Improve Welding Productivity, Safety and Quality on Construction Jobsites

Miller Electric Mfg. LLC (Appleton, WI) enhanced their ArcReach® technology with two industry-exclusive capabilities that provide even more time savings to help welding operations lower labor costs and improve productivity and safety on construction jobsites. “These innovations are game-changing and can save up to two hours per welder per day to improve jobsite productivity and efficiency, lower labor costs and meet critical project deadlines,” said Joe Ryan, the infrastructure segment manager at Miller Electric. “ArcReach technology lets operators make adjustments at the point of the weld using the wire feeder or remote without a control cable, which can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars every day in downtime. These new technologies add even more capabilities that will save significant time and improve operator safety.”

Cable Length Compensation (CLC™) technology makes proper setup of welding parameters faster and easier by automatically compensating for voltage drops in the weld cable. This ensures that the voltage welding operators set is the voltage they get at the weld, even up to hundreds of feet from the power source. With traditional machines, the welding operator must manually make adjustments for the voltage drop that occurs with the resistance in weld cables by setting the voltage higher than necessary at the power source to ensure they get the voltage they want at the feeder or remote. CLC technology eliminates the need to do this manually, saving time and providing greater accuracy in welding parameters. Adjust While Welding (AWW™) technology allows for precise adjustments and parameter changes at the wire feeder or remote without stopping the arc, so operators can make changes during welding to compensate for heat buildup, changes in weld position or variations in part fit-up. This saves time by eliminating the need to walk back to the power source to make changes and contributes to improved weld quality, since each stop and start of the arc introduces the potential for discontinuities or quality issues.

These expanded capabilities are available by pairing enhanced ArcReach accessories with the new XMT 350 FieldPro™ lineup that includes a polarity-reversing model. XMT 350 FieldPro power sources are compatible with all ArcReach accessories, including multiple feeder and remote options to help efficiently meet evolving project needs on the jobsite. These accessories provide maximum flexibility, delivering remote control capabilities for stick, MIG, TIG and flux-cored welding. The ArcReach Smart Feeder also offers pulsed MIG and Regulated Metal Deposition (RMD®) welding processes. The power sources also have a new case design for enhanced durability and reliable operation, even in the harshest jobsite environments. The XMT 350 FieldPro power source delivers improved jobsite productivity and efficiency as well as exceptional arc performance for welding applications in structural steel, shipbuilding, bridge and commercial building construction.

The XMT 350 FieldPro with Polarity Reversing unit eliminates the need to walk back to the power source to switch weld cables. The welding operator selects the welding process with the push of a button and the proper polarity is automatically selected by the system based on the welding process. This saves significant time in applications that require switching between weld processes for different weld passes. This model is designed to help maximize productivity and decrease rework for contractors in process pipe welding for refineries, power plants, petrochemical, HVAC and water pipe applications. With the complete control at the weld joint provided by ArcReach technology, welding operators reduce the amount of time spent making trips back and forth to the power source to make changes. This not only significantly increases productivity, it also helps improve operator safety on the jobsite, because limiting movement limits exposure to slip, trip and fall hazards that are among the most common causes of jobsite injuries.

ArcReach products also provide maximum fleet compatibility and greater flexibility, allowing shops to fully utilize their existing accessories and power sources until they are ready to replace or upgrade. ArcReach SuitCase® feeders are extremely versatile and function as standard equipment (without remote control capabilities) when paired with standard power sources/engine-driven welders. They provide remote control functionality – without CLC or AWW – when paired with previous-generation ArcReach machines or ArcReach-capable engine-driven welders. They also deliver the full range of benefits when paired with XMT 350 FieldPro welders. ArcReach accessories are also compatible with a wide variety of Miller engine-driven welder/generators so that fabricators can expand use of the technology with their existing fleet.

Miller also offers their versatile Fusion 160 welder/generator that is ideal for outdoor work at construction jobsites, but also provides the ability to weld safely indoors without starting the gas engine thanks to industry-exclusive PowerShift technology. Weighing just 222 lb, this portable machine is up to 70 lb lighter than other similarly-sized welder/generators, making it easy to take the machine where the work is and improve safety and efficiency. The Fusion 160 delivers a smooth, stable stick arc that makes it easier for operators of all skill levels to produce better welds that meet specifications and avoid the time and expense of rework. A clean arc also produces less spatter, resulting in less time spent on cleanup. The machine’s welder delivers up to 160 amps of stick welding power, and the generator produces up to 6,500 watts of reliable power for electric tools, which is ideal for outdoor work. For indoor jobs or noise-sensitive environments, the machine uses PowerShift technology that allows it to be safely plugged into 120/240 volt utility power. The multi-voltage plug (MVP™) makes it easy to connect the machine, with no tools required to switch between either type of current.

https://youtu.be/f-bTYXtXviU

Miller also offers the portable Dynasty 280 DX with CV, a multiprocess welder capable of AC/DC TIG, MIG and stick welding that weighs only 55 lb and is suitable for the shop or jobsite in construction, heavy fabrication and other applications. Welding operators can TIG weld 0.012 in to 3/8 in aluminum and 0.004 in to 3/8 in steel. The machine offers superior arc performance and the ability to TIG weld with AC waveforms, including advanced squarewave, soft squarewave, sine wave and triangular wave. With multiprocess versatility, the CV output of the machine delivers MIG welding capabilities when paired with a SuitCase® X-TREME™ voltage-sensing feeder. The feeder is powered off the arc voltage of the power source and can run both solid and flux-cored wires.

The Dynasty 280 DX with CV delivers up to 280 amps for welding and includes Auto-Line™ technology that allows for any input voltage hookup from 208 volts to 575 volts with no manual linking. This provides convenience for any job setting and is ideal for applications where there is dirty or unreliable power. The machine also uses high frequency (HF) on starts only to eliminate HF interference issues during welding. Blue Lightning™ high-frequency arc starter technology provides non-contact arc initiation for more consistent arc starts and greater reliability compared to traditional HF arc starters. Operators can make precision adjustments using the machine’s all-digital controls for greater quality control and repeatability. The machine also includes Pro-Set™ technology that eliminates the guesswork when setting weld parameters. Operators can simply select the feature and adjust until Pro-Set appears in the display.

Miller Electric Manufacturing LLC, 1635 West Spencer Street, PO Box 1079, Appleton, WI 54912-1079, 920-734-9821, www.millerwelds.com.