Processes

New multiprocess inverter

Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. has introduced its XMT 350 MPa (MIG, Pulsed, advanced arc controls) multiprocess inverter for pulsed MIG welding in portable applications or when space savings and low weight are a prime consideration. The new XMT 350 MPa features built-in pulsed MIG capabilities, and according to Miller Electric, is the first welder specifically designed for pulsed MIG welding with voltage sensing feeders, such as Miller’s SuitCase X-Treme Series.The XMT 350 MPa features built-in pulsing controls and advanced arc controls that enable the operator to control weld puddle fluidity, weld bead profile and arc length, the company said.

“If an operator knows how to MIG weld, he or she can pulsed MIG weld with the XMT 350 MPa because it automatically makes all pulsing adjustments” Ken Stanzel, Miller product manager, said. ”Operators control voltage and wire feed speed like they do with a regular MIG welder, and they can tailor the arc length to suit the application and their welding style.”

The XMT 350 MPa weighs 80 lb, provides a 5-amp to 425-amp output (350 amps at 60 percent duty cycle) and offers pulsed MIG, MIG, flux cored, stick, DC TIG and air carbon-arc gouging capabilities.

---

Water-cooled torches

Weldcraft now offers its WP-18 series water-cooled TIG torches for high-amperage, continuous-duty welding applications, and they are available in four styles. Weldcraft said the torches feature a special cooling design that minimizes overheating and costly downtime.

The hand-held torch models (WP-18, WP-18V, WP-18SP) have handles designed for comfort and to improve torch control, and prevent operator fatigue and/or discomfort. The WP-18 hand-held torch models are all rated at 350 amps DC and 100 percent duty cycle. All WP-18 series torches have optional cable covers, power cable adapters and extension kits available.

---

Safety

Cartridge dust collectors with explosion vent

Farr Air Pollution Control is now offering its Gold Series dust collector with a new high-performance explosion vent for applications involving the capture of explosive dusts. The new X-vent is NFPA approved and CE and ATEX certified for European use.

The multi-ribbed vent delivers a high negative static operating pressure rating of -80-in. WC (water column) sand is designed to open at +1 psi (30-in. WC). Rated for 350° F operating temperature, the X-vent is standard on all new Gold Series collectors that require explosion protection, and it is also suitable for retrofit use.

Gold Series dust collectors feature a rugged 10-gauge construction for durable performance, reversible easy-to-open access doors, and a patented system that the company said allows fast, trouble-free filter changeout without tools. The company said the collectors also are equipped with its HemiPleat filter for extended service life and have a lower pressure drop than standard dust collector cartridge filters – typically double the life at half the pressure drop. The filter media provides high efficiency (99.99 percent on 0.5 micron particles and larger) and high moisture resistance.

---

Passive and auto-darkening helmets

Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. has introduced its new MP-10 line of passive (nonauto- darkening) welding helmets. The MP-10 (Miller passive-shade #10 filter) is a standard shade for general welding applications. The new helmets are available in the “Inferno” graphic design or basic black. MP-10 helmets use the same shell as Miller’s Elite Series autodarkening helmets, but uses a passive lens. The MP-10 weighs only 18 oz and features a large 16-sq-in. viewing area for optimum skin coverage and a magnifying lens holder for “cheater” lenses that can provide a better view of the weld puddle. An optional hardhat adapter is also available.

Miller Electric has also added X-Mode Technology its new Digital Elite series auto-darkening welding helmets. The helmets offer the flexibility of using one helmet for multiple operations: welding, cutting and grinding. Building on the features already present in Miller Electric’s Elite series helmet, the Digital Elite series also allows a user to quickly switch between four modes – welding, cutting, grinding and X-Mode – while retaining the user’s preferences for shade, sensitivity.

---

Consumables

Flux-cored wire

Hobart Brothers Co. has introduced FabCO TR-70 self-shielded fluxcored wire that offers high deposition rates with minimal cleaning and is good for applications such as earthmoving equipment, heavy fabrication, railroad cars, steel structures and storage vessel.

The FabCO TR-70 is designed to join mild and carbon steels. It maintains a stable arc even with long stick-outs while achieving deposition rates from 7 lb per hr to 25 lb per hr. The wire’s flat bead profile and crack resistance on heavy plate and restrained joints results in strong, visually pleasing welds.

The addition of deoxidizers allows FabCO TR-70 wire to weld through moderate amounts of mill scale, rust and other surface impurities with minimal cleaning. Easy slag removal reduces clean-up time, particularly in deep groove applications. It is available in 0.045 in., 0.052 in., 0.625 in., and 0.0937-in. diameters and can be successfully welded at a variety of current settings.

New line of 150-amp consumables

Hypertherm Inc. has expanded its Centricut brand with the introduction of a 150-amp consumable set to its list of Innerlogic Pro- Line2200 consumables offerings. The new 150-amp consumables join four other Proline2200 consumable sets — 50 amp, 70 amp, 100 amp and 200-amp versions.

“We are seeing strong demand for the first four sets of Proline2200 consumables,” Dean Lizotte, team leader for Hypertherm’s Centricut brand, said.

“Proline owners tell us the Centricut brand consumables are lasting longer and cutting better than any other consumable they’ve used and have asked us to develop a 150-amp set,” he added.

The company said that, in addition to a longer life and better cut quality, the Centricut brand consumables can lower the operating cost of the Proline2200. The increased performance and lower operating cost is due to Hypertherm’s SilverLine electrodes and CoolFlow nozzles.

SilverLine electrode technology involves welding a solid silver front end to a copper electrode base and inserting a hafnium pin into the silver. CoolFlow nozzle technology, on the other hand, offers improved conduction cooling, O-ring cooling and seal reliability. Additionally, flow stagnation and leaks into the plasma chamber are eliminated.

Shops can order any of Hypertherm’s Centricut brand Proline2200 consumable sets, or request a cut sample, by contacting Hypertherm Call Center at 800-752-7623.

---

Equipment

Accessories for right-angle grinders

Weiler Corp. offers its line of power brushes and abrasives designed for use on large and small right-angle grinders.

The power brush line includes a variety of wire wheels, cup brushes and bevel brushes in a selection of diameters, wire sizes and types. Users can also choose from crimped wire for flexibility and light-duty applications or knot wire for more aggressive brushing action.

The abrasives offered for right-angle grinders include the Tiger Disc line of coated abrasive flap discs that provide a high cut rate and long life and Vortec Pro flap discs that provide a high cut rate at a value price. Application- specific flap discs include Big Cat flap discs for grinding and finishing curved and irregular surfaces and Tiger Discs for stainless steel grinding.