What type of welding uses flexible consumable electrodes on spools?

The correct answer is GMAW, or Gas Metal Arc Welding. This welding process utilizes a continuous and flexible consumable electrode that is fed from spools. The electrode is made of metal wire and is integrated with a shielding gas, which is used to protect the weld pool from contamination by the atmosphere. This allows for a smooth and efficient welding process, making GMAW suitable for a wide range of applications, including thin materials and complex weld configurations. The use of spooled wire helps to maintain a consistent feed to the welding gun, which enhances the welding speed and overall productivity.

Other welding methods have different characteristics and equipment. For example, SAW, or Submerged Arc Welding, uses a solid wire electrode but requires granular flux to cover the weld and does not use a flexible spool. LBW, which stands for Laser Beam Welding, employs a laser as the heat source and does not involve consumable electrodes. RSW, or Resistance Spot Welding, involves the use of electrode tips that apply pressure and current to join sheets of metal, rather than a continuous wire feed. Thus, GMAW stands out for its unique use of flexible consumable electrodes on spools.