Balancing the challenges of heat input
The most welded materials at A. Häggblom are Strenx performance steel, Hardox® wear plate for extreme conditions, and structural steel S355. Special steel sets high quality demands for the welds and challenges the daily welding. The heat input needs to be perfectly refined by the material requirements. Furthermore, the need for low heat input challenges the speed of welding. This also calls for highly experienced professional welders who know their equipment like the back of their hand. The stable and reliable quality of the equipment is a requirement that comes without saying.
Reliable welding equipment optimized by special processes
At A. Häggblom, the FastMig M is considered as the handyman of the workshop; it is suitable for all kinds of MIG/MAG welding tasks and at the same time easy to manouvre and adjust. This light-weight welding system is easy to harness for several duties around the workshop, as the long interconnection cables and transportation units allow for controlled reach, no matter how high or complex the target. This is highly appreciated by the users, as the movability from one welding station to another is a crucial feature for the welding equipment.
The MS control panel includes an easy-to-use synergic functionality combined with a wide variety of additional features for more demanding users. However, the reliability, adjustability and ease-of-use are the most appreciated attributes.
25% of A. Häggblom’s welding fleet is equipped with Reduced Gap Technology (RGT) solution. The intelligent arc control is achieved by utilizing two application software developed by Kemppi: WisePenetration, which keeps the arc power consistent and WiseFusion, which provides adaptive regulation that keeps the arc focused and optimally short. This technology allows reliable and efficient narrow gap welding with no need for special equipment or accessories for material thicknesses of up to 30 mm. Since the user doesn’t need to continuously adjust the welding parameters, there is less hassle and the arc time ratio is higher. RGT also minimizes heat input, which improves impact toughness especially with high-strength steels and reduces deformation, so there is less need for straightening.
The special processes were adopted to A. Häggblom after a thorough testing and validation phase of different joint designs and penetrations. The stable and efficient penetration and the end result convinced, and nowadays RGT is commonly used in every-day welding. Likewise, using the special processes reduces different joint designs and optimizes the welding process itself.