African Fusion June 2019

Gamma quality large view helmet technology

larity and excellent surface finish on non-ferrousmetals suchas aluminium and stainless steel. At the same time, the systems cut faster and use power more efficiently thanprevious genera- tion Hypertherm systems. “Hypertherm is constantlyworking to advance the capability of our prod- ucts by devoting extensive resources to research and development. By listening and incorporating feedback from our partners and customers, we are able to deliver products such as our X-Definition Plasma and these newtorch sleeves that help customers increase the efficiency of their cutting operations,” says Phil Parker, product manager for Hypertherm’s heavy industrial plasma products. www.hypertherm.com/plasmaprecisely “It is important to remember that hazardous materials only present a health hazardwhen they come into con- tact with your body,” says John Frost, product manager for personal protec- tion equipment at Kemppi Oy. T he latest in personal protec- tion for welders, the Gam- ma product family has been available from Kemppi Safety Products dealers from the 1 st of May this year. Offering the best protection for the eyes, face and respiratory system, Gamma also integrates work lights for clear vision and safety in low light working conditions. It reduces work fatigue, increases comfort, and protects from welding related health hazards. Gammamodels nowset the global benchmark for welder safety and protection. Healthhazards inweldingworkshops are amajor concern for both employers and employees. Intense light and heat from the welding and cutting arcs are obvious known hazards, but not so well known is the contamination of the sur- rounding air that people breathe in the facility of welding. Welding and cutting fumes are com- posed of elements dangerous to human health and are not necessarily visible to the naked eye. Typically, welders can breathe 4 000 litres of air per eight-hour shift, and if the respiratory system is unprotected, the contaminated air pres- ents serious health risks, through both long and short-term exposure.

The Gamma product family of welding helmets from Kemppi Safety Products is now setting the global benchmark for welder safety and protection.

“Our newGamma product series is at its own level in terms of overall protec- tion,” he says. “When used together with the new powered filter unit, Gamma meets the highest European Total Inward Leakage (TIL) classification for respiratory performance, class TH3. This means that it protects users from99.8% of airborne fumes and particulate.” Gamma products are designed by weld- ingprofessionals forweldingprofession- als. Model options range from standard face and eye protection to advanced high-class respiratory solutions – and a model with integrated LEDwork lights is also available. The helmets can be used in all arc-based processes, including welding, cutting and gouging, as well as in grinding and inspection work. Powered from either a battery pow- ered filter pack or an airline breathing source, the Gamma GTH3 welder respi- rators work on the ‘positive air pressure’ principle. This means that positive air pressure excludes dangerous welding fumes, supplying cleanand freshbreath- ing air into the breathing zone, making it safe, cool, and comfortable throughout the working day. Meeting the highest filtration per- formance for respiratory protection, the belt mounted, battery powered PFU 210e filter pack offers total freedom of movement around the worksite, and the supplied air models can be connect- ed to a known breathing air system to meet the local breathing air standards. Kemppi’s Gamma welding helmets provide excellent optical quality and large view areas. LiFE+Color auto-dark- ening filter technology enables greater clarity of vision, whilst lifting the weld- ing visor reveals a 198 cm 2 clear impact Cool, comfortable, and safe breathing environment

protection shield, providing superb worksite views. These combined fea- tures improve work accuracy, increase safety, reduce eye strain, and lower work-based fatigue. Gamma helmets feature auto-dark- ening welding filters (ADF) and include the ‘Remote-RC’ feature, making adjust- ment of the ADF extremely easy whilst wearing the helmet. The remote control buttons are conveniently located on the inside upper surface of the helmet shell, so protected from everyday knocks and damage. John Frost from Kemppi Oy says that Kemppi’s primary focus in the Gamma project is the protection the welder’s health and improvements to their work based functions. “Kemppi is a pioneering companywithin thewelding industry. It is our role to develop solu- tions that help clients to win business,” he says. Headquartered in Lahti, Finland, Kemppi employs over 800 welding ex- perts in 17 countries and has revenues of more than €150-million. “Our offering includes welding solutions using intelli- gent equipment, welding management software and expert services for both demanding industrial applications and ready-to-weld needs. Local expertise is also available via our global partner net- work, which covers over 60 countries,” says Frost. “Gamma models are designed en- tirely from the user’s perspective,” he adds. “They include unique usability features such as Axis regulation and GapView functions for fast and conve- nient adjustment of the viewing area for different working positions. For low light conditions the XFA models integrate 70 lumen LED work lights, reaching new levels of safety and comfort.” www.kemppi.com

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June 2019

AFRICAN FUSION