Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance
Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance
Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance
Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance (RWMA) is an active network of industry professionals that advances resistance welding technologies, supports the highest technical standards for the industry and shares best practices amongst all its members in order to shape the future of our industry for the next generation. Promoting the technology by educating the manufacturing community in documented processes, standards and advancements are critical to keeping resistance welding at the forefront of automotive, aerospace and industrial manufacturing.
LEARN ABOUT RESISTANCE WELDING
LEARN ABOUT RESISTANCE WELDING
This webinar covers all things resistance welding, from what’s old and what’s new, to how technology’s changing to increase how fast we can weld. We’re also diving into the AWS Certified Resistance Welding Technician (CRWT) credential, and much more.
Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance
Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance
RWMA (Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance) produced an informational video on the resistance welding industry. It highlights the basics of resistance welding as a process, and its opportunities and growth potential. It is fast moving and informative, with extraordinary visuals. It also promotes resistance welding as a potential career path for students. This tool will provide tips for implementing resistance welding into a school’s curriculum, and includes information on occupation-specific competencies.
What is Resistance Welding
What is Resistance Welding
Resistance welding is the joining of metals by applying pressure and passing current for a length of time through the metal area which is to be joined. The key advantage of resistance welding is that no other materials are needed to create the bond, which makes this process extremely cost effective.
There are several different forms of resistance welding (e.g. spot and seam, projection, flash, and upset welding) which differ primarily by the types and shapes of weld electrodes that are used to apply the pressure and conduct the current. The electrodes, typically manufactured from copper based alloys due to superior conductive properties, are cooled by water flowing through cavities inside the electrode and the other conductive tooling of the resistance welding machine.
Resistance welding machines are designed and built for a wide range of automotive, aerospace and industrial applications. Through automation, the action of these machines is highly controlled and repeatable allowing manufacturers to staff production readily.
Types of Resistance Welding Applications:
Spot Welding and Seam Welding
- Resistance Spot Welding, like all Resistance Welding Processes, creates welds using heat generated by resistance to the flow of welding current between the faying surfaces, as well as force to push the workpieces together, applied over a defined period of time. Resistance Spot Welding uses the face geometries of the welding electrodes themselves to focus the welding current at the desired weld location, as well as to apply force to the workpieces. Once sufficient resistance is generated, the materials set down and combine, and a weld nugget is formed.
- Resistance Seam Welding is a subset of Resistance Spot Welding using wheel-shaped electrodes to deliver force and welding current to the parts. The difference is that the workpiece rolls between the wheel-shaped electrodes while weld current is applied. Depending on the particular weld current and weld time settings, the welds created may be overlapping, forming a complete welded seam, or may simply be individual spot welds at defined intervals.
Projection Welding
- Like other Resistance Welding Processes, Projection Welding uses heat generated by resistance to the flow of welding current, as well as force to push the workpieces together, applied over a defined period of time. Projection Welding localizes the welds at predetermined points by using projections, embossments or intersections, all of which focus heat generation at the point of contact. Once the weld current generates sufficient resistance at the point of contact, the projections collapse, forming the weld nugget.
- Solid Projections are often used when welding fasteners to parts. Embossments are often used when joining sheet or plate material. An example of Projection Welding using material Intersections is cross-wire welding. In this case the intersection of the wires themselves localizes heat generation, and therefore resistance. The wires set-down into one another, forming a weld nugget in the process.
Flash Welding
- Like other Resistance Welding Processes, Flash Welding uses heat generated by resistance to the flow of welding current, as well as force to push the workpieces together, applied over a defined period of time. Flash Welding is a Resistance Welding Process which generates resistance using flashing action. This action is created using very high current density at very small contact points between the workpieces. At a predetermined point after the flashing process has begun, force is applied to the workpiece, and they are moved together at a controlled rate. Rapid upset created by this force expels oxides and impurities from the weld.
Upset Welding
- Like other Resistance Welding Processes, Upset Welding uses heat generated by resistance to the flow of welding current, as well as force to push the workpieces together, applied over a defined period of time. While similar to Flash Welding, in Upset Welding the workpieces are already in firm contact with one another, so no flashing occurs. Pressure is applied before the current is started, and is maintained until the process is complete.
Source: C1.1M/C1.1:2012 – Recommended Practices for Resistance Welding
Why Join the RWMA
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Education & Training
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Networking
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Membership
- Resistance Welding School at FABTECH shows in North America – (upcoming information will be provided soon)
- Online learning with AWS Welding Fundamentals II course
- Resistance Welding publications for sale online through the AWS Bookstore
- Academic scholarships through AWS Foundation
- Resistance Welding community in AWS Member Network and LinkedIn
- The Impacts of Being Trained as a Certified Resistance Welding Technician - A Case Study
- Build valuable relationships within the industry the directly benefit your company
- Shape the resistance welding industry through participation on AWS Standards Development Committees
- AWS Journal offers members the opportunity to share knowledge through editorial and advertising options
- Present White Papers at AWS regional seminars and conferences
- Members receive RWMA quarterly E-Newsletter
- Membership Directory Listing of RWMA Companies' Products and Technologies
- Solidify industry relationships through participation in AWS programs, committees, conferences and networking events
- Support your employees with extra benefits and savings that enhance their technical and career growth
- Collaborate with other leaders to develop and refine best practices, procedures and processes that benefit the industry at large
- Extends discounts to attend AWS/RWMA sponsored events and additional benefits of AWS Corporate Membership
Join RWMA
Join RWMA
Join the Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance today!
Requirements for membership are yearly RWMA dues ($700) plus the annual renewal of an AWS Corporate Membership - Sustaining, Supporting, or Welding Distributor.
Each RWMA member company falls under one or more of the following categories:
- Machinery – designers and builders of standard and special resistance welding machinery,
- Components – manufacturers of components and accessories for the resistance welding processes.
- Copper Products – manufacturers and metallurgical specialists producing RWMA materials to meet the multifaceted production requirements of the metal fabricating industries.
- Sales & Marketing – organizations engaged in the distribution of resistance welding machinery and accessories.
All members shall have the same rights and privileges and their representatives shall have the right to be officers of the RWMA.
Download the RWMA Corporate Membership Application
AWS Corporate Memberships
THE EMMET A. CRAIG RESISTANCE WELDING SCHOOL
THE EMMET A. CRAIG RESISTANCE WELDING SCHOOL
The Emmet A. Craig Resistance Welding School is designed to give resistance welding professionals the opportunity to advance their knowledge in the theory, applications, and equipment used in the process. The course covers the various processes, machines, materials, electrodes, power systems, welding controls, quality standards, machine set-up, and maintenance topics associated with resistance welding. This course is an opportunity for you and your employees to augment their skills and knowledge of the process so you can improve the quality of your welds and maximize productivity.
2024 RWMA ANNUAL MEETING
2024 RWMA ANNUAL MEETING
April 16-18, 2024 | San Antonio, TX
The 2024 RWMA Annual Meeting focuses on key issues impacting resistance welding manufacturing.
Learn from expert technical presenters and interact with industry colleagues with a common goal of advancing resistance welding.
The event leads into the 2024 GAWDA Spring Management Conference, also to be held at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk, April 19-21, 2024.
One trip and travel expense, for two important industry functions.
Membership Information
Membership Information
Impacting the Resistance Welding Manufacturing Industry Through Our Members
The Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance (RWMA), an industry partner of the American Welding Society, is an active network of industry professionals dedicated to the advancement of resistance welding standards and processes. The alliance supports the industry's highest technical standards, shares best practices and prepares future generations for success. All members have the same rights and privileges and may be officers of the RWMA.
RWMA members include:
- Machinery – designers, fabricators and builders of resistance welding machinery
- Component – manufacturers of components and accessories used in the resistance welding process
- Metallurgy – resistance welding metals specialists working with fabrication and production material requirements
- Sales and Marketing – Distributors and suppliers of resistance welding machinery, components and accessories
- Education – Resistance welding instructors and OEM training representatives
As industry partners with the American Welding Society, RWMA members are required to maintain a Corporate Membership with AWS. Annual RWMA membership fees are $700 plus an annual AWS corporate membership fee. If initial applications for AWS and RWMA are being submitted simultaneously, the $750 AWS corporate initiation fee will be waived.
RWMA Newsletter
RWMA Newsletter
Keep up with the latest news, while perusing some of the recent RWMA Newsletters.
2022
1st Quarter Newsletter | 3rd Quarter Newsletter
2021
Winter Issue | Spring Issue | Summer Issue
2020
Winter Issue | Spring Issue | Summer Issue | 4th Quarter Newsletter
Contact
Contact
For information about Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance - RWMA, please contact:
Adrian Bustillo
RWMA Committee Specialist
8669 NW 36 Street, Suite 130
Miami, Florida 33166
800-443-9353, Ext. 295
Contact: Email RWMA