Lincoln Electric IM951 VANTAGE 300 - Manual (Page 24)

TIG WELDING
The TOUCH START TIG setting of the MODE switch is for
DC TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding. To initiate a weld,
the OUTPUT CONTROL dial is first set to the desired cur-
rent and the tungsten is touched to the work. During the
time the tungsten is touching the work there is very little
voltage or current and, in general, no tungsten contamina-
tion. Then, the tungsten is gently lifted off the work in a
rocking motion, which establishes the arc.
When in the TOUCH START TIG mode and when a
Amptrol is connected to the 6-Pin connector the OUT-
PUT CONTROL dial is used to set the maximum cur-
rent range of the current control of the Amptrol.
The ARC CONTROL is not active in the TIG mode. To
STOP a weld, simply pull the TIG torch away from the
work. When the arc voltage reaches approximately 30
Volts the arc will go out and the machine will reset the
current to the Touch Start level.
To reinitiate the arc, retouch the tungsten to the work
and lift. Alternatively, the weld can be stopped by
releasing the Amptrol or arc start switch.
The VANTAGE® 300 can be used in a wide variety of
DC TIG welding applications. In general the ʻTouch
Startʼ feature allows contamination free starting without
the use of a Hi-frequency unit. If desired, the K930-2
TIG Module can be used with the VANTAGE® 300.
The settings are for reference.
VANTAGE® 300 settings when using the K930-2 TIG
Module with an Amptrol or Arc Start Switch:
• Set the MODE Switch to the TOUCH START TIG
setting.
• Set the "IDLER" Switch to the "AUTO" position.
• Set the "WELDING TERMINALS" switch to the
"REMOTELY CONTROLLED" position. This will
keep the "Solid State" contactor open and provide a
"cold" electrode until the Amptrol or Arc Start
Switch is pressed.
When using the TIG Module, the OUTPUT CONTROL
on the VANTAGE® 300 is used to set the maximum
range of the CURRENT CONTROL on the TIG
Module or an Amptrol if connected to the TIG Module.
WIRE WELDING-CV
Connect a wire feeder to the VANTAGE® 300 accord-
ing to the instructions in INSTALLATION INSTRUC-
TIONS Section.
The VANTAGE® 300 in the CV-WIRE mode, permits
it to be used with a broad range of flux cored wire
(Innershield and Outershield) electrodes and solid
wires for MIG welding (gas metal arc welding).
Welding can be finely tuned using the ARC CON-
TROL. Turning the ARC CONTROL clockwise from
–10 (soft) to +10 (crisp) changes the arc from soft and
washed-in to crisp and narrow. It acts as an induc-
tance/pinch control. The proper setting depends on
the procedure and operator preference. Start with the
dial set at 0.
TYPICAL CURRENT RANGES (1) FOR TUNGSTEN ELECTRODES (2)
Tungsten Electrode DCEN (-) DCEP (+) Approximate Argon Gas Flow TIG TORCH
Diameter in. (mm) Flow Rate C.F.H. ( l /min.) Nozzle Size (4), (5)
1%, 2% Thoriated 1%, 2% Thoriated Aluminum Stainless Steel
Tungsten Tungsten
.010 (.25) 2-15 (3) 3-8 (2-4) 3-8 (2-4) #4, #5, #6
0.020 (.50) 5-20 (3) 5-10 (3-5) 5-10 (3-5)
0.040 (1.0) 15-80 (3) 5-10 (3-5) 5-10 (3-5)
1/16 (1.6) 70-150 10-20 5-10 (3-5) 9-13 (4-6) #5, #6
3/32 (2.4) 150-250 15-30 13-17 (6-8) 11-15 (5-7) #6, #7, #8
1/8 (3.2) 250-400 25-40 15-23 (7-11) 11-15 (5-7)
5/32 (4.0) 400-500 40-55 21-25 (10-12) 13-17 (6-8) #8, #10
3/16 (4.8) 500-750 55-80 23-27 (11-13) 18-22 (8-10)
1/4 (6.4) 750-1000 80-125 28-32 (13-15) 23-27 (11-13)
(1) When used with argon gas. The current ranges shown must be reduced when using argon/helium or pure helium shielding gases.
(2) Tungsten electrodes are classified as follows by the American Welding Society (AWS):
Pure EWP
1% Thoriated EWTh-1
2% Thoriated EWTh-2
Though not yet recognized by the AWS, Ceriated Tungsten is now widely accepted as a substitute for 2% Thoriated Tungsten in AC and DC applications.
(3) DCEP is not commonly used in these sizes.
(4) TIG torch nozzle "sizes" are in multiples of 1/16ths of an inch:
# 4 = 1/4 in. (6 mm)
# 5 = 5/16 in. (8 mm)
# 6 = 3/8 in. (10 mm)
# 7 = 7/16 in. (11 mm)
# 8 = _ in. (12.5 mm)
#10 = 5/8 in. (16 mm)
(5) TIG torch nozzles are typically made from alumina ceramic. Special applications may require lava nozzles, which are less prone to breakage, but cannot withstand high temperatures
and high duty cycles.
B-6 OPERATION B-6
VANTAGE® 300
TABLE B.2