In an industrial context, welding refers to a fabrication process that joins materials such as metals and thermoplastics, by causing coalescence. This is typically done by melting the work pieces and adding a filler material such as a welding rod, to form a pool of molten material that cools to become a strong joint. Various processes and energy sources are used for welding such as a gas flame, electric arc, laser, electric beam, friction, and ultra sound. All these methods involve the use of various unique equipments, specific to each process.

A basic welding process requires certain common equipments. These include the power supply, electrodes, welding rods and arcs, and shielding gas. The process of automated welding employs the use of robots.

A welding power supply is equipment that supplies an electrical current to perform the welding operation and often uses a high current, usually over 80 amps. The current can be as high as 12000 amps, which is required for spot welding. Power supply equipment includes a transformer, generator, and alternator and inverter. Generator and alternator stylized machines convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. The latest technology in this category use internal combustion engines, where as the conventional machines often use an electric motor to drive the alternator or the generator. However, the inverter-based machines are entirely controlled by software and implement features such as pulsing the welding current, variable ratio and automatic spot welding. However, a transformer based welding structure is often expensive but can assist in a variety of applications.

Electrodes or filler materials are one of the most vital components in welding as they facilitate the intended joint. However, depending on the process, the electrode is either consumable, in case of gas metal artwork, or non-consumable as in case of tungsten arc welding. Filler materials are also available in different materials such as magnesium and tungsten.

The shielding gas is used mainly in gas metal arc work to protect the weld area from atmospheric gases. Robots have become crucial equipment in modern welding process as it facilitates automated welding, thus increasing the efficiency and enhancing various welding processes.

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