For joining thick steel plates together in shipbuilding, which welding method is known for its high deposition rate and suitability for automation?

The welding method known for its high deposition rate and suitability for automation when joining thick steel plates in shipbuilding is Submerged Arc Welding (SAW). In SAW, a continuously fed bare wire electrode is used, and the arc, which is the electrical discharge between the electrode and the workpiece, is completely submerged and shielded under a blanket of granular flux. This flux melts during welding, forming a protective slag that covers the molten weld pool, which is the melted area of the base metal and filler metal. This slag then solidifies over the completed weld, protecting it from atmospheric contamination as it cools. SAW achieves a high deposition rate, meaning it deposits a large amount of weld metal per unit of time, because it can utilize very high currents and a continuous wire feed. Its inherent stability, the absence of arc flash, and minimal fume generation make it exceptionally well-suited for automation and mechanization. Automated systems, such as gantries or robotic setups, can precisely control the welding parameters and traverse the long, often repetitive weld seams found in shipbuilding, efficiently joining the thick steel plates required for hull construction and other structural components.