Archive for September, 2009

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Safety Practices For Plasma Cutting

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Fire Hazards:

  • While plasma cutting protect your eyes by wearing safety glasses with side shield.
  • Protect your body from flying sparks by wearing dry, undamaged, flame-resistant clothing and gloves. Wear clothes made from tightly woven material. Do not keep matches in your pocket. Wear high top leather shoes or boots to protect your foot.

Well Grounded:

  • Plasma cutting requires higher voltages than welding to maintain the arc-typically 110 to 400 VDC.
  • While working, work by standing on a dry rubber mat or dry plywood
    sheet big enough to cover the full area of your contact with the work or ground.

Dim the Lights

  • Arc rays produce ultraviolet and infrared rays which can burn eyes
    and skin.
  • Always wear protective clothing which can protect your skin. Eyes
    can be protected with the help of face shield or safety glasses outfitted with the correct lens shade.

Clear the air:

  • Always work in proper ventilated area or by wearing a respirator which complies with ANSI requirements.
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General Idea About Welding

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Through welding two or more pieces of metal can be joined which can act as a single piece. Welding is very important of our economy. In U.S.A nearly 50% of gross national product is related to welding in one way or another.

There are different processes of welding, out of which some processes cause sparks and others do not require extra heat. Welding can be done outdoors, indoors, underwater and in outer space. Welding work is done for different industries. They are involved in agriculture, construction and mining machinery. They are also involved in bulldozers, cranes, material handling, food-processing machinery, papermaking and printing equipment, textiles and office machinery. It is also used in transportation sectors like shipbuilding, aircraft, spacecraft, railroads, automobiles, trucks, buses, trailers and associated equipment.

Welding is also used in the primary metal industries which include steel mills, iron and steel foundries, smelting and refining plants. Another place is the electrical and electronic equipment companies. Welding in this group is done in electric generators, battery chargers to household appliances.

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Plasma cutter vs. Oxy fuel Torch

Monday, September 28th, 2009

Plasma Cutter can cut any type of electrically-conductive metal like steel, aluminum, copper, stainless steel. While Oxy fuel can cut ferrous steels which are upto 24 in thick.

Plasma cutting technique is used in metal fabrication, construction, agricultural, maintenance, automotive repair, metal art, sculpting, home, hobby and DIY applications. While oxy fuel cutting can be used in agricultural, fabrication, construction, maintenance repair, mining, automotive and hobbyists. Plasma cutting does not require preheating but it is required in oxy fuel cutting.

Stack cutting, shape cutting, gouging and piercing of metals is possible with plasma cutters. Oxy fuel can be used for heating, brazing, soldering, welding, gouging, riser cutting and bending metals.

Plasma cutting and Oxy fuel cutting can cause fires started by sparks. Cutting in and around combustible materials is a danger with both processes. High temperature arcs and flames have the potential to burn unprotected skin.

Plasma arc cutting take help of rating while choosing the machine, while Oxy fuel cutting varies by the type and style tip and fuel gas used. Five fuel gases that are used in oxygen are acetylene, propane, methylacetylene-propadiene, propylene and natural gas.

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Welding Should Be Done In A Safe Environment

Friday, September 25th, 2009

Fire, Injury Hazards

  • Arc rays produce ultraviolet and infrared rays that can burn eyes and skin. Exposed skin can be burned quickly by these rays. Welding helmets should be worn to protect the operators face and eyes when welding.
  • Safety glasses should also be worn.
  • Gloves and clothes should be flame-resistant. Always wear clothes that have tight woven material while welding. Gauntlet type leather gloves should be worn to protect the hands and wrists.
  • Do not keep matches or lighters in your pocket.
  • Always wear high-top leather shoes or boots to protect your foot.
  • Welding should not be done in areas that has flammable gases, vapors, liquids or dusty locations where explosions are possible.

Well Grounded

  • While working find a dry, non-flammable material to stand on.
  • Never use chains, wire ropes, cranes, hoists and elevators as grounding connectors.

Gas Systems

  • When using cylinders, securely chain them to a stationary, upright support or cart at all times.

Regulators

  • Remove a faulty regulator from service for repair
  • Do not repair a faulty regulator. It would be better if you send it at the manufacturer’s repair center, where it will be repaired based on manufacturer’s specifications

Hoses

  • Examine hose regularly for leaks, wear and loose connections.
  • Repair a leaky or worn hose by cutting out damaged area and splicing. Avoid using tape.
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Posted in Welders | 22 Comments »

Important Points to Consider Before Purchasing TIG Welding

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

Level of Quality needed for the Job at Hand?

  • While manufacturing highly visible consumer products, TIG Welding is the best choice because it provides better appearance. For certain jobs like nuclear work, piping and high profile consumer goods TIG welding is the preferred choice.

    • Metal Thickness

  • If you’re welding thick metal, such as ½ in., you will not consider TIG, but rather MIG or stick, as they can weld ½ in material much faster.

    • Is AC/DC Power Source Needed?

  • Aluminum and magnesium can be best welded using AC output. Steels and stainless steels can be best welded with DC output. A general rule would be: If your application is strictly TIG, get a TIG-only machine.

    • Is Duty Cycle Important?

  • In United States, duty cycle is based upon a 10 minute period of time. For example: If a machine is rated at 300 amps/60% duty cycle, it can weld at 300 amps for six minutes. For remaining four minutes, power source would be idle and cool.
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    Posted in Welders | 1 Comment »

    Features of Portable Diesel Generators

    Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

    You can fuel portable generators with gasoline, natural gas, propane or diesel. Some important features are it is cost effective, safer, require less maintenance and last for a longer period of time.

    Cost Effective:

    • Portable diesel generators are more cost effective.
    • Diesel generators are more fuel efficient
    • They consume less fuel per kilowatt of power produced.
    • Average savings of using diesel is nearly 30% to 50% more when compared to gas.

    Safety

    • Diesel generators can be kept inside buildings
    • If people use propane, natural gas it can produce vapors that are
      extremely explosive when kept in low areas like basements. But diesel generators can only create headache

    Maintenance

    • They are more reliable and rugged
    • Requires less maintenance than gas engines
    • They have longer lifespan.

    Long Life:

    • They lost longer than gas generators
    • Generators that have diesel fuel burn much cooler than
      those having gasoline fuel.

    If you’re planning to buy portable generator for emergency purpose, then you should go in for diesel generator.

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    Posted in Generators | 6 Comments »

    How to Buy The Right Welding Helmet?

    Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009
    • Before choosing a welding helmet talk to your supervisor about the type of welding work you will be doing, so that you can choose the welding helmet based on your work.
    • Find out the type of welding helmet you will require. Some welding helmets would be fine for minor welding work, those will not cost much. The basic thing to look for in a welding helmet is lens area.
    • For higher end jobs, you may require auto shade controls. The level of technology used in constructing the lens of the welding helmet greatly affects the consumer cost.
    • Always buy a well-known manufacturer’s welding helmet for your purchase.
    • Pay should be based on features and quality
    • Ask for warranty information on the welding helmet you plan to purchase. Make sure that the helmet you plan to purchase meets the safety requirements under which you work.
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    Posted in Welders | 3 Comments »

    General Information On Plasma Cutter

    Monday, September 21st, 2009
    • Plasma cutting can be performed on any type of metal – steel,
      aluminum and stainless steel while oxy fuel is limited to steel and other ferrous metals which support the oxidizing process.
    • Most of the people prefer compressed air for plasma cutting. Compressed air is available in most of the shops and so does not require fuel gas and compressed oxygen for operation.
    • Plasma cutting is much faster than oxy fuel cutting.
    • Plasma cutting really shines in some niche applications
      such as cutting expanded metal. It can cut much faster, and can easily make non-linear cuts.

    While purchasing plasma cutter do remember certain points:

    • Determine the thickness of the metal
    • Select your optimal cutting speed
    • Compare consumable cost versus consumable life
    • Test the machine and Examine cut quality
    • Check the Machine’s Working Visibility
    • Look for Portability factor
    • Determine ruggedness of the Machine
    • Find out if the Machine is easy to operate
    • Look for safety features
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    Posted in Plasma Cutters | No Comments »

    Things To Consider Before Purchasing Generators

    Friday, September 18th, 2009

    Generators can run on gasoline, diesel, petrol etc. Diesel fuel is mostly used for commercial purpose. They are cheaper to operate when compared to LPG. Standby generators can run on LPG. LPG is available in steel containers, and from tanks at certain garages. For portable generators, petrol is the preferred choice. Portable generators should not run indoors, as they can produce fumes and cause serious health problems.

    A generator motor creates heat and so it needs a cooling system to prevent overheating. Standby generators can be either air-cooled or liquid-cooled. Air cooled systems are louder and not very effective. Liquid cooled systems do not create noise but are expensive to purchase and maintain.

    In UK market, generators operate at speeds of 1500 RPM, 1800 RPM, 3000 RPM or 3600 RPM. 1500 RPM motors lasts for a longer period of time and run quieter while 3600 RPM are smaller and lighter.

    Portable generators should have large fuel tanks for the best running time. Standby generators can stop if they lose oil pressure, overheat or working for a longer period of time.

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    Diesel Generators

    Thursday, September 17th, 2009

    Diesel Generators are extremely cost effective and efficient. They have higher energy when compared to gasoline. Although it a bit more expensive than other generators, it will provide more energy output over time and ensure longer running times. Some of the main reasons why people prefer diesel generators when compared to other fuel are:

    • Quiet operation
    • Requires less maintenance
    • Rugged and durable
    • No spark plugs
    • Longer life

    Advantages of Diesel Generators:

    • Diesel Generators can handle small and large loads
    • Small loads means it can fulfill power requirements of house
    • Large loads means industrial, commercial or hospital setting
    • They are not only used as primary power source but also as standby/back power sources.
    • These can be built to your exact specifications
    • Diesel Generators are extremely versatile and cost effective power solution.
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    Posted in Generators | 17 Comments »

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