UPDATE: Is A Spot Welder A Required Tool?
On today's vehicles, you are going to run into high-strength steel (HSS) and ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS) which will affect the attachment method that will be required when replacing body panels.
Most vehicle makers prefer the use of squeeze-type resistant spot welding (STRSW) for panel attachment due to the use of HSS & UHSS. The number of OEMs that allow conventional GMA welding on advanced vehicle structures will continue to decrease for many panel attachment applications. However, GMA welding will most likely continue to be used for sectioning, where allowed.
If the OEM requires/recommends the use of spot welds, a spot welder will be a necessary piece of equipment for the collision repair facility. To learn more about OEM-specific spot welding recommendations, please reference the Steel Spot And Plug Weld Nugget Size: UPDATE article.
Follow OEM welding requirements, including what attachment method is required, to help ensure a complete, safe, and quality repair.
Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:
It's Called GMA Welding
Selecting The Correct Welding Equipment: Spot Welders
Welding And MIG Brazing Hotspot
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