PROCESSES

System for determining diffusible hydrogen

Bruker AXS (www.bruker.com) has launched its new G4 Phoenix combustion analysis system with an infrared furnace for the determination of diffusible hydrogen.

“Welding material producers, tube plants and steel mills all require the advanced hydrogen analysis capabilities of our new G4 Phoenix system,” Bernard Kolodziej, executive vice president of Bruker AXS, said.

The system determines the diffusible hydrogen in a wide range of material and matrices. Its quick heating infrared furnace with a quartz tube diameter of 30 mm allows advanced analysis of large samples up to 220 grams, along with the detailed analysis of industry-standard welding samples. A gas calibration unit with 10 different volumes guarantees simple and reliable calibration. The system is highly sensitive and the stable thermal conductivity detector is capable of reading extremely small hydrogen contents.

The G4 Phoenix analysis software is designed to be easy to use.

Typical analysis times of welding samples are 20 min. to 40 min. The system's analysis and report format complies with both the AWS A4.3 and ISO 3690 norms.”

Plasma cutting/gouging system

Hypertherm (www.hypertherm.com) said its new Powermax45 is the world's most versatile and portable 0.5-in. inch plasma cutting and gouging system. Although it weighs just 37 lbs. — nearly 20 lbs. lighter than other systems in its class — the system is designed to sever metal that is 1 in. thick.

Portable Torch Kit

TurboTorch (www.thermadyne.com/turbotorch) has introduced a new portable torch kit that is designed to hold the essential welding equipment and tools, while providing the comfort and convenience necessary for easy handling and transporting.

TThe Deluxe Portable Torch Kit kit includes a durable soft tool bag, self lighting PL-3T tip, ergonomic torch handle, STK-R Regulatore (CGA-600) and a 12-ft. hose. It features four bonus items: a hose clamp, PL-4 tip, PL-812 heat shield and a Viper SX solder.

The kit also includes a comfortable carrying handle, multiple storage pockets, metal sleeve for hot tip storage, adjustable shoulder strap and enough room to store two gas cylinders.

“The new torch kit takes portable kits to a whole new level because of its practicality,” Paul Minter, vice president and general manager of TurboTorch and Thermadyne's Specialty Markets Group, said. “It provides a practical and compact way for carrying equipment, and is just the right size - allowing users to easily get in and out of tight spaces, without hauling around a bulky tool kit.”

Robotic arc welding system

Motoman (www.motoman.com) has introduced its ArcWorld V-1000, a fully integrated, pre-engineered robotic arc welding system with an integrated turntable positioner. The system is designed to work with one or two robots. The single robot (AWV-1000) or dual robot (AWV-1200) workcells are designed with wall-mounted robots to reduce floorspace by up to 44 percent.

The AWV-1000 series models feature one or two high-speed SSA2000 arc welding robots; NX100 controller with menu-driven arc welding application software; integrated welding package; MR-300 indexing rotary part positioner; operator station; and total safety environment - all the automation required for robotic arc welding, said Motoman.

The cell comes available with one or two SSA2000 “Super Speed” arc welding robots, that Motoman said are the world's fastest arc welding robots, able to reduce cycle time by 15 percent. The dual-robot workcells double productivity.

The MR-300 part positioner has a 300-kg payload, two-position rotary turntable, and a 4-second index time that provides high-volume production, said Motoman. It has a 60-in. (1,524-mm) turning diameter. Divided by a protective arc screen, it allows the operator to safely load and unload parts from one location outside the robot work envelope while the robot welds inside the cell.

Installation and set-up are easy, with robot(s), controller, positioner and power sources ship on a common cell platform to reduce installation and set-up time. The entire cell, including integrated overhead support ships on one skid that fits in an 110-in. H truck.

CONSUMABLES

Stainless steel electrodes

Arcos Industries LLC (www.arcos.com) has introduced new bare wire and covered stainless steel electrodes, Arcos 310, that are manufactured for high temperature welding applications. The bare wire version, ER310, is designed to deliver high temperature oxidation resistance up to 2,100 F. This electrode is for welding in chemical processing and nuclear power plants as well as for furnace and heat treatment equipment.

The covered electrode, E310, is also for use in chemical processing plants and nuclear facilities. In addition, this wire is used to weld stainless steel of similar composition in cast and wrought form as well as surfacing low alloy steels where 310 deposit is required.

Both Arcos 310 electrodes also meet military approval.

Martensitic stainless steel electrodes

Select-Arc Inc. (www.select-arc.com) has introduced two flux cored, martensitic stainless steel electrodes that are designed for welding in the flat and horizontal positions.

Select 410, E410T0-4, containing 12 percent chromium, is used to weld straight 410 stainless steel and features good corrosion and oxidation resistance up to 1,200 F. This electrode provides a smooth spray arc transfer with low spatter and produces a finely rippled bead with a self peeling slag that minimizes cleanup time. The weld deposit is air hardening and is normally heat-treated after welding.

Select 410NiMo, E410NiMoT0-1, is composed of 12 percent chromium, 4.5 percent nickel and .65 percent molybdenum with a maximum carbon content of 0.06 percent. This wire offers an accurate and consistent deposit composition, excellent bead cosmetics and good feedability. Select 410NiMo is primarily used to weld ASTM CA6NM castings and certain 410 alloys, usually for blades and vanes in power generation equipment.

Select 410 and 410NiMo are available in 0.045-in. through 0.0937-in. diameters.

EQUIPMENT

ERP application builder

Global Shop Solutions (www.globalshopsolutions.com) announced the availability of its Global Application Builder (GAB), a programming tool that allows users to modify its enterprise resource planning (ERP) software system to suit their specific needs. GAB is a Rapid Application Develop language built from the ground-up to integrate with the company's Global Shop Solutions' One-System ERP Solutions. Unlike other customization tools in the industry, GAB allows both front-end and business logic customization without impact to the core system, said the company. System integrity and upgrade migration are not compromised, and users are able to make functionality changes without waiting for a customized option to be built or for a system update.

“At their best, ERP systems help companies eliminate spreadsheets and costly manual processes, whether in the office or on the shop floor,” said Dusty Alexander, president of Global Shop Solutions. “GAB is a further step in that direction, and will allow our customer's own processes to be seamlessly integrated into our system.”

With GAB, customers can:

• Create user-defined workflows.

• Add user-specific security and validation.

• Re-configure screen elements.

• Integrate with third-party products via popular networking protocols, such as ODBC and XML.

• Interact with Ethernet or serial-connected shop floor machining centers and SCADA packages.

• and, create entirely new ERP sub-systems that are integrated with the base package

The tool also allows for sharing: customers can post GAB projects onto the Global Shop Solutions GAB Forum to share programs or discuss them with other customers - a valuable knowledge exchange opportunity. Customers that don't wish to develop extensions and applications themselves can rely on Global Shop Solutions R&D personnel to create their custom solutions in GAB.

EQUIPMENT

Adjustable, vacuum and pipe lifters

The new Adjustable Load Lifter from The Caldwell Group (www.caldwellinc.com) is designed to allow shops to use their cranes to handle a wide range of loads safely.

The lifting bail adjusts to the center of gravity for balanced handling of different sized loads. The unit's throat opening adjusts for different load heights and, on the Tri-Adjustable Model, the fork spread is adjustable. The lifter is also equipped with an Auto-Return Bail to hang level when empty saving time and effort. Models are available in 1-ton and 2-ton capacities.

Also new from The Caldwell Group are its vacuum lifters that the company said are quick, efficient, economical.

The Univac 250 lifters feature simple slide valve operation. The company said the units increase productivity because they can be attached to a crane in five seconds or less, and they are equipped with a compact power-pack that requires little maintenance. Single pad; multiple inline pads and cross-arm models allow the lifters to be configured to handle a wide range of shapes and sizes.

A new Leveling Pipe Lifter from The Caldwell Group Inc. (caldwellinc.com) has a leveling bail that is designed to adjust quickly and easily for varying pipe lengths.

The adjustable bail makes repetitive lifts easy to handle. A laser target holder eliminates the need to manually place the laser target inside the pipe. An operator simply flips down the target to take the reading, then flips it up out of the way to position the next pipe. Other features include: replaceable urethane lifting saddle and positioning handle. The lifter is available in standard capacities from 1.5 tons to 15 tons, and custom sizes are available.