WCA November 2024

Technology News

Controlling welding current by foot While a welding machine is usually set to a particular, constant welding current, there are cases where it is necessary to vary the current. Examples are contour welding or welding air gaps of different widths. If the current can be regulated during these processes, the welder can produce a clean and even seam. When welding aluminium, it also makes sense to regulate the current during the process depending on the temperature. EWM’s foot-operated remote control is sturdy and has a non-slip pad, with rubber feet to ensure stability. A stainless steel bracket allows it to be positioned wherever it is needed below the table. It can also be moved during the welding process without having to interrupt work.

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Pressing the pedal increases the welding current. This lets the operator adjust the current precisely, to achieve the desired weld seam quality. The key advantage is that the user has both hands free and can concentrate entirely on the welding process to produce optimum results, even with positional welding. The foot-operated remote control with 19-pole plug is compatible with all TIG welding machines, whether Picotig, Tetrix or Tetrix XQ, and with EWM’s plasma welding machines. EWM GmbH www.ewm-group.com

Welding current is usually regulated using push buttons built into the welding torch. The disadvantage of this is that the user must operate the buttons with their hands. A remote control from EWM provides a safer and more convenient option to regulate the welding current.

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The foot-operated remote control from EWM

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regulates the current during TIG welding

Prolonged lifetime for robust take-ups Maillefer’s EKP take-ups have been available for spooling insulated wires and cores for decades. On older machines, even when the robust EKP mechanics are still in good running condition, there is a high probability that an outdated control system will fail before the rest.

of concerned EKP machines in a digital world. The old analogue card rack is replaced with a modern Siemens S7 PLC. Identical functions are translated into the new PLC system, and features are continued without losing performance. The plug-and-play solutions are easily installed into the existing electrical cabinets of the various EKP machines in just a few hours, for minimum downtime. In some cases, replacement of the control cabinet may be recommended, depending on the age and condition of the existing cabinet. The complete control cabinet includes the new Siemens S7 PLC-based solution to replace the old analogue cards, and all other electrical components and drives will be up to date, securing reliable operation. Maillefer keeps several packages in stock, to allow customers to quickly obtain an upgrade. Maillefer Extrusion Oy www.maillefer.net

When this happens, it can lead to unwanted production stoppages and costly consequences. Additionally, finding spares for the original analogue parts is increasingly difficult, if not impossible. The EKP take-ups were originally supplied with high-quality analogue technology to control spooling and reel changes. In today’s digital world, ana- logue systems make the EKP vulnerable to unexpected events. Among the affected EKP model numbers are 50, 63, 100 and 130. To overcome the maintenance challenge and keep the original take-ups running, Maillefer has developed a solution. The PLC replacement kit extends the lifetime

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November 2024