Tier 4 Final, or T4F, emissions regulations go into effect on Jan. 1, 2013 for machines used in the United States and Canada with diesel engines in the 25 to 75 horsepower range, including engine-driven welder/generators. While that’s still months away, there is much for you to know about the changes that diesel engine-driven welder/generators will undergo and what manufacturers are doing to prepare for these regulations and anticipated price increases. In the article linked below we look at how this equipment is being redesigned, buying considerations based on output demands (can you get by with an engine-driven welder/generator lower than 25 horsepower?), and possible ways to improve your processes to offset price increases on new T4F equipment.
The new Invision 450 MPa MIG/Pulsed MIG welding inverter is the big brother to the popular Invision 352 MPa. Optimized for use on thicker materials and larger diameter wires, the Invision 450 MPa offers manufacturers and fabricators 450 amps of Pulsed MIG welding power at 100 percent duty cycle. Additional features include:
Longer welding times with larger wire diameters for increased productivity, thanks to higher amperage and duty cycle
Dual wire feeder capability so you can always have two wires ready as particular jobs change, saving time and money with less set-up.
Additional Pulsed MIG programs for .052- and 1/16-inch wires and all the great programs found in the Invision 352 MPa
Simple interface and controls for operators
Improved Pulsed MIG welding arc with ability to weld on wider range of thicknesses
Synergic “one knob” controls that automatically adjust pulse parameters to match wire feed speed
Improved energy efficiency over older and non-inverter welding equipment
The new Invision 450 MPa is designed for extremely easy use: the operator selects the wire diameter, wire type, gas being used and wire feed speed and they are ready to weld. The machine features standard built-in programs for steel, metal-cored, aluminum, stainless steel, nickel, silicon bronze and copper nickel wires. Advanced arc controls provide a more robust, stable Pulsed MIG arc at very low arc length, which reduces heat input and provides the ability to weld on a wider range of material thicknesses.
The system is optimized when connected to a 74 MPa Plus wire feeder. Additional benefits include:
Operation is simplified with synergic Pulsed MIG controls, which give the operator “one knob” control over pulse adjustments by adjusting wire feed speed.
The system also offers Profile Pulse™, a feature that gives a cosmetic bead appearance similar to TIG welding.
Consistent, versatile and dependable aluminum welding is possible with the 74 MPa Plus wire feeder, using Alumination™ technology that also allows for the use of extended-reach push-pull guns.
The Invision 450 MPa also offers 115 volts of auxiliary power for added flexibility when matching the system with a water cooler or using hand tools.
Running a welding business/department isn’t easy – we’ve compiled 10 of the most common pitfalls people make and easy ways to avoid them in this article.
Kevin Tully, owner of Hot Rod Chassis & Cycle recently completed the Raybestos GTO (as seen in the video) and exclusively uses Miller welders. Watch as he talks about how the Dynasty® 200 Series TIG welder helps his shop to get the job done!
Miller is excited to announce today the introduction of the new XMT® 450 MPa multiprocess welder. This new machine offers one of the industry’s most powerful and consistent options for Pulsed MIG welding. It features increased power and duty cycle ideal for heavy carbon arc gouging and large diameter welding applications. It is also optimized for MIG, Stick, TIG, and Flux Cored welding processes.
This powerful new inverter-based power source features the reliability and arc performance of the XMT 350 MPa but with more amperage, exceptional power efficiency and additional programs for Pulsed MIG welding with up to .052- and 1/16-inch wires.
Fabricating and MetalWorking recently ran an article on Shinn Mechanical of Kent, WA and its use of Miller’s PipeWorx welding system. An excerpt from the article:
Shop operators here complete joints three to four times faster than shops that rely solely on stick and TIG technology. How? They use a pipe-specific multi-process welding system from Miller Electric Mfg. Co. (Appleton, WI) called PipeWorx™ that was recommended by Jim Hedberg, a representative from Pacific Welding Supply (Tacoma, WA).
The PipeWorx system uses Pro-Pulse™ pulsed MIG and RMD™ (regulated metal deposition) processes, as well as stick, TIG and flux cored processes that have been optimized specifically for pipe fabrication. The system also provides traditional MIG processes. Switching between processes requires only the push of one button, with no need to manually switch polarity, cables or hoses, thus increasing productivity and eliminating a potential source of errors.
You can read the whole article here. You can also watch a video of the guys from Shinn discussing RMD and Pro-Pulse here.
Miller spent time last summer in Bald Knob, Arkansas, where Pipeliners Local Union 798 was working on a new natural gas pipeline. Miller and welding distributor WELSCO held a pipeliners appreciation event that weekend and then spent time out on the right-of-way. Miller also took the opportunity to introduce the pipeline welding community to the brand new Big Blue® 350 PipePro diesel engine-driven welder/AC generator – a machine that Local 798 had substantial input in designing.
“We’ve worked extensively with Miller on the development of this,” says Farron Hollabaugh, director of training, Local 798. “It’s a strong machine that has good arc characteristics. You get the exact same amperage out of it every time you use it as opposed to a DC generator that varies with temperature. They can count on it being the same weld characteristics every time they strike an arc.”
For more information, read the whole story. You’ll also see videos on the event and the pipeline welding history of Bald Knob. You can also visit us at ConExpo (Gold Lot, Booth G-254) to see the machine and talk pipeline welding.
Miller Electric Mfg. Co. will showcase new welding products, accessories and safety gear at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011, which is being held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, March 22 – 26, 2011. Miller will introduce new and specialized equipment in booth G-254 (Gold Lot), conduct live welding demos, and highlight the newest welding innovations designed specifically for the construction industry.
Industry professionals will be able to follow along using social media outlets YouTube, Facebook and Twitter for regular updates, videos and special promotions from the tradeshow floor. For more information on these products and all news related to CONEXPO-CON/AGG, visit www.MillerWelds.com.
Editor’s note: You will also be able to see Miller’s latest offerings for service and mechanics trucks at ConExpo in South Hall booth 10524, including the latest additions to the EnPak® product line. Stop by either booth for more details.
