Push-pull guns are designed to improve the feeding of soft or small-diameter wires, such as aluminum, in MIG welding. They consist of two main components: a push motor in the welder and a pull motor in the gun.
The push motor, located in the welder, feeds the wire through the liner towards the gun. The pull motor, located in the gun itself, assists by pulling the wire through the liner. This dual-motor system reduces the risk of wire tangling, kinking, or bird-nesting, which are common issues when feeding softer wires.
When the welder triggers the gun, both motors synchronize to maintain consistent wire speed and tension. This coordination ensures a smooth and stable arc, which is crucial for producing high-quality welds. The push-pull system allows for longer cable lengths without compromising wire feed reliability, making it ideal for large-scale or complex welding tasks.
The gun's design also includes a contact tip where the wire exits and the arc forms. The wire is electrically charged as it passes through the contact tip, creating an arc between the wire and the workpiece. This arc melts the wire and the base material, forming a weld pool. As the welder moves the gun along the joint, the molten pool solidifies, creating a strong weld.
Overall, push-pull guns enhance the MIG welding process by ensuring consistent wire feed, reducing downtime due to feed issues, and enabling the use of challenging wire types, ultimately leading to improved weld quality and efficiency.