🚀 go-pugleaf

.....and we thought weld fumes don't cause any mental issues!

<richard.smith.met@ntlworld.com> wrote in message 
news:1118697266.512387.39750@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Brian
>
> In space, where you are in a high vacuum, electron beam is the one to
> use.  Electron beam is really neat but only in a vacuum - but in space
> that's exactly what you are in - a vacuum.  So all you need is the
> "gun", open - no shields, chambers, pumps, ancilliaries or anything.
> Can hold an in-space electron beam welding torch in one hand.
>
> The Soviets were ahead in this.  See
> http://www.thefabricator.com/Articles/Welding_Article.cfm?ID=553
>
> Also see
> http://www.aws.org/about/photo/hist_pho24.jpg
> and with accompanying text
> www.aws.org/about/ time_by5.html
>
> On Earth, you have to have a vacuum chamber to hold your weldment and
> pumps to pump it down to a very low vacuum.  It's a major hassle.  If
> the chamber is big, it takes  long time to pump down.  If it's small,
> there will often be some part of your job which won't fit in.  Laser
> can be used in air.  So although lasers are expensive, they tend to be
> used on Earth.  But in space...  No such problem.
>
> You can see the Soviet astronaut just holding the electron beam gun up
> against what she is welding and the thing works.
>
> Richard S.
>