Frequently Asked Questions
Welding
Our welding capabilities include spot welding (a great option for permanent assembly) and seam welding using Cold Metal Transfer (CMT).
What is seam welding?In seam welding, the two pieces are clamped securely and welded, and then any excess metal is removed by grinding. The end result is a continuously joined seam, which is useful for weatherproofing, reducing EMI leakage, and for achieving a seamless look and feel when desired. Seam welding uses Cold Metal Transfer (CMT), which generates only one-tenth of the heat of MIG welding, so warping and meltback are all but eliminated. Learn more about seam welding.
What is spot welding?Spot welding is a fast and efficient method for permanently joining two pieces of sheet metal in one or more spots. Available on cold rolled steel, galvanneal and stainless steel, spot welding is often used as an alternative to threaded fasteners, as there is little trace of the joint. A minimum flange overlap of 0.5" is required for spot welding. When including spot welding on your design, please specify if you'd like the excess metal on the spot welding to be grinded down. For more information, including dimensional restrictions to consider, please review our spot welding page.
What materials can be welded?We can weld Cold Rolled Steel, Galvanneal, Stainless Steel, Aluminum and Copper. (Note: copper is usually brazed).
Does Protocase's 2-3 day turnaround promise still stand when parts need to be welded?Yes, both spot welding and seam welding are standard processes that make up our 2-3 day manufacturing lead time. For more information, contact us.