Welding essentials

Hypertherm

Plasma arc metal cutting technology supplier Hypertherm has launched two types of consumable kits that will help Powermax owners realize the full versatility of their systems.

The All-in-one kit is specifically for handheld cutting. Although contents of the kit vary depending on which Powermax system you own, end users can find up to four different consumable types:

• shielded consumables with drag-cutting technology for following a line or template

• unshielded consumables with an unshielded nozzle for hard-to-reach areas and bevel cutting

• gouging consumables for tough metal removal jobs

• FineCut consumables for more precise cuts on thin metal.

The All-in-one kits provide a significant savings over purchasing the kits separately. A free reference guide that provides tips on different cutting techniques and shows how to properly assemble a torch provides even more value.

The FineCut kit is designed for both handheld and mechanized cutting. It includes a guide with cut charts and a visual that shows proper torch assembly. Reordering individual kit components for both the All-in-one and FineCut is easy thanks to part numbers and part descriptions found directly above the corresponding consumable in the kit.

“Powermax systems are the ideal tool for a variety of applications. These All-in-one and FineCut kits demonstrate the added versatility of the systems for cutting in tight places, bevel cutting, gouging, and precision cutting on thin plate,” said Clayton Gould, product marketing manager for Hypertherm’s torch and consumable team.

www.hypertherm.com/consumablekits

ESAB

ESAB’s offerings in consumables includes the Eco-Coil, the AristoRod non-copper coated solid welding wire and welding wire drums.

According to ESAB, Eco-Coil is ideal for high-production fabrication including wind towers and pipe mills holding 2,200 lbs (1,000 kg) of wire in an ecologically friendly package. The package is shipped around a cardboard core, shrink wrapped and strapped to the pallet for shipping. Once received, the Eco-Coil is then removed from the pallet and placed on a “one-way-spider” or “stem” for use. The “one-way-spider” is intended for re-use with future Eco-Coils by the fabricator.

AristoRod 12.50 is a premium quality, non-copper coated solid welding wire for GMAW welding of unalloyed steels and fine-grained, carbon-manganese steels. The wires are a new generation of MIG wires manufactured using Advanced Surface Characteristics Technology (ASC). ASC wire technology provides excellent starting characteristics, consistent trouble-free feeding, superior arc stability at high currents, and very low levels of spatter, says the company. ASC technology also provides reduced contact tip wear and creates a barrier on the wire surface that is highly resistant to corrosion.

ESAB’s new 1,000 lb (454 kg) drums for welding wire replace the standard 800 lb. (363 kg) drums for welding wire diameters 3/16 in. and smaller. The 1,000 lb drums reduce changeovers by up to 20 per cent allowing the fabricator to spend more time welding.

www.esab.com

Hobart Brothers

Hobart Brothers has developed a new metal-cored welding wire designed to maximize performance and increase productivity on high volume robotic welding applications, especially those for heavy equipment manufacturing. According to Hobart Brothers, the new Matrix wire from the company’s Tri-Mark brand is a first of its kind in the industry—a proprietarily manufactured product formulated specifically to provide uncompromised arc starting and wire feeding consistency. The exacting nature of this proprietary manufacturing process ensures that Matrix performs consistenty, regardless of the application.

Matrix’s reliable arc starting and excellent wire feedability are the result of a Hobart Brothers’ exclusive technology. This special technology has also been shown to extend the life of robotic gun liners and to eliminate buildup at the drive rolls. Combined, each of these features reduces downtime for maintenance and post-weld activities, and ensures greater overall welding productivity. Testing also shows Matrix creates a consistent weld bead shape, offers excellent crack resistance and minimizes silicon island formation. Combined, these attributes make it suitable for heavy equipment and similar manufacturing.

Hobart Brothers created Matrix in response to a growing industry demand for a welding wire that could provide better performance and minimize downtime on robotic welding applications. Field tests have shown the wire offers precise arc starts and smooth wire feeding, along with excellent seam tracking and touch sensing.

Matrix metal-cored wire is available on 33 lb plastic spools that are precision layer wound to support consistent wire feeding, and each spool ships in a heat-sealed, VCI (Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor) impregnated bag to protect against contaminants. Hobart Brothers also offers the Matrix wire in its exclusive 750 lb X-Pak drum.

www.Hobartbrothers.com

Lincoln Electric

Lincoln Electric has introduced the new Excalibur 10018-D2 MR low hydrogen stick electrode for all-position welding of a variety of carbon-manganese, chromium-molybdenum and low alloy steels typically found in offshore welding applications.

Excalibur 10018-D2 MR meets NACE requirements for corrosion resistance necessary for offshore and subsea welding of pipe carrying H2S or “sour gas.” It is also an excellent choice for welding chromium-molybdenum steels including AISI 4130, 4140 and 8630, as well as ASTM A182 and A336 Grades F22. The new electrode features premium arc performance with square coating burn-off and improved puddle control and visibility; is easy to strike and re-strike; and are lot controlled and Q2 tested.

www.lincolnelectric.com

Tregaskiss

Adding to its TOUGH LOCK Contact Tip System, Tregaskiss has upgraded the design of its TOUGH LOCK Retaining Heads. The retaining heads now feature Tregaskiss’ Dual Taper Technology—a second rear taper between the gooseneck and the contact tip. This design further improves electrical conductivity and heat dissipation to provide consistent welding performance and extend the life of consumables, claims the company.

The new retaining head design complements the company’s contact Tips. These tips are machined with tight tolerances and feature a dual-lead thread design that allows the tips to be rotated 180° to create a new wear position and extend tip life. The tips operate at cooler temperatures than many competitive tips, reducing wear and minimizing downtime for changeover.

Useable for both semi-automatic and robotic MIG guns, the TOUGH LOCK System also acts as a common consumable platform to help minimize inventory and reduce consumables cost. Customers can identify the

new TOUGH LOCK Retaining Heads by the black O-rings (the preceding single taper design had red or green), the two score marks above the clip and the part number

roll-marked along the bottom edge. All retaining heads with the new Dual Taper Technology will have new part numbers, which can be found, for ordering purposes, at:

www.tregaskiss.com/dualtaper