|
Knowledge
is power. ARCON Welding is pleased to share information
and knowledge with our customers, potential customers and our distributors.
This Bi-monthly publication 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.
WHAT’S
NEW AT ARCON WELDING?
Visit Booth 6073 to see the new STUDMATIC 400 and 800 November
16-19, 2003 at Fabtech International in Chicago. These add-on units
will (temporarily) convert your normal Stick/TIG/MIG machine to
a stud welder for up to 400 or 800 Amps depending on the size of
your welder. We will also present our new line of Low Open Circuit
Voltage (LOCV) welding machines which meets the OSHA requirements
for increased safety in the work place. Email Maggie Porter at maggie@arconweld.com
if you’d like to receive free Show passes.
ARCON would like to remind Workhorse Distributors that
there was a small price increase in October on certain models. Distributors
should contact Maggie Porter if they have not received the October
1, 2003 Price List.
ARCON’S
FEATURED WELDER
The Workhorse Stickweld 300S was ARCON's
very first power supply, and operated on Europe's 400 Volt AC primary
power. Since then, it has been ARCON's best seller, and is now offered
in 240V, switchable 240/480V, 400V, 480V and 575V models. 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. Customers using
the Workhorse 300S include those in the coal mining industry,
offshore petroleum industry, shipbuilding industry, repair and rental
industries and the paper industry. These portable machines are so
tough that they have worked after being dropped 25 feet from a ship
and being used as a jackstand under a coal car. The standard Workhorse
case is made from a very strong material using reinforced fibergalss.
An empty Workhorse case contributes over 17 pounds to the total
80 pound machine weight.
The
Stickweld 300S uses ARCON's time-proven SCR type inverter
circuitry that continues to amaze even the most experienced Welding
Engineers and Maintenance Managers. The un-noticeably slower SCR
components allow time to provide protection from 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 300S provides welding current from 10 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 designed circuitry of this machine makes "burn through"
almost impossible when increasing the arc length or 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 machine in the U.S. market compares to the Workhorse
300S!
MEET OUR DISTRIBUTORS
Earlier this month, George Bell from ARCON visited Strate Welding
Supply Company in Jacksonville Florida. Bill Strate and Jim Tharp
have exceptional application knowledge and experience in the shipbuilding
industry. ARCON has solicited Bill Strate's knowledge and recommendations
for the last several years. Strate Welding Supply Company provides
equipment, consumables, repair service and on-site training in Florida,
Georgia, and western New York. Strate Welding Supply Co. was founded
in 1949 by Russell and Gordon Strate. The stores in Jacksonville
and Gainesville, FL have been in operation since 1974. Strate Welding
Supply Company has been an active Stocking Workhorse Distributor
for several years. Strate always has an adequate supply of Workhorse
machines in stock for their customer's convenience. Businesses in
the Jacksonville area can contact Bill Strate or Jim Tharp at Strate
Welding Supply Company Inc., 29 South Mcduff Avenue, Jacksonville,
FL (904) 388-2611.
APPLICATIONS
AND EQUIPMENT
ARCON receives many requests for dual voltage welders. There are
almost always tradeoffs for operator conveniences. The old Powcon
Welder was the first to offer advanced auto voltage sensing technology.
Since that time, auto-voltage users have experienced everything
from decreased output to toasted power supplies. Users were not
aware that the power source couldn't be left on when the generator
was turned off and then restarted.
ARCON Welding decided it would be better to simplify switching between
input voltages, even when using generators, without decreasing the
machines potential output. The Workhorse Dual Voltage power source
incorporate a single recessed switch in the back of the case. To
change between 240 and 480 Volts AC, the operator simply uses a
common (flat blade) screwdriver to change the input voltage setting
without opening the case! One-quarter turn will initiate the change.
When in the 240 Volt setting, the slot should be horizontal. When
in the 480 Volt setting, the slot is vertical. To change from 240V
to 480V, turn the switch clockwise. To change from 480V to 240V,
turn the switch counterclockwise. While the dual-voltage option
increases the machines price, it doesn't decrease output and allows
generator use without worry.
ASK
THE TECH
Question: "How is the Workhorse machine able
to survive spikes and fluctuating input voltage better than older
inverter type welders"?
Answer:
The auxiliary transformer in older designs was designed for 50/60
Hz. These welders were often connected to generators at remote work
sites. When a generator is overloaded, its frequency drops, and
may stay at a reduced frequency as low as 40 Hz. This causes the
transformer designed for 50 Hz to saturate, and this may cause damage
to the machine from operating at temperatures that are higher than
normal. The Workhorse auxiliary transformer is designed to survive
abnormal conditions and higher temperatures without being destroyed,
and ARCON includes MOVs and a circuit breaker to further protect
against short spikes. If desired, the Warhorse option has been made
available for all Workhorse power sources, to increase the surge
protection when connected to "dirty" power sources and
from powerful voltage spikes produced by generators and power producing
plants.
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 September 2003
Editor: George Bell
george@arconweld.com
|
