Definition
A welding technique in which short sections of weld are laid down with unwelded gaps between them, rather than running one continuous weld along the full length of the joint. The pattern is used to control heat input and minimize warping or distortion of the parts being joined.
Plain English
Instead of welding a long line all at once, the welder lays down a short weld, skips a space, lays down another short weld, and so on. This spreads the heat out so the metal doesn't warp.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance and repair work involving welded metal parts, especially when controlling heat and part alignment matters.
Derivation
From 'skip,' meaning to pass over or leave a gap, combined with 'welding.' The name describes the technique exactly: the welder skips along the joint rather than welding it continuously.
Why Pilots Care
Aircraft structures, especially welded steel tube fuselages, depend on precise alignment. A continuous weld can pull the metal out of true as it cools. Skip welding helps preserve the structure's geometry during repair.
Intuition Check
Skip welding does not mean casually leaving required weld areas unwelded. It means welding in separated short sections to control heat, and only leaving gaps if the approved repair allows that.
Example Sentence 1
The mechanic used skip welding to attach the reinforcement plate so the thin steel tube wouldn't warp from the heat.
Example Sentence 2
Skip welding was chosen for the repair because it reduced heat input and minimized distortion on the structure.