TPi January 2020

Tube welding technology

Longitudinal seam welders Bode™ longitudinal seam welders are designed for welding longitudinal seams of cylinders, tubes, conical and rectangular work pieces, as well as flat sheets of plate.

titanium, copper or aluminium. The variable speed travelling carriage, which traverses an accurately machined beam, ensures the torch precisely follows the welding seam. The Bode HSW range of positioners can produce uniformly strong welds using TIG (argon arc) with and without filler wire, MIG (metal inert gas) using argon, CO 2 or gas mixture, and submerged

arc processes. An automatic welding function, via Siemens touchscreen PLC technology, allows the possibility of a simple one-button ‘weld start’ for the operator.

The robust construction of the machines and patented design of the clamping finger operation ensures the correct alignment for the welding of thin-gauge material in stainless steel, mild steel, Machines are available in lengths from 500mm to 13.5m. Bode Positioners Ltd www.bode.co.uk Training system improves welding techniques with hands-on, guided skills practice

stop and remove gloves to get instant information. Realweld’s audio coaching feature provides users with guidance on weld speed, angles, aim, contact tip- to-work distance, arc length and weld position. These cues can be turned off at any time to allow students or prospective employees to demonstrate learned behaviour without a guide. Instructors can review scoring and analysis to track progress and determine if students are developing bad habits. They also are able to adjust tolerances to lenient, moderate or stringent settings. The system’s ‘sweet spot’ parameters associated with proper welding techniques using welding procedure specifications (WPS) can be set for each weld. Instructors can access the system on the Realweld unit itself or via their own computers using the Desktop Instructor feature. Lincoln Electric www.lincolnelectric.com

carriage makes it easy to move the table and arm for welding in flat, vertical or overhead positions. The system features an ‘arc off’ mode that allows students to practise, troubleshoot and master welding techniques without burning an arc. This approach not only boosts learning and muscle memory but also helps reduce material costs, including welding plate, flux, electrode or wire and shielding gas. As a user welds, with or without an arc, the system analyses and scores every attempted weld trial on five technique parameters, providing embedded, immediate and objective information on a 17" touchscreen display that students can access in the booth. The system also enables students to review instructional videos, technical documents and instructor hand-outs such as safety data sheets, all on-screen in the booth. The display responds to gloved hands, so users do not have to

Realweld ® Advanced Trainer gives students and prospective employees a live-arc, multi-sensory learning experience that merges actual welding with advanced motion tracking technology. The system helps students master MIG, stick and flux-cored processes with immediate in-booth feedback and analysis. Realweld improves training results by enhancing student comprehension, reducing training time and increasing certification rates in both school and industry settings. It is suitable for use as a bridge to traditional welding training or as a screening tool to determine welding proficiency. Users can practice multi-pass capability in a number of positions, including 1F, 2F, 3F, 4F, 1G, 2G and 3G, and lap, tee, groove and flat-plate joints. Standard 6" and optional 18" fixtures allow users to perform a number of multi-pass industry-standard welds. A motorised

AWL develops modular welding jigs AWL has gained experience with the development and construction of configurable cells (machines), primarily for the automotive industry.

savings for customers who work with fast lead times and high production volumes. An advantage of these modular welding jigs is that they can be built better and faster each time, thanks to the design’s progressive development. AWL www.awl.nl

Following the successful integration of these cells, the company began the development of configurable welding jigs. AWL states that modular welding jigs allow customers to work more efficiently. The jig is developed in one location and can be assembled anywhere in the world: local parties do not need to develop a new jig each time. This can provide

This has enabled it to respond to the demands and requirements of the market with regard to the standardisation of the production process.

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TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL January 2020

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