Estimate filler metal, gas, arc time, and total cost per weld
Triangular cross-section, leg length z
Single-V, with angle, root gap & face
Rectangular cross-section
Cost is driven by weld volume (cross-section × length), deposition rate, and the operating factor (% of time the arc is actually burning). Labor typically dominates total cost, so improving the duty cycle has the biggest impact.
Weld metal mass uses steel density (7.85 g/cm³). Filler efficiency accounts for spatter and stub loss. These are planning estimates — verify with shop data for quotations.