TIG welding
Gives the cleanest, most precise weld with the least heat distortion, making it the standard choice for thin-gauge sheet metal, visible weld seams and stainless or aluminum enclosures where appearance matters. It is slower and more operator-dependent than MIG, which raises cost on high-volume runs.
MIG welding
Faster and more forgiving than TIG, suited to thicker material, structural brackets and frames, and higher-volume production where weld appearance is secondary to speed and strength. Heat input is higher, so thin sheet is more prone to warping or burn-through than with TIG.
Spot welding
Fast, low-cost joining for overlapping sheet metal layers, common on enclosures and panels with multiple tack points instead of a continuous seam. It needs access to both sides of the joint and does not suit every joint geometry or material combination.
Choosing by material and joint
Thin-gauge stainless or aluminum enclosures with visible seams usually call for TIG. Structural steel brackets and frames usually call for MIG. Panels needing many fast tack points with two-sided access are strong spot-welding candidates. Mixed assemblies often use more than one process across the same part.
| Input | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Material thickness | Thin sheet favors TIG for lower heat distortion; thicker structural material favors MIG. |
| Weld appearance | Visible seams on enclosures usually justify TIG’s cleaner finish over MIG. |
| Production volume | MIG and spot welding are faster and more cost-effective at higher volumes than TIG. |
| Joint access | Spot welding needs two-sided access; TIG and MIG suit joints that only allow one-sided access. |
| Post-weld finishing | Stainless welds need passivation regardless of process to restore corrosion resistance at the weld zone. |
Next step
Use the guide to prepare a cleaner inquiry, then attach the best available files through the RFQ form. If an item is unknown, say so directly so the first reply can separate quote assumptions from confirmed requirements.