Victor Enterprise FP-130, FP-200 manual Preparation for Welding, Advantages of Gasless Welding

tive pole. When the wire is fed and touches the workpiece, an electric arc is produced. The arc melts the wire that is deposited on the workpiece.

MIG welding uses a steel coppered wire as an electrode and an inert gas (CO2, CO2/Argon mix or pure Argon) for protection of the weld pool.

The wire can be one of three types:

1.Solid wire - ALWAYS used with a protective gas.

2.Cored wire - Has a core of mineral powders to enhance its characteristics and is used with gas.

3.Gasless cored-wire - Has a core of mineral powders that, when burning, release the protective gas for the arc. ALWAYS used without gas.

The welding unit consists of a DC power source, a wire-feeder, a torch, a ground clamp and a pressure regula- tor. Each power source has a 4-position switch used to regulate the welding current, a potentiometer regulating the wire speed, a potentiometer with a switch and a timer to set the spot welding time (for those models where this feature is provided). Welding current and wire speed are set considering the thickness of the material to be welded. The thicker the material, the higher welding current and the higher the wire speed. The wire speed can be fine tuned during welding for better results.

IMPORTANT ONLY experienced personnel should use the power sources.

GASLESS WELDING

In gasless welding the torch is connected to the negative pole and the ground cable to the positive pole. In gas welding, the shielding gas is used to protect the weld pool from oxidation and porosity. In gasless welding, this protection is given by a special wire called “flux cored wire.” This technique simplifies the use of these machines.

ADVANTAGES OF GASLESS WELDING

1.There is no need for gas cylinders.

2.Welding outdoors is easier because there are fewer chances that wind blows away the shielding gas.

3.Welding time is about 50% less compared to the normal stick electrode welding.

4.The learning time for the operator is very short.

5.Minimum waste of welding material.

6.Most important, this process is faster and more efficient.

7.Less heat, less distortion.

8.Possible to weld thin materials.

PREPARATION FOR WELDING

Cylinders are highly pressurized. Handle with care. Serious accidents can result from improper handling or misuse of compressed gas cylinders. DO NOT drop the cylinder, knock it over, expose it to excessive heat, flames or sparks. DO NOT strike it against other cylinders. Contact your gas supplier for more information about the use and handling of cylin- ders.

DO NOT use the cylinder if you find oil, grease or damaged parts. Inform your gas supplier of this condition immediately.

1.Connect the FP-160 welding machine to a 230V, 60 Hz line. Connect the FP-120 or FP-130 to a 120V, 20 AMP, 60 Hz line.

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