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How Investing in Advanced Welding Machine Reduces Costs
When assessing the costs of welding procedures, many companies overlook the importance of the power source technology. The right technology can reduce costs associated with gas usage, wire selection, and labor, which significantly impacts profitability. This article will examine how transitioning to an advanced welding power source, specifically the OTC DAIHEN Welbee II, can decrease hidden costs in welding processes.
AREAS RELATED TO GAS CONSUMPTION
1 - Arc Stability
The more stable the arc, the faster the welder can work, leading to reduced overall gas consumption. Less welding time translates to lower gas usage. The OTC DAIHEN Welbee II welding power source provides a stable arc at higher currents and deposition rates compared to other devices on the market.
2 - Gas Type
Some manufacturers switch to more expensive gas with a high argon content or special additives that allow for increased deposition through spray transfer or pulse spray. However, the need for costly gases can be avoided by choosing the right technology. The advanced welding machine OTC DAIHEN Welbee II, equipped with additional power and the advanced WAVE PULSE technology, enables greater heat load and penetration required for welding demanding aluminum and stainless steel with a standard argon/CO2 gas mixture. This results in cost savings as there is no need for expensive helium or specialty gases.
3 - Torch Capabilities
One area where savings are possible is the gas flow rate through the torch. OTC DAIHEN torches feature a unique gas barrier that ensures a consistent gas flow, allowing the welder to achieve adequate coverage at a lower flow rate, thereby reducing overall gas consumption.
4 - Cylinder Inventory
By reducing overall gas consumption and optimizing the types of gases needed, costs associated with gas cylinder rental and storage are also reduced.
FINDING SAVINGS IN WIRE SELECTION
The greatest savings in wire can be found in the choice of wire type. Expensive metal or flux-cored wires are often used as they offer a wider range of operating parameters and are more user-friendly. However, the OTC DAIHEN Welbee II welding machine, with its technology, provides the advantages of these more expensive wires even with standard choices. Additionally, the Welbee II is known for minimal spatter, resulting in minimal wire consumption. With the Welbee II, a welder can achieve a deposition rate of nearly 98%, meaning they lay down 98% of what comes off the wire spool, as emphasized by Larry Barley, Research and Development Engineer at OTC DAIHEN.
REDUCING POST-WELDING COSTS
One of the fastest ways to reduce costs in post-welding activities is by minimizing spatter, which is a significant advantage of Welbee II machines, especially the L series. With less spatter, the material cools faster, reducing the likelihood of it adhering to the workpiece. This significantly decreases labor costs associated with grinding or preparing the material for the next process. By reducing the time spent on cleaning the weld, the welder can dedicate more time to value-adding activities, namely welding.