Miscellaneous
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Miscellaneous
- As per ASME IX and B31.3, requalification of WPS's is not required when increased Electrode Extension is used.
- No special wires or fluxes are required to use increased Electrode Extension.
- Each time a coil of wire is changed, the guide tube and wire guides should be blown out so as to prevent a buildup of wire feed roll filings that could cause jamming of contact tips and nozzles.
- When welding circumferential welds, the welding head should be angled such that the wire is perpendicular to the tangent at the point of welding. Another way to say this is that the wire should be pointing directly at the axis of the cylinder (pipe). This increases penetration and flattens the bead. Additionally, it helps to minimize slag entrapment when the head offset becomes too great.
- Check Lincoln NA-5 controllers to be sure the digital wire feed reading is accurate. The pin connection on the back of the display (just inside the front door) should be on the numbered pin that matches the ratio stamped on the wire feed motor angle gear (95 to 1 or 142 to 1)
- Show welders how to measure welding travel speed in inches per minute so as to stay within the normal range of 14 to 24 IPM surface travel speed and to comply with heat input requirements of procedures. A dry run to measure distance traveled for 30 or 60 seconds can easily be performed to determine inches per minute.
- Check with TipMate™ Systems personnel prior to the application of TipMate™ products with Stainless Steel, High Alloy or Tubular wires. These generally require less Electrode Extension and lower amperages to get increased productivity while maintaining acceptable nozzle life.
- Excess travel speed can cause some lack of follow and fluctuation of current. Typical circumferential welding speeds are 16 to 24 IPM.
Typical Currents Limits to maintain reasonable nozzle life:
5/64" wire 440 amperes maximum @ 1-1/2" EE
3/32" wire 500 amperes maximum @ 2-1/4" EE
1/8" wire 525 amperes maximum @ 2-1/2" EE
5/32" wire 750 amperes maximum @ 2-3/4" EE