely than if an alternative, harsher material is used. In addition, keeping food-grade equipment pure keeps the end-product consumer safer, and the manufacturer is seen as more reliable and trustworthy.

Examples of food and beverage industry equipment that uses stainless steel and sanitary and orbital welding include tanks, vats, piping, mixing parts, and other kitchen equipment.

Pharmaceutical Industry

Like the food industry, the pharmaceutical sector must prioritize the cleanliness of its equipment. Drugs polluted by the equipment used to create them transform into a significant health risk to patients. As a result, tubes and pipes used to transfer chemicals are a frequent type of sanitary weld in the pharmaceutical business.

Other Industries

Sanitary welding is used in other manufacturing industries that require high purity standards such as:

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Battery
• Cannabis
• Energy
• Metal
• Pet food
• Petroleum, Chemicals, and Plastics
• Clothing, textiles, wood, leather, and paper

To learn more about the benefits of sanitary and orbital welding for your projects, contact Wayne Brothers today to talk to one of their industry experts to get you started.