How to store welding machines that are not used for a long time to avoid damage?
Welding machines are core equipment in industrial production and maintenance. Improper storage during long-term idle periods can easily lead to problems such as aging of internal components, corrosion of metal parts, and decreased insulation performance. This not only shortens the equipment's lifespan but may also cause frequent malfunctions upon restarting, and even pose safety hazards. Mastering scientific storage methods is key to ensuring the stability of the welding machine during idle periods and extending its service life.
I. Before Storage: Thorough Cleaning and Pre-treatment
Thorough treatment before long-term storage can reduce the risk of subsequent damage from the source and prepare the equipment for "dormant" operation. First, disconnect the welding machine from the power supply, unplug the power cord and tidy it up to avoid cable compression or tangling, which could cause internal copper wire breakage or insulation damage. For models with welding wire reels and welding rods, remove any remaining consumables promptly. Place welding rods in a sealed container to prevent moisture and clumping, and treat welding wire with rust prevention before storing it separately to prevent consumable deterioration from affecting subsequent equipment use.
Cleaning is also indispensable. Wipe the machine surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove oil, dust, and splattered welding slag. Do not use water or corrosive cleaners to avoid damaging the casing and internal components. For dust accumulation in hard-to-reach areas such as ventilation holes and crevices, gently blow with compressed air to ensure unobstructed heat dissipation. If the equipment is equipped with a cooling fan, check the fan blades for obstructions and ensure smooth rotation. Furthermore, disassemble and clean residual welding slag from components such as the welding torch nozzle and contact tip, apply a small amount of anti-rust oil, and reassemble. The cable should be coiled into a circle with a diameter of at least 30 cm for storage to avoid excessive bending.
II. Choosing the Right Environment: Creating a Safe and Stable Storage Space
The quality of the storage environment directly determines the idle status of the welding machine. The core requirements are dryness, ventilation, protection from light, and constant temperature. Moisture is the number one enemy of welding machines, causing internal circuit boards to become damp, metal parts to rust, and even condensation to damage electronic components. Therefore, storage locations should be far from basements, bathrooms, and other high-humidity areas. Prioritize well-ventilated indoor spaces, and if necessary, use dehumidifiers or dehumidifiers to keep the ambient humidity below 60%.
Simultaneously, the storage area should be kept away from high-temperature sources (such as heaters and stoves) and open flames. Sustained high temperatures accelerate the aging of plastic parts and the deterioration of insulation materials, while open flames pose a significant safety hazard. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent aging and cracking of the casing and internal components due to ultraviolet radiation. Keep the environment clean to reduce dust accumulation; use a dedicated dust cover to cover the equipment to prevent dust from entering and clogging ventilation holes or corroding circuit boards. Furthermore, the storage location should be flat and firm, avoiding slopes and areas prone to vibration. Maintain a safe distance between the equipment and walls or other objects to prevent collision damage.
III. During Storage: Regular Maintenance and Status Monitoring
Long-term inactivity does not mean simply leaving it unattended. Regular inspections and maintenance can promptly identify and resolve potential problems. It is recommended to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the welding machine every three months: check for rust on the machine body, cracks or hardening of the cable sheath, and briefly rotate switches, knobs, and other moving parts to prevent jamming or malfunction. If possible, open the machine casing while the power is off to check for moisture and dust accumulation on the internal circuit boards. Gently clean the dust with a soft brush to ensure that components are not loose, bulging, or otherwise abnormal.
For welding machines stored for more than six months, periodic power-on operation is necessary. Each operation should last at least 30 minutes to activate the internal electrolytic capacitors, preventing electrolyte evaporation and performance degradation, and to dissipate moisture to prevent insulation aging. Furthermore, storage records should be kept, detailing the storage time, inspection results, and maintenance procedures to facilitate subsequent equipment status tracking and ensure quick understanding of the equipment's condition upon restarting.
IV. Special Components: Targeted Protection Points
Special components of different types of welding machines require specific protective measures to prevent localized damage from affecting overall performance. For gas cylinders in gas welding machines, they must be placed upright and secured with chains or supports to prevent tipping and leakage. Oxygen cylinders and acetylene cylinders must be stored separately, with a distance of at least 5 meters between them, and kept away from flammable materials and open flames. The storage area should be well-ventilated to prevent gas accumulation and potential hazards.
Welding cables and welding torches, being high-frequency components, require special protection: cables should be stored suspended to avoid contact with sharp objects that could damage the insulation, and kept away from corrosive substances; welding torches should be hung on dedicated hooks to prevent collisions with hard objects that could deform the nozzle. Before storage, ensure all connections are properly sealed to prevent moisture from entering. For moving parts on the equipment (such as motor bearings), a small amount of lubricating grease can be applied to reduce wear during idle periods and extend service life.
Proper storage of welding machines during long-term idle periods can effectively prevent component damage and performance degradation, ensuring stable and reliable operation when the equipment is restarted. If you need welding equipment that is both durable and easy to maintain, the PDKJ welding machine, with its excellent manufacturing process and reasonable structural design, not only performs stably in use, but is also easier to maintain in good condition when idle through proper storage, making it an excellent choice for industrial production and maintenance.
If you have welding machine requirements, please contact Ms. Zhao
Founded in 2006, PDKJ is a professional supplier of welding automation solutions. The company has passed the ISO9001 international quality management system certification, has more than 90 officially authorized and applied national patents, and a number of core technologies in the welding field fill the technical gap at home and abroad. It is a national high-tech enterprise.
