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Meeting Mining Engine Drive Safety Requirements

More stringent requirements for engine-driven welders on mining sites are now in place. Mandatory requirements include battery isolator switches and engine stop switches. Lincoln Electric now offers these features as factory-fitted standard items on the Vantage® engine drive range – the only supplier to do so in the Australasian region – and more features that improve machine longevity at mine sites.

The whole range of Vantage® engine drives - Vantage® 400, 575 and Air Vantage® 500 -are supplied in stainless steel, enhancing the longevity in harsh mine site environments.

All of these machines also feature PCB's that are tray mounted and submerged in a epoxy resin, protecting the components from conductive dust of iron ore mines, and the cable harnesses are restrained to prevent them from shaking loose.

Electrical connections are also sealed with electrical insulating compound to prevent water ingress, while the stator and rotor assemblies are dipped in varnish and then a further protective coating is applied.

Lincoln also provides factory-fitting of roll frame and spill trays, which is another mining standard requirement. Lincoln engine drives are backed by a full 3-year, parts and labour warranty, supported by a nation-wide, factory-trained field service network. All this makes Lincoln Electric® engine drives the number one choice in mining.

More information on Vantage® 400 >
More information on Vantage® 575 >
More information on Air Vantage® 500 >

Lincoln Electric’s Automated Welding Robot Featured in Iron Man 2

A Lincoln Electric automated welding robot cell, featuring a Lincoln Electric Power Wave® i400 welding power source and a FANUC®ARC Mate® 100iC robotic arm, will co-star in the movie sequel, Iron Man 2.

Lincoln Electric's welding equipment and consumables were used by actor Robert Downey Jr.’s character, engineering genius Tony Stark, to fabricate his superhero suit in the film. "Being involved with the film was truly an incredible experience," said Brian Simons, robotic programmer of the Automation Application Group at Lincoln Automation. "Responding to immediate client needs at Lincoln prepared me to react on the studio's set at a moment's notice. This was great exposure for Lincoln to demonstrate the level of technology involved in welding today."

Lincoln Electric MIG, TIG and stick welding equipment was also featured in the original film, Iron Man.

As a takeaway, Downey and director Jon Favreau autographed the Power Wave® i400 and the robotic arm used on the Iron Man 2 movie set, which is now on display in the lobby at the Lincoln Electric Automation Division in Cleveland.

Visit the official site for Iron Man 2 >>

Photo Credit: Industrial Light & Magic / Marvel Iron Man in "Iron Man 2." © 2010 MVLFFLLC. TM & © 2010 Marvel Entertainment, LLC & subs. All Rights Reserved.

Design File: Design Welded Lap Joints

Superficially, a lap joint looks very simple, and it may seem odd that this plain configuration of material would need to be carefully considered. The complication stems from the fact that loads do not instantaneously transfer from one member to another.

Find out more >>

e-Learning: An introduction to Welding Processes

Thinking about welding as a career option, or like a general overview of welding and the types of processes? View the Lincoln Electric e-learning website to see the interactive, Welding Connects Your World.

View here >>

Ask the Experts: What does the X-factor mean?

The Bruscato X-factor is a way to measure temper embrittlement resistance in applications where the weld metal deposit may be exposed to high temperatures over a long period of time. Certain residual elements (Phosphorus, Tin, Antimony, and Arsenic) migrate to grain boundaries over time in these high temperature conditions, causing a loss of toughness. This is known as temper embrittlement.

The X-factor is a numerical value that is calculated based on levels of residual elements in the weld deposit – lower x-factors represent lower levels of these tramp or trace elements and higher resistance to temper embrittlement. Many customer specifications in the pressure-vessel and petrochemical industries call for E8018-B2 or E9018-B3 electrodes with an X-factor of less than 15.

Do you have a question? Why not ask the expert.

Do you need some help with a specific process, welding application or choosing the right consumable? As the world’s largest manufacturer of welding and cutting equipment with the largest R&D facility dedicated to welding technology, we can assist you in finding comprehensive solutions to your welding requirements. Click here to ask the expert >>