Polarity Reversing Saves Pipe Welding Time and Money on the Jobsite

Miller Electric Mfg. LLC (Appleton, WI) has introduced their new XMT 350 FieldPro system with Polarity Reversing that eliminates the need to manually swap leads between welding processes, saving time and money and improving safety on the jobsite. “The more welders have to walk on the jobsite to make changes with outdated welding equipment, the more money it costs,” says Ken Stanzel, a product manager at Miller Electric. “This system eliminates the need to make these changes manually, making it ideal for any welding operation that swaps leads or cables to change welding processes.” With the push of a button on the interface, Quick-Select technology automatically selects the correct polarity, lead outputs and weld parameters to prevent operators from inadvertently welding in the wrong polarity and reduce the risk of weld rework that results from incorrect cable connection. Quick process changeover also eliminates the setup time spent switching cables and gas hoses.

“There is no guessing and no need to check. Welders get exactly the results they want,” adds Stanzel. “The interface is simplified and automatic, eliminating confusion and making it easy to train welders.” The system’s optimized stick and TIG arc performance is specifically designed for open root pipe welding – including process pipe and modular assembly applications – to help improve weld quality. Arc starts maintain the root opening and prepared edge, while stops limit arc marks outside the heat-affected zone. The XMT 350 FieldPro system with Polarity Reversing also includes ArcReach® welding technology that gives welders complete control at the wire feeder or remote, even hundreds of feet from the power source. This minimizes the non-value-added time spent walking to and from the power source to make parameter adjustments and maximizes arc-on time, weld quality and jobsite safety.

XMT 350 FieldPro power sources are compatible with all ArcReach accessories, which include 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.

Miller Electric has also introduced their new Trailblazer 325 Diesel welder/generator for improved productivity and reduced fuel costs and noise on the jobsite. No other compact machine in the 300-amp class provides more welding or auxiliary power with better fuel efficiency and less noise. The Trailblazer 325 Diesel welder/generator is designed for optimal engine life and delivers exceptional fuel efficiency, and it complies with jobsite restrictions that prohibit the use of gas-fueled equipment. Adding a diesel model to the Trailblazer lineup creates greater convenience for operations that use diesel-powered heavy equipment on the jobsite, since the same fuel can be used. Auto-Speed™ technology matches engine speed to load requirements, automatically adjusting engine speed to one of five rpm levels to save fuel. The machine saves up to 68 percent in fuel costs compared to competitive units when combining the benefits of Auto-Speed technology and Excel™ power.

Jobsite noise is also greatly reduced: it would take eight Trailblazer 325 Diesel machines to equal the same sound output as one competitive machine while welding at 135 amps or less. With the Trailblazer 325 Diesel welder/generator, operators can weld up to 135 amps while the engine remains at idle (1,800 rpm). With optional Excel power, operators can run jobsite tools like grinders and lights at quieter, fuel-saving engine speeds. Unlike competitive machines that provide auxiliary power only at 3,600 rpm (max), Excel power delivers a full 2,400 watts of 120V inverter-based, pure sine wave power at just 2,400 rpm. This welder/generator also delivers superior arc quality. Dynamic DIG technology offers a more flexible arc that can be tailored to meet the needs of any application, material, part fit-up or welder technique.

Miller Electric also released their new Deltaweld 350 MIG welding power source and Intellx series wire feeders for a wide range of general manufacturing applications. Providing ease of use for welders of all skill levels, the Deltaweld 350 and Intellx feeders offer a simplified system and now bring pulsed MIG welding to more welding operations. “This offers the simplest interface on the market for pulsed MIG welding for welders of all skill levels. The Deltaweld 350 and Intellx Pro feeder are designed for very simple setup and use, so operators can be up and welding in less time,” notes Mike Vandenberg, a product manager at Miller Electric. The system is available as an integrated package: the power source, feeder, cart and all necessary components ship as one complete package so that users can simply open the box, hook the machine up to primary power and begin welding in a few steps.

The Deltaweld 350 delivers 350 amps at 60 percent duty cycle and replaces the Deltaweld 302 MIG welder. The new power source is available in two models: one with new ArcConnect technology that links the Deltaweld to the new Intellx feeders, and a second model with ArcConnect and a 14-pin connector that allows the power source to be used with existing feeders. Two new feeder options – the Intellx and Intellx Pro feeders – offer flexibility for a range of applications. The Intellx feeder model offers basic voltage and wire speed control and new Arc Control technology, allowing welders to change puddle fluidity for different applications. Intellx Pro feeders provide pulsed welding capabilities, delivering a more forgiving arc and wider operating window for welders of all skill levels. EZ-Set technology automatically sets parameters based on material thickness when changing wire feed speed.

Miller Electric has also introduced their new MDX Series MIG guns with operator comfort in mind. These MIG guns feature a durable and ergonomic handle with a rubber over-molding for improved grip, while the addition of a ball and socket handle swivel reduces fatigue. AccuLock Series consumables add to the performance of the gun, providing a flawless wire feed path. The front-loading liner locks in place (no need for set screws) and aligns concentrically with both the contact tip and power pin to optimize wire feeding. Error-proof liner trimming, with no measuring required, reduces burnbacks, bird-nesting and erratic arc caused by liners that are too short, minimizing downtime for troubleshooting or rework. The MDX Series includes three models: MDX-100, MDX-250 and MDX-250 EZ-Select™, which are all compatible with AccuLock MDX Series consumables.

The MDX-250 and MDX-250 EZ-Select guns are also compatible with Bernard AccuLock S consumables. Both AccuLock Series feature tapered connections between the contact tip, gas diffuser and neck to maximize electrical conductivity for longer product life. Coarse thread on the contact tips speeds replacement by mating easily with the gas diffuser and lessens the risk of cross-threading. Bernard AccuLock S Consumables are an excellent upgrade to increase durability and consumable life when welding with MDX-250 or MDX-250 EZ-Select guns in heavier industrial environments. They also simplify consumable inventory for operations using a mix of Miller MDX and Bernard MIG Guns. Miller offers conversion parts to retrofit older-style MIGmatic M-Series guns with AccuLock MDX and AccuLock S consumables. M-Series consumables will not be compatible on the new MDX Series MIG guns.

The MDX Series guns are available on multiple Miller power sources. The MDX-100 is rated at 100 amps and pairs with the Millermatic® 141, Millermatic 211, Multimatic® 215 and Multimatic 220 AC/DC. The MDX 250 contains increased copper in the cable, is pulse welding capable, can be used with CV waveforms and is compatible with the Millermatic 212 Auto-Set™, Millermatic 252, Millermatic 255, Multimatic 200 and Multimatic 255. The MDX-250 EZ-Select gun features trigger program select that allows the user to select up to four weld programs by tapping the MIG gun trigger, saving time for walking to the machine to make changes. To help avoid errors, the gun features LED lights on the handle to indicate the weld program that is currently selected. It works with the Millermatic 255 and Multimatic 255.

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