3Process Variations-Metal TransferThe basic mig process includes three distinctive process techniques: short circuiting metal transfer, globulartransfer, and spray arc. These techniques describe the manner in which metal is transferred from the wire tothe weld pool. In short circuiting metal transfer, also known as ”Short Arc”, ”Dip Transfer”, and ”Microwire”,metal transfer occurs when an electrical short circuit is established. This occurs as the molten metal at theend of the wire touches the molten weld pool. In spray arc welding, small molten drops of metal aredetached from the tip of the wire and projected by electromagnetic forces towards the weld pool. Globulartransfer occurs when the drops of metal are quite large and move toward the weld pool under the influenceof gravity. Factors that determine the manner of metal transfer are the welding current, wire size, arc length(voltage), power supply characteristics, and shielding gas.