Tweco 251 Thermal Arc Fabricator - Manual (Page 18)

FABRICATOR 251
INTRODUCTION 2-2 Manual No. 0-4847
2.04 General Information
The Fabricator 251 is a semiautomatic Gas Metal Arc
Welder (GMAW-commonly MIG) with an integrated wire
feed unit. This Power Supply is designed to meet the broad
operating needs of the metal fabrication industry where
production efficiency is vital. The Fabricator 251 is
designed and manufactured to meet the requirements of
CSA and IEC 60974-1 standards.
The Fabricator 251 gives excellent performance on mild
steel, stainless steel, aluminum, silicon bronze and some
hard facing wires with Argon based shielding gases. The
Power Supply also gives excellent results on mild steel
using Carbon Dioxide shielding gas.
The Fabricator 251 is supplied as a complete package
ready to weld (apart from gas cylinder and electrode wire).
The following instructions detail how to correctly set up
the welder and give guidelines on gaining the best
production efficiency from the Power Supply. Please read
these instructions thoroughly before using your Fabricator
welder.
2.05 Safety
The following basic safety rules should always be fol-
lowed:
• Ensure the machine is correctly installed, if neces-
sary, by a qualified electrician.
• Ensure the Power Supply is grounded correctly
(electrically) in accordance with local regulations.
• Excessive heat in the welding cables may cause fire.
Never weld with poor electrical connections, dam-
aged welding cables or exceed the welding cable
current rating as this will produce excessive heat
and may cause a fire.
• Always wear the correct protective clothing for pro-
tection from sparks, molten particles and arc rays.
• When welding in confined spaces, always ensure
adequate ventilation and constant observation of the
operator.
• Keep combustible materials away from the welding
area. Have a suitable fire extinguisher handy.
• Never watch the welding arc with naked eyes. Al-
ways use and wear a welding mask fitted with the
correct filter lens.
• Do not stand on damp ground when welding.
For more complete safety advice please read section 1.
2.06 Protective Filter Lenses
Protective filter lenses are provided to reduce the intensity
of radiation entering the eye thus filtering out harmful
infrared, ultraviolet radiation and a percentage of the
visible light. Such filter lenses are incorporated within face
shields. To prevent damage to the filter lenses from molten
or hard particles an additional hard clear glass or special
plastic external cover lens should be used. This cover
lens should always be kept in place and replaced before
the damage impairs your vision while welding.
Approximate range of
welding current
Filter lens
required for
MIG
Up to 150 Shade 10
150-250 Shade 11
250-300 Shade 12
300-350 Shade 13
Over 350 Shade 14
Table 2-1: Filter Lens Size Versus Welding Current
It is recommended to use a welding helmet, conforming
to the local relevant Standards when electric arc welding.
Use a welding helmet in serviceable condition with the
correct filter lens. Refer to Table 2-1 above and AWS table
in Section 1.
2.07 User Responsibility
This equipment will perform as per the information
contained herein when installed, operated, maintained and
repaired in accordance with the instructions provided. This
equipment must be checked periodically. Defective
equipment (including welding leads) should not be used.
Parts that are broken, missing, plainly worn, distorted or
contaminated, should be replaced immediately. Should
such repairs or replacements become necessary, it is
recommended that such repairs be carried out by
appropriately qualified persons approved by Thermal Arc.
Advice in this regard can be obtained by contacting
Thermal Arc.
This equipment or any of its parts should not be altered
from standard specification without prior written approval
of Thermal Arc. The purchaser of this equipment shall
have the sole responsibility for any malfunction which
results from improper use or unauthorized modification
from standard specification, faulty maintenance, damage
or improper repair by anyone other than appropriately
qualified persons approved by Thermal Arc.