Ceandess
Search
Close this search box.

FAQ’s

Brazing and Soldering

Soldering is commonly used in:

  • Electronics: Soldering provides reliable, conductive joints essential for electronic circuits and components.
  • Sealed Joints: Soldering is also used for creating quick and durable sealed joints, providing an efficient solution where a strong but temporary connection is needed.

Selective soldering enhances production efficiency by:

  • Targeting Specific Areas: This process allows solder to be applied precisely where needed, reducing waste and material costs.
  • Minimising Masking Requirements: By only applying solder to specific joints, selective soldering reduces the need for masking, saving time and improving production speed.

 

Selective soldering is ideal for projects that require accuracy and efficiency, especially in high-volume production.

For most applications, lead-free solder is used, particularly for items that may come into contact with water. Lead-free solder provides a safe, strong joint while complying with environmental standards and reducing health risks.

Yes, lead-free soldering is an eco-friendly option that has become standard in many applications. Lead-free solder eliminates the environmental and health risks associated with lead, making it safer for water-related products and electronic components.

Quality and reliability in soldering are maintained through:

  • ISO 9001 Certification: This quality management system ensures consistent standards in production.
  • Trained and Experienced Staff: Skilled staff with extensive training ensure each joint meets industry standards for durability and performance.

 

These measures help guarantee strong, reliable solder joints in every project.

  • Vacuum Brazing: This method uses a conveyor oven to reduce atmospheric pressure, allowing the copper braze to flow naturally into joints through capillary action. It’s ideal for creating high-pressure seals.
  • Traditional Brazing: Traditional brazing applies the filler metal to the surface, creating a strong, tensile joint that provides a secure air and fluid seal.

 

Vacuum brazing is best suited for high-pressure applications, while traditional brazing offers strong bonds for a range of other uses.

Vacuum brazing enhances joint quality by using capillary action to draw the filler metal into joints, creating a smooth, consistent bond. This results in high-strength, leak-proof seals ideal for critical applications.

Industries that benefit from vacuum brazing include:

  • Automotive: Commonly used in brake lines and other high-pressure components.
  • Fluid and Air Line Manufacturing: Any industry needing secure, high-pressure seals on fluid or air lines.

 

These industries rely on vacuum brazing for its strength, durability, and ability to create precise, reliable joints.

Yes, one of the key benefits of vacuum brazing is its ability to join dissimilar materials effectively. This flexibility allows for reliable joints between different metals, providing versatility in complex assemblies.

Vacuum brazing is generally cost-effective for high-volume production due to:

  • Lower Setup Costs: Unlike traditional brazing, it doesn’t require complex jigs to hold components.
  • High Efficiency for Large Volumes: The conveyor oven process is well-suited to high-volume production, keeping costs manageable.

 

This makes vacuum brazing an economical choice for industries that require large quantities of brazed components with consistent quality.

Laser Cutting

For most projects, our laser cutting services have an average lead time of 48 hours. Lead times can vary depending on the complexity and volume of the order, but we aim to provide fast turnaround times to meet our customers’ needs.

Our laser cutting process is highly efficient for large-volume orders, thanks to:

  • CAD Nesting: Using CAD drawings, we can nest parts closely together on a sheet, minimising waste and maximising material use.
  • Efficient Production: This approach not only saves material but also reduces cutting time, making large orders quicker to produce and more cost-effective.

 

Our advanced CAD technology helps ensure optimal efficiency, particularly for high-volume projects.

Laser cutting is compatible with a range of materials, including:

  • Mild Steel
  • Stainless Steel
  • Aluminium
  • Brass
  • Copper

 

These materials are commonly chosen for their versatility and suitability for laser cutting’s precision and efficiency.

Yes, laser cutting offers several environmental advantages:

  • Waste Reduction: CAD nesting allows us to reduce waste by maximising the use of each sheet of material.
  • No Tooling Required: Unlike traditional methods, laser cutting doesn’t require blanking tools, which reduces material and energy use.
  • Suitability for Low-Volume and One-Off Products: Laser cutting can easily produce low-volume or one-off products, which reduces the need for excess material stock and waste.

 

These features make laser cutting a more sustainable choice for both large and small projects.

While the initial investment in laser cutting machines is higher, the process offers significant cost savings over time:

  • Lower Production Costs: The removal of tooling and blanking parts dramatically reduces production costs for individual components.
  • Speed and Precision: Laser cutting is much faster than traditional methods and can produce complex geometries with high accuracy, making it ideal for intricate designs.

 

Overall, laser cutting is a quicker and more cost-effective option for producing parts with precision and minimal waste, offering a long-term cost advantage.

MIG Welding

  • MIG Welding: MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding is commonly used for faster, heavy-duty welding tasks, especially on mild steel. It’s a good choice for projects where speed and strength are essential, but fine detailing is less critical.
  • TIG Welding: TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding is more precise and is ideal for creating clean, detailed welds. TIG is often preferred for stainless steel and aluminium, where a neater, more refined finish is required.

 

MIG is ideal for mild steel and larger projects, while TIG is suited for finer work on stainless steel and aluminium.

When selecting a MIG welder, consider the following:

  • ISO 9001 Certification: Choose a company with ISO 9001 certification, which demonstrates that they adhere to recognised quality management standards, ensuring good welding techniques and high-quality production.
  • Experience and Past Work: Look for a company with proven experience and a strong portfolio of previous work. This demonstrates their skill level, reliability, and understanding of various MIG welding applications.

 

Together, these factors help ensure you receive a high-quality welding service that meets industry standards.

MIG welding offers several advantages, particularly for heavier materials:

  • Speed and Efficiency: MIG welding is generally faster than other methods, making it ideal for larger projects.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: It’s often a more economical choice, especially for heavy-gauge materials, as it requires less time and provides a strong weld.
  • Strength on Heavy-Gauge Materials: MIG welds are strong and durable, making them suitable for tasks involving thicker materials where strength is essential.

 

These benefits make MIG welding a popular choice in industrial and structural applications.

Yes, MIG welding can be used for aluminium and stainless steel, though aluminium requires particular techniques and equipment. For example, aluminium’s softness and high thermal conductivity make it more challenging to weld, often requiring a spool gun or a push-pull system to ensure smooth feeding of the wire.

At Ceandess, we specialise in welding mild and stainless steel and do not typically work with aluminium, hgowever, if you would like to dicuss the possibilities then do not hesitate to contact us.

 

When using a MIG welder, following these safety precautions is essential:

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always wear MIG welding gloves, a welder’s mask, flame-retardant clothing, and sturdy footwear.
  • Positive Earth Clamp: Ensure a positive earth clamp is connected to the parent material for a stable weld.
  • Proper Ventilation: Use Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) and make sure the area is well-ventilated. A respirator mask is recommended to protect against fumes.
  • Training and Health & Safety Knowledge: Make sure you have proper training in MIG welding and an understanding of overall health and safety standards to reduce the risk of injury.

 

These precautions help protect against burns, fumes, and electrical hazards while ensuring safe working conditions.

Powder Coating

Powder coating offers several advantages over traditional painting methods:

  • Higher Quality Control: As an automated process, powder coating provides consistent quality across a large volume of components.
  • Cleaner Production: Powder coating uses dry powders, resulting in a cleaner application method with minimal waste.
  • Faster Application and Curing: Powder coating can be applied quickly and cures in approximately 10 to 20 minutes, compared to several hours required for traditional paints.

 

These benefits make powder coating an efficient and reliable choice for high-volume projects.

From start to finish, powder coating usually takes around 1.5 hours. This includes washing the component, applying the powder, and curing the part, making it ready for dispatch within a relatively short time frame.

Yes, powder coating is versatile and can be applied to a wide range of metals. We commonly work with:

  • Mild Steel
  • Stainless Steel
  • Aluminium

 

This versatility makes powder coating suitable for a variety of applications across different industries.

Powder coating offers several environmental advantages:

  • Effluent Filtration: Our wash system filters effluent before it enters the drains, ensuring that the water leaving the facility is cleaner than typical car park runoff.
  • Anti-Microbial Options: For applications in healthcare, we can use anti-microbial powder coatings, such as for radiators, which helps prevent the spread of bacteria.

These features make powder coating an environmentally friendly option that supports sustainable manufacturing.

How does the cost of powder coating compare to other finishing techniques?

Powder coating is generally more cost-effective than traditional finishing methods due to:

  • Lower Material Costs: Powder paints tend to be cheaper than liquid paints.
  • Efficiency: The automated process is faster and uses less labour, further reducing costs.

 

These factors make powder coating an affordable choice, especially for high-volume production.

We provide powder coating services across a range of sectors, including:

  • Automotive
  • Furniture
  • Safety Rails and Fencing
  • Cabinetry
  • Healthcare

 

This wide service range reflects the adaptability and durability of powder coating for various applications.

Spot Welding

Spot welding is effective for several materials, including:

  • Mild Steel
  • Stainless Steel
  • Wire Mesh

 

These materials are commonly used in spot welding due to their ability to form strong bonds through the quick, high-heat application of the spot welding process.

Spot welding differs from MIG and TIG welding in both method and application:

  • Assembly: Spot welding is often used to assemble components to precise dimensions before further processing, such as furnace brazing.
  • Automation: Spot welding is typically more automated, making it ideal for high-volume tasks. Components are placed in a jig or clamping system, and the machine automatically completes the welds.
  • Robotic Integration: Spot welding often uses robotic arms to apply the weld, enhancing consistency and speed, which contrasts with the manual control often seen in MIG and TIG welding.

 

This makes spot welding particularly useful for fast, consistent results in assembly-line production.

Spot welding is widely used across various industries, especially those that require durable, consistent welds in high volumes, including:

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Shipping and Marine
  • Furnace Brazing

 

These industries benefit from spot welding’s efficiency, particularly for assembling multiple components rapidly and precisely.

Spot welding does raise some environmental considerations:

  • High Energy Consumption: The process uses significant electrical energy to create the necessary heat for welding.
  • Fume Emissions: Although relatively minimal, spot welding generates some fumes that require Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems to minimise exposure.
  • Coolant Use: Spot welding machines often require a coolant system, which can involve refrigeration gases. It’s essential to monitor and manage these gases to reduce environmental impact.

 

With proper equipment and ventilation, these concerns can be managed effectively in a responsible welding operation.

Ceandess maintains high quality standards in spot welding through several practices:

  • ISO 9001 Certification: Adherence to ISO 9001 demonstrates our commitment to a rigorous quality management system.
  • Destructive Testing: Components are tested to the point of destruction to ensure the welds can withstand stress and meet durability requirements.
  • Microscopic Examination: After cutting a weld, it is examined under a microscope to check for integrity and consistency.
  • Non-Destructive Testing: We also use non-destructive testing, such as fluid testing, to identify any flaws without damaging the component.

 

These methods ensure that each weld meets industry standards and provides the durability and reliability expected in high-quality welding.

TIG Welding

TIG welding specialists focus on several key techniques to achieve precision:

  • Correct Filler Rod: Choosing the right filler rod for each weld type is essential for strength and quality.
  • Positive Shielding Gas Pressure: A stable flow of shielding gas (like argon) protects the weld from contamination.
  • Steady Hand and Attention to Detail: TIG welding requires a steady hand and an eye for detail, allowing specialists to create precise, clean welds without splatter or uneven lines.

 

Together, these elements enable TIG welders to produce high-quality, detailed work.

TIG welding is ideal for projects requiring precision and a clean finish. Due to its high level of control, TIG welding is often used in applications where a neat, strong weld is essential, such as in the automotive and aerospace industries.

TIG welding allows for flexibility when working with various metal alloys, but it requires the correct settings and techniques:

  • Settings Adjustments: Each metal requires specific settings for optimal results. For instance, the torch angle is typically set at 70-80 degrees, and the tungsten tip should be kept about 1/16 to 1/8 inch from the workpiece.
  • Polarity Selection: TIG welding can use either AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current) depending on the material, with AC often used for aluminium and DC for stainless steel.
  • Welding Gas Flow: Maintaining the right shielding gas flow is essential to protect the weld and ensure quality.

 

By adjusting these settings, TIG welding can be adapted to achieve high-quality results across a range of metal alloys.

Some common challenges include:

  • Maintaining the Tungsten Tip: Keeping the tungsten tip from touching or fouling the job is crucial. If it touches the workpiece, it can stick, which may interrupt the weld and require regrinding.
  • Choosing the Right Settings: Selecting the correct settings for each job, such as angle, current, and gas flow, can be challenging and requires skill and experience.

 

These challenges highlight the skill required in TIG welding and the importance of attention to detail.

Ceandess has over 50 years of experience in TIG welding, with expertise in fabricating components for industries such as automotive. We supply high-quality TIG-welded fabrications, including turbocharger components and engine brackets, ensuring precision and reliability in every project.

Vibbro-De-Burr

Vibro-deburring offers several advantages:

  • Automation: As a more automated process, vibro-deburring allows for greater efficiency in handling multiple components simultaneously.
  • Higher Throughput: Large volumes of parts can be processed faster, making it ideal for high-volume production needs.
  • Refined Finish: Vibro-deburring delivers a smooth, refined finish, often with higher consistency and quality than manual methods.

 

These benefits make vibro-deburring a time-saving and reliable choice for improving component quality.

 

Vibro-deburring removes sharp edges and burrs, which helps to:

  • Prevent Damage: By removing burrs, it reduces the risk of these rough edges breaking off and contaminating working parts of an assembly.
  • Increase Durability: Smoother, deburred surfaces are less prone to wear and friction, extending the lifespan of each component in the assembly.

 

This makes vibro-deburring essential for maintaining component integrity and reducing potential damage in mechanical assemblies.

Vibro-deburring is highly effective on any metal, making it a versatile option across various materials. This flexibility allows it to be used on both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including steel, aluminium, brass, and copper.

Vibro-deburring is generally more cost-effective because:

  • Longevity of Abrasive Media: Hard ceramic media used in vibro-deburring lasts longer than traditional linishing belts, reducing replacement costs.
  • Automation: The automated nature of vibro-deburring lowers labour costs, making it a more economical choice for large batches.

 

Overall, vibro-deburring provides a more efficient and affordable solution for high-quality deburring.

Vibro-deburring is suitable for any industry that manufactures small to medium-sized products, especially where smooth, burr-free finishes are essential. It’s widely used in:

  • Automotive Manufacturing
  • Aerospace
  • Electronics
  • Precision Engineering

 

These industries benefit from vibro-deburring’s ability to produce consistent, high-quality finishes across multiple small components.

Welding Fabrication

MIG Welding:
MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding is one of the most commonly used techniques in fabrication due to its efficiency and versatility. It involves using a wire electrode that melts to join metals, while a shielding gas is fed through the welding gun to protect the weld from contaminants in the air. MIG welding is ideal for handling a variety of metals quickly and is often used for mild steel or stainless steel.

TIG Gas Welding, Brazing, and Soldering:
TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding provides precision and control, making it perfect for high-quality, intricate welds. TIG welding uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode, allowing the operator to control the filler rod manually, which helps achieve precise results. This method is especially effective on thinner materials and is suitable for both stainless steel and mild steel. TIG can also be used for brazing and soldering, where a filler metal bonds parts without melting the base metal, giving a clean and controlled finish valuable for delicate projects.

Material Compatibility:
At Ceandess, our fabrication process specialises in welding mild steel and stainless steel, as these materials are widely used due to their strength and durability.

Fabrication Safety:

  • Fabrication primarily involves folding and assembling metals.
  • Safety in fabrication includes careful handling of tools and materials, with attention to potential pinch points and sharp edges.
  • Operators may use gloves and safety glasses, but fewer heat-related protections are generally needed compared to welding.

 

Welding Safety:

  • Welding is a process involving high heat and electricity, which requires specific protective equipment (PPE) for safety.
  • Essential PPE includes:
    • Welding masks to protect the eyes and face from sparks and intense light.
    • Heat-resistant gloves to protect hands from hot metals and sparks.
    • Flame-retardant chaps and boots for protection against sparks and molten metal.
    • Flame-retardant clothing to shield the entire body from burns and heat exposure.

 

Press Safety and Operator Responsibility:

  • Operators working with presses must follow a specific “sign-on” procedure.
  • Signing on confirms that the operator understands all relevant training, health and safety procedures, PPE requirements, and quality standards for the job.
  • Press Brake: The press brake is crucial for bending sheet metal accurately and is one of the core machines in any fabrication workshop.
  • V Tooling and V Bending: These tools allow for bending metal at different angles and depths, helping to create specific shapes and edges required in various applications.
  • Radius Bending Tools: These tools are essential for creating rounded bends in metal, enabling smooth, precise curves and a broader range of shaping options for different projects.

 

Each of these tools brings versatility and precision, enabling fabricators to create custom shapes and meet exacting specifications.

Yes, it is technically possible to fabricate a product without welding by using techniques like joint cuts to slot pieces together. However, Ceandess opts to weld everything. Welding ensures strong, durable bonds, which provide greater reliability and longevity for our products.

  • Welding: Welding is a highly skilled job requiring precision and specialised techniques. It’s often considered an art form, particularly in processes like brazing, where achieving clean, precise joins requires both experience and attention to detail. Certified welders undergo rigorous exams (such as coded welding exams) to demonstrate their competency.

  • Fabrication: Fabrication requires a broader understanding of metal shaping and assembly processes, often involving various tools and techniques like cutting, bending, and forming. Fabricators need a strong understanding of design requirements and technical skills to prepare materials for welding or other assembly methods.

Welding and fabrication each demand unique skills, and combining both allows for high-quality, durable, and intricately designed products.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about our products and services please get in touch.


Get in touch

Ceandess

Follow us

Facebook-f X-twitter Linkedin-in
© Ceandess Wolverhampton Ltd. 2024
Select your currency
GBP Pound sterling
USD United States (US) dollar
EUR Euro