Portable Welding Carriages
About Portable Welding
Portable welding machines assist the professional welder in maintaining a safe and high quality weld. Sometimes referred to as semi-automation, the portable welding carriages make welding easier for the welder because the torch is taken out of the welder's hand and moved along in a controlled manner. This allows the welder to concentrate on the weld parameters and bead creation without being subject to uncomfortable positions, and it reduces his/her exposure to heat and fumes. By maintaining a consistent torch tip distance, the arc voltage remains the same. Speed controls maintain an even weld bead and penetration; this reduces over-welding and, in turn, reduces costs. Distortion is controlled by maintaining a constant heat affected zone. Wire and gas waste is reduced as only the determined amounts of these are applied to the weld bead. Weld carriages can be used for MIG, TIG, and SAW welding. Besides lateral motion, many weld carriages can be assigned parameters to control other variables in the weld process.
When determining the type of welding carriage to use in a particular application, many options are available. The guidance systems are based on trackless and track type. Tracks can be mounted by magnet or tack welded to the area. Many weld carriages do not use track and rely on guidance wheels to keep the machine unit aligned with the root of the weld. Other considerations are position, length of the weld, and the type of weld. Options can be added to allow for MIG, TIG and SAW welding.
How to Choose
Your choice to pursue semi-welding automation will be a rewarding one. Many of our current customers often find many benefits to semi-automated welding with a KOIKE portable machine. Often they are looking to improve quality and productivity; however, sometimes the cost savings can be overlooked which can amount to thousands of dollars every month. Essentially, by taking the welding gun out of the welders hand and mounting it on a welding carriage, you have exact control over many of the essential variables in the welding process.
Not all of our welding carriages are the same; we have categorized them based upon whether they need to follow a track, much like a train, use a magnet, or need an operator (trackless).