Side-by-Side: Which Process Suits Which Job?
| Process |
Best suited to |
Typical local jobs |
Limitations |
| MIG/MAG |
Fast, continuous welding of thin to medium mild steel |
Cycle frames and carriers, auto brackets, machine stands |
Needs shielding gas; draughts affect outdoor work |
| ARC (MMA) |
Portable, versatile welding and repair of steel |
Die and fixture repair, forging shop maintenance, structural work |
Slower; slag to remove; hard to control on very thin tube |
| TIG |
Precise, clean welds on thin and non-ferrous metals |
Thin-wall cycle tubing, stainless parts, hosiery and sewing machine components |
Slower; needs skilled operators |
| Plasma cutting |
Fast, clean cutting of conductive metals |
Sheet, plate and profile parts for machinery |
A cutting process, not a welding one |
| Submerged arc (SAW) |
Long, heavy seams on thick plate |
Heavy frames, tanks, large machine bases |
Flat and horizontal positions only; fixed setup |
MIG Welding: The Production Workhorse
For cycle parts, carriers, stands and auto brackets made in volume, MIG is usually the fastest route. Wire feeds continuously, so welders run long beads without stopping to change electrodes, and there is no slag to chip. Short-circuit transfer with fine control handles thin tubing without burning through. The MIG 400 Pro is a good all-round production machine, and the MIG 500 Pro suits heavier sections and longer duty.
ARC (MMA) Welding: For Repairs and Heavy Joints
Forging units and machine shops constantly repair dies, fixtures, hammers and material-handling equipment. ARC welding suits this well: the machine is portable, needs no gas, and the operator can change electrode type to suit the job, from general-purpose to low-hydrogen. An industrial inverter such as the ARC 630I handles heavy repair work with large-diameter electrodes.
TIG Welding: Precision on Thin Tube and Small Parts
Where appearance and accuracy matter, TIG is the better choice. Thin-wall cycle tubing, lightweight frames, stainless fittings and small components for hosiery and sewing machines all benefit from the fine heat control TIG offers. It is slower than MIG, so most units keep it for the joints that demand it. The TIG welder series covers DC welding of steel and stainless, while the pulse TIG AC/DC series adds pulse control for very thin material and AC for aluminium.
Plasma Cutting: Better Preparation, Better Welds
Good welds start with accurately cut parts. Air plasma cuts mild steel, stainless and aluminium faster than gas on thin and medium thickness, with a narrow kerf and less heat distortion. For machinery builders cutting brackets, plates and guards, a machine from the LGK air plasma cutter series covers most needs, and CNC plasma systems suit units cutting the same profiles in volume.
Submerged Arc Welding: When the Plate Gets Thick
Many units here will never need SAW, but for those fabricating heavy machine bases, large frames or tanks it is the most productive option. The arc runs buried under flux, so there is almost no spatter or glare, penetration is deep and quality stays consistent over long seams. A submerged arc machine is normally paired with a carriage, column and boom or welding rotator.
Machine Ranges for Each Process
Here are the Paragweld ranges behind each process in the comparison:
How Ludhiana Units Usually Combine Processes
- Bicycle and cycle parts makers: MIG for production welding, TIG for thin tube and visible joints, plasma for cutting.
- Hosiery and sewing machine manufacturers: TIG for small precision parts, MIG for stands and frames, ARC for maintenance.
- Auto parts units: MIG as the main process, with plasma cutting for blanks and brackets.
- Forging units: ARC for die, tool and equipment repair, using low-hydrogen welding electrodes.
Get a Process Recommendation From Paragweld
If you are unsure which process fits a job, send us a drawing or photo of the part, the material, thickness and expected volume. The Paragweld team will suggest a process and machine, deliver it to Ludhiana and support you by phone and WhatsApp afterwards. The complete range is on our products page.
Comparing welding options for your Ludhiana unit? Call us at +91 9824099621 or email paragltd@yahoo.co.in and we will help you pick the right process and machine.
