Welding Showcase

The Fabricator 3-in-1 Welder from Thermal Arc

The mission of Victor Technologies is to solve end-user problems in cutting, welding and gas control. Its brand Thermal Arc is a global leader in arc welding and plasma welding equipment, designed to tackle the toughest welding applications. When it comes to cool products, how about a dual-voltage (115V or 230V) MIG, Stick and TIG welder in one package with an MSRP of just $1,399 — about $900 less than a competitive unit? The Fabricator 211i “3-in-1” welder provides the location flexibility mobile fabricators need. It runs great off generator power, weighs less than 58 lbs and can hold 4-, 8- or 12-in. diameter spools of wire and delivers outstanding Stick arc quality (especially with the 7018 rods common in construction). For more information, visit www.victortechnologies.com.

 

The Dura-Flux Self-Shielded, Flux-Cored Gun from Bernard

Bernard has recently introduced its new Dura-Flux Gun with Replaceable Power Cable Liner. This self-shielded flux-cored arc welding (FCAW-S) gun allows quick and easy power cable maintenance and provides operators with 350 amps of welding capability at 60 percent duty cycle. The Dura-Flux Gun with Replaceable Power Cable Liner features an advanced handle design that helps reduce downtime associated with operator fatigue and it is available with an optional dual schedule switch. The dual schedule switch allows for easy wire feed speed adjustment while welding and is integrated into the handle to protect it from weld spatter. The gun’s trigger is sealed to protect from outside contaminants and has been designed for simple replacement should it become damaged. For more information, visit www.bernardwelds.com.

 

The Flextec 650 Multi-Process Welder from Lincoln Electric

The Flextec 650 multi-process welder from Lincoln Electric delivers up to 815 amps of welding power. Its FLEXible TEChnology allows welders to use a variety of processes — Stick, Touch Start TIG (DC), MIG, flux-cored CV submerged arc and arc gouging — on numerous applications, including heavy equipment and transportation, construction and welding education. The inverter-based Flextec 650 is rated at 650 amps at 100 percent duty cycle with a robust amperage range of 10-815 amps, while weighing in at only 165 lbs in a case that measures only 21.83 in. high by 16.3 wide x 29.33 deep. Lincoln Electric Ready-Pak and One-Pa packages configured with popular Lincoln Electric wire feeders and accessories are structured for easy ordering. For more information, call 888-355-3213 or visit www.lincolnelectric.com.

Bobcat Series Engine-Driven Welder/Generators from Miller

Miller Electric Mfg. Co. has re-engineered its Bobcat engine-driven welder/generators to reduce sound, reduce weight, offer a smaller footprint, reduce fuel use and simplify maintenance. Sound is reduced by as much as 33 percent, and the machine is up to 5 in. shorter and 55 lbs lighter (depending on the model). The electronic fuel injection (EFI) option (Bobcat 250) reduces fuel use up to 27 percent compared to carbureted models and offers an additional 1,000 watts of generator power (12,000 peak/10,500 continuous). It also provides more reliable starting performance in cold climates, requires no choke and is less prone to fuel deterioration. For more information, visit www.millerwelds.com.

The Saturnax 09 Multi-Process Bug and Band Welding System from Serimax

Serimax launched the robust Saturnax 09 in the fourth quarter of 2011. The Saturnax 09 is one of the latest digital multi-process bug and band welding systems in the industry. The Saturnax 09 includes an innovative integrated fume extraction system, which provides increased welder safety benefits. The Saturnax 09 also includes freewheeling capabilities, minimizing lifting operations and risk of back injuries. In addition to the new HSE benefits, the new Saturnax Generation reduces the contractor’s and operator’s overall production cost. Serimax already has one of the lower repair rates in the industry, and the Saturnax 09 has new functionalities (such as the possibility to combine pendular and linear oscillation or independent stick-out for both torches) that will help drive the repair rate even lower. For more information, visit www.serimax.com.

Six Reasons

Let Us Count the Ways that Dual-Operator, Engine-Driven Welder/Generators Rock  

By Joe Gitter

Engine-driven welder/generators are one of the most common welding-related pieces of equipment found on service trucks and construction sites. There are some heavy-use applications — such as pipe welding, MRO and structural steel — that may frequently require multiple welding arcs to be running at the same time. At that point, your options are to run an inverter-based welding system off the welder/generator’s power (or off the site’s power if you’re on a site with power), add another welder/generator, or use a dual operator welding system. Dual operator systems offer a number of advantages and, like standard welder/generators, offer industrial-grade generator power for running tools on site. Benefits include:

1 Improved productivity: A dual-operator engine-driven welding system can offer two independent welding arcs up to 400 amps (no interaction between the arcs), and the ability to parallel both independent welding outputs to create an extremely powerful 800 amps of welding power for running large electrodes, stud welding and carbon arc gouging (up to 3/8-in. carbons). There is no interaction between the two arcs, so welders don’t have to worry about interference.

2 Powerful generator power: Using the Big Blue 700 Duo Pro as an example, one 5,500-watt-peak/4,000-watt-continuous single-phase generator is fully independent of weld output and offers peak performance even when welding at 700 amps (no interaction between arc and generator). The second generator (27,000 watts peak/20,000 watts continuous) provides more robust power for high power needs on site. Contractors can even add inverter-based power sources to allow even more welding arcs to be run off of a single machine.

3 Lower cost of operation: A dual-operator system offers a lower capital investment, reduces overhead and associated maintenance costs and can retain a higher resale value than two separate machines. The greatest cost savings, however, come in fuel savings. A dual-operator system can reduce fuel use by 35 percent over two comparable independent machines, saving hundreds of dollars annually and potentially more based on use.

4 Less equipment to transport: Transporting and organizing equipment for larger sites can be challenging. A dual-operating system can weigh hundreds of pounds less than two comparable units and takes up a considerably smaller footprint on trucks and on site. The reduced weight helps reduce wear and tear on transport vehicles. Set side-by-side, two comparable engine-driven units would sit approximately 53 in. wide and 56 in. deep. The dual-operator system with the same output would sit about 29 in. wide and 65 in. deep, saving a considerable amount of space.

5 Reduced noise: Running one engine-driven unit compared to two will substantially reduce the amount of noise in the work area, leading to improved communication and a more comfortable work environment.

6  Reduced emissions: Running one engine rather than two results in a lower level of exhaust emissions, minimizing the impact on the environment. 

Joe Gitter is a product manager for Miller Electric Mfg. Co., based in Appleton, Wis.