 As an industrial process , the cost of welding plays a crucial role in manufacturing decisions . Many different variables affect the total cost , including equipment cost , labor cost , material cost , and energy cost . Depending on the process , equipment cost can vary , from inexpensive for methods like shielded metal arc welding and oxyfuel welding , to extremely expensive for methods like laser beam welding and electron beam welding . Because of their high cost , they are only used in high production operations . Similarly , because automation and robots increase equipment costs , they are only implemented when high production is necessary . Labor cost depends on the deposition rate ( the rate of welding ) , the hourly wage , and the total operation time , including time spent fitting , welding , and handling the part . The cost of materials includes the cost of the base and filler material , and the cost of shielding gases . Finally , energy cost depends on arc time and welding power demand . 
