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© Weldclass 2019 | E.&O.E. | Edition 2.1
7.1.6
Additional Setup for MIG welding with aluminium
Welding with aluminium provides a unique challenge, due to the low column strength and surface
friction of the wire. This causes the wire to deform more as it is pushed through the feed mechanism
and the torch wire delivery liner, greatly increasing friction. Because good MIG welding results are
dependent on a smooth wire feed, certain changes must be made to the wire feed system to minimise
friction caused issues.
1.
A shorter MIG Torch will minimize friction and issues. If possible limit length to no longer than 3m
2.
Replace the liner in the MIG Torch with a special Graphite/Teflon/PVC liner (rather than the
conventional steel liner). The Weldclass Universal Graphite liner kit is recommended (P3-CTUL09)
3.
Choose the largest dimeter wire possible that can but used by your machine for your application.
(Ideally 1.0mm or above)
4.
Ensure the wire drive system is fitted with the correct size U-groove drive roller to suit the wire
being used.
5.
Ensure specific Aluminium contact tip to suit chosen wire (or a standard tip in one size oversize,
e.g. 1.0mm aluminium wire, use standard 1.2mm contact tip).
TIP!
For above reasons, it is quite common for operators to have an extra MIG torch
specifically set up for aluminium use, if the machine is used for welding steel as well.
TIP!
Another option to overcome the friction issues is using a spool gun, which will
give better results and much less frustration than a standard MIG torch when welding
aluminium. The WF-205MST is spool gun capable, refer following section for use with
a spool gun on the WF-205MST.
7.1.7
Spool Gun Setup
NOTE: Spool Gun is an optional extra for the WF-205MST.
The spool gun is a very useful addition to a MIG welder. It can be used for all types of MIG welding, but
it has two primary advantages over a conventional ‘push’ wire feeder…
The main advantage is that distance that the wire has to travel from the spool to the welding tip is very
short, compared with a conventional torch. This greatly reduces the wire feeding friction and improves
the wire feed speed smoothness and consistency, thus the welding quality is greatly improved. This is
especially so with ‘soft’ wires such as Aluminium. It is difficult to get Aluminium to feed smoothly in
welding machines equipped with standard design wire feeders, even with special torch liners and short
torch lengths.
The second advantage is that the gun can allow the use of the small 100mm wire spools at a distance
from the power source (This distance is only limited by the length of the spool gun lead). This is
advantageous for high cost wire, that is not used commonly such as Stainless Steel or MIG brazing wire.
It saves the outlay cost for a much more expensive, larger 200mm spool.
1.
Follow above steps for either ‘Gasless Welding Setup’ or ‘Gas MIG Welding Setup’ (whichever is
relevant) using the spool gun for the torch
2.
Connect the spool gun interface plug to the Spool Gun Interface Connection Socket (5).
3.
Set welding process selector to ‘MIG’ (refer to 4.1)
4.
Set the MIG Program to ‘0’ (refer to 4.2)
Note: Spool Gun cannot be used with Synergic MIG programs.
5.
Set Spool Gun Function setting to ‘On’ (refer to 4.3)
6.
Set the welding voltage adjustment, wire speed control knob and inductance control to the
desired positions.
7.
You are now ready to weld!
Summary of Contents for WeldForce WF-205MST
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Page 77: ...WF 205MST Weldclass 2019 E O E Edition 2 1 77 NOTES ...
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Page 80: ... 80 Weldclass 2019 E O E Edition 2 1 www Weldclass com au WF 205MST ...