Knowledge is power

ARCON Welding is pleased to share information and knowledge with our customers, potential customers and our distributors. Information is released as it is made available, and features ARCON's new products, Workhorse welders used in various applications, distributor news, and technical information to include questions and answers. This publication is designed to offer a wide array of knowledge and topics, some of which we hope you will find useful. Previous newsletters are available online.

WHAT'S NEW AT ARCON WELDING

ARCON wishes all our readers and customers a Happy New Year! Visit ARCON Welding at WELDMEX, Booth 607, in the World Trade Center in Mexico City on February 3-5, 2004.

For details, visit http://www.arconweld.com/company/tradeshow.htm or http://www.weldmex.com.

ARCON'S FEATURED WELDER

The Ironhorse 300
is the only SCR-type Inverter power source built for subway and the commuter rail industry using 500-800 Volt DC primary power. Since its introduction, the Ironhorse has become the welder of choice for mass transit providers in major cities using the "third rail" or overhead catanary input power. This is convenient for the users and eliminates the need for power generation for rail maintenance and repair. It is a remarkable Stick/TIG welding machine that is designed to be brutally rugged, exceptionally dependable and provides great welding characteristics using easy-to-use controls. This machine offers ARCON's exclusive Constant Power circuitry that makes welding much easier because good welding is not dependent on a steady hand. These portable machines are so tough that they have survived drops of 25 feet and have functioned as a jack-stand under a rail car. The standard Workhorse case is made from a very strong material using reinforced fiberglass. An empty Workhorse case contributes over 17 pounds to the total 80 pound machine weight.

The Ironhorse 300S uses ARCON's time-proven SCR-type inverter circuitry that continues to amaze even the most experienced Welding Engineers and Maintenance Managers. The slightly slower SCR components allow time for protective circuits to react to most over-voltage spikes and fluctuating input voltage. The welder is thermally protected from all imaginable abnormal conditions using ARCON's unique "5-Zones of Protection" circuitry.

The Ironhorse 300S provides welding current from 30 to 400 Amps in two current ranges for stick welding, TIG welding and carbon arc gouging. ARCON's standard carbon arc gouging protection circuitry eliminates harmful currents caused during arc gouging. The thermostatically controlled fan feature greatly reduces the intake of dust into the welder. The machine has Smart Hot Start circuitry that brings the puddle temperature up quickly for good initial penetration and also prevents the puddle from overheating and burning through. The Arc Force control feature allows the operator to adjust the current surge, which results when a drop shorts the arc. When TIG welding, the constant power circuitry of this machine makes "burn through" almost impossible when the arc length increases while welding thin material. TIG welding is much easier when you can forget about holding an exact constant arc length. Ask your distributor for a demonstration today. No other U.S. market machine compares to the Ironhorse 300S!

MEET OUR DISTRIBUTORS

George Bell and his son Mike visited Gases and Arc Supply in Denver, CO in November. They were met by owner, Bob Backowies, and discussed the success of the Workhorse line in the Denver area. Gases and Arc Supply have outgrown their existing building and hope to be in their new building early in 2004. Bob and his staff shared ideas and service suggestions with Mike, who is ARCON's warranty contact. Many ideas and suggestions are being considered. ARCON appreciates input from customers, distributors and service centers. Gases and Arc Supply provide Denver and the surrounding area with welding gases, supplies and equipment, and maintain a supply of new Workhorse welders in their inventory. Gases and Arc Supply maintains a large inventory, provides in-house service and offers rental equipment for the convenience of their customers. Customers in the Denver area can visit Gases and Arc Supply in Denver for Workhorse products at 1101 E 64TH Avenue, Denver, CO 80229-7209 or Phone: (303) 477-8037.

APPLICATIONS AND EQUIPMENT

Spool Guns are very popular in many industries today, and our customers often inquire about using the MIGweld 300MS with a Spool Gun. Workhorse customers have the option to use spool guns or automatic wire feeds for MIG welding. The WC-24 Weld controller and the Spoolmatic 30A gun by Miller will simply plug into the MIGweld 300MS without any modifications, as will the ProFax AEC 200-4D Spool Gun, which does not require a controller. While both Spool Guns work well, customers like the fact that the ProFax unit has an integrated controller. Customers need to be sure that the ProFax AEC 200-4D Spool Gun's remote cable uses the same pin configuration as the Miller Spoolmatic 30A/WC-24 unit.

ASK THE TECH

Question:
Your welders all feature a "built-in circuit breaker". Why don't other inverter welders have protective circuit breakers?

Answer:
Other inverter welders manufactured in the U.S. use IGBT semiconductors with a faster inverter frequency. But this faster inverter frequency causes the IGBT semiconductor to blow before any fuse or circuit breaker has had time to trip. IGBT semiconductors are also very sensitive to internal voltage and current surges, and are very costly and labor intensive to replace. This is one of the main reasons Arcon Welding keeps the time-proven technology of the SCR inverter, and is able to provide customers with a protective circuit breaker. ARCON Welding can provide engineering data and resources on this topic if requested.
 
An invitation to be placed on, or removed from ARCON Welding's mailing list:
Please encourage others to send us their e-mail address to be placed on our mailing list. If you do not wish to receive this publication, please e-mail a request to have your name removed to george@arconweld.com for prompt action. Thank you for your interest in Workhorse products.

Issue 104 January 2004
Editor: George Bell
george@arconweld.com