Which fusion welding process is considered to be totally manual?

The oxy-fuel welding process is considered to be totally manual because it requires the welder to perform all the tasks by hand, including controlling the flame and feeding the filler metal into the weld joint. In this process, the welder uses a torch that mixes oxygen and a fuel gas (like acetylene), achieving high temperatures necessary for melting the metals to be joined. The personal skill and technique of the welder play a crucial role in producing quality welds.

In contrast, other fusion welding processes, such as submerged arc welding, gas metal arc welding, and gas tungsten arc welding, often incorporate automatic or semi-automatic features that can assist in the welding process. These may involve machines or mechanisms that take over some actions, like feeding the wire or maintaining the arc, which contrasts with the fully manual approach of oxy-fuel welding.