TECH TIP: Programming The Crater Fill Function For Welding Aluminium On SP Series MIG Welders

Programming The Crater Fill Function For Welding Aluminium On SP Series MIG Welders

In order to keep up with growing demand for Aluminum repair in today’s collision repair industry, it is important to understand the differences between welding Aluminum and Steel panels. One of the noticeable differences between them is the crater that forms when the Aluminium weld bead is completed. This is due to the heat created at the end of the weld puddle and can cause a weak spot.

There are a couple techniques we can use to avoid craters at the end of the weld:

As soon as the weld bead is stopped, pause for a second letting the weld cool, then re-strike the arc to fill in the crater.
Speed up at the end of the weld, then move back onto weld to fill in crater.
Program the Crater Fill Function on the SP welder. This is the best way to achieve optimum results.

NOTE: SP-1, SP-2, SP-5, REQUIRE TRIGGER TO BE IN 4T MODE, THE SP-5.3, AND THE SP-5 DP DO NOT REQUIRE 4T MODE BUT DO REQUIRE "CYCLE" TO BE ON "FULL"