African Fusion March 2017

Welding screens’ edge on safety

material allowed only 15.5 % light transmittance. ApexWelding andSafety Screens are impervious to burning, which is of par- ticular importance should the material come into contact with welding spatter. Available in several configurations to suit individual applications, themost popular version is the free-standing frame that facilitates both easy handling and portability. The screens’ angled feet allow optimum utilisation of the floor space as the screens can be butted together at 90 degree angles. www.apexstrip.co.za

T he patented Balledge® design used on ApexWelding and Safety Screens is a major advantage as this aids access into cordonedoffareas for workerswith- out snagging or scratching, increasing safety in the workplace. Wim Dessing, managing director of Apex Strip Curtains, explains that the reinforced edge on the individual strips allows the strips to part easily, facilitat- ing easy access for both personnel and equipment. Locallymanufactured ApexWelding and Safety Screens have contributed significantly to improved safety inmany manufacturing facilities in southern Africa. The innovative PVC screening material is used to cordon off welding and grinding bays. Made from specially formulated material, which incorporates a heavy duty ultra violet light absorber, the Apex Welding and Safety Screens give end users assurance that dangerous UV radiation is safely contained in the curtained off area. This protectsworkers in close vicinity to welding and grinding activities. I n January 2017, Castolin Eutectic launched three next-generation MMA and manual TIG welding machines: the ACCUmax, a newportable power source running on high capacity lithium-ion batteries; the POWERmax 4.0, a 150 A machine; and the POWERmax 1800, an alternative 180 A constant current power source. Cable-less mobile welding on top of mountains, in difficult-to-access areas, in farming land or construction sites is now possible owing to AccuMax, the lightweight small MMAweldingmachine that does not require mains electricity. With a fully charged battery, welding jobs canbeautonomouslyperformed for up to six electrodes of 3.25mmdiameter and up to 18 electrodes of 2.5 mm in diameter. ACCUmax is also suitable for weld- ing in electrically hazardous areas, such as in-situ boiler welding, container construction and shipbuilding. The fast- chargingmodeallows thebattery to fully charge in 30 minutes, while the normal charge for maximised equipment au- tonomy needs 45minutes. In the case of long duration welding repairs, a 2.0 kW

Extensive tests conducted by the SABS proved the Apex Welding and Safety Screen material is superior to conventional material used for these products. Tested for ultra-violet transmittance, the conventional material gave readings of 0,005%, 0,008%and 5.0%as opposed to the Apex readings of 0,005%, 0,001% and 0,005%. When tested for total vis- ible light transmittance, the tests were conclusive – the conventional material allowed 78 % through while the Apex

Locally manufactured Apex Welding and Safety Screens have contributed significantly to improved safety in many manufacturing facilities in southern Africa.

Castolin Eutectic launches portable machines generator is enough to power the unit, which avoids the need for expensive generator investments. With reduced weight and compact

size for versatile on-site handling, PowerMax 4.0 makes welding easier via an innovative resonance principle: the quick reacting characteristic curve of the unit means welding performance is improved evenwith demandingmanual electrodes. The digital resonance in- verter ensures an extremely stable arc, as well as reduced spatter formation. In addition, by adapting the power consumption to thenetwork voltage, the losses due to inductive and capacitive reactance e ects are reduced and the energy-efficiency improved. Power factor correction enables energy savings and the use of extended mains cables of up to approximately 100 m, as well as a more flexible input voltage range. With AccuMax and the new Power­ Max, welding has entered the smart 4.0 era. Castolin was founded in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1906 by Jean-PierreWas- serman, whodevelopedaway of brazing

AccuMax is a small, lightweight MMA welding machine that does not require mains electricity. cast iron at low temperatures. Eutectic Welding Alloys was formed in the 1940s and over the years, Castolin Eutectic became a worldwide leader in welding, brazing and thermal spray technologies, offering maintenance, repair and wear protection solutions. Castolin Eutectic became part of the Messer Group in 2005 and, in South Africa, its products and services are available through Messer Eutectic SA. www.messer-cs.co.za

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March 2017

AFRICAN FUSION