Sunday, July 09, 2006

Novel control technology optimises weld quality

A new technology from ESAB is revolutionising the way welding parameters are optimised for short-arc welding.
QSet, which is believed to be unique, offers the potential for significant setup time savings, as no trial-and-error set-up procedures are required, plus it can offer improved weld quality, reduce the need for post-weld cleaning and enable operators to produce high-quality joints with minimal set-up time and maximum productivity. All the operator has to do is select the wire feed speed and QSet automatically sets the correct welding parameters for the given wire/gas combination.

All valid wire/gas combinations can be used.

There are no synergic lines, just a single knob to set the wire feed speed and obtain the optimum welding parameters.

Nevertheless, the operator can still elect to modify arc length by means of a voltage trim control.

A further benefit of QSet is that the control algorithms maintain a constant power in the arc and depth of penetration, even if the contact tip distance changes.

Because the arc stability is closely controlled, there is also less weld spatter and, therefore, less post-weld cleaning.

Initially QSet is being incorporated within the MA23A control panel that is fitted to the Origo Mig C3000i power source and the Origo Mig 3000i power source used in conjunction with the Origo Feed L3004 A wide variety of users will benefit from QSet.

For example, it is ideal for MIG brazing, which is now employed extensively in the automotive repair sector for repairing galvanised steel body panels due to the reduced heat input distortion and burn-off of the zinc galvanising.

QSet also offers better characteristics for welding with CO2 were the stable short arc reduces spatter and consequently minimises the amount of after treatment work required.