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Up Topic Welding Industry / Technical Discussions / STT on Aluminum pipe
- - By kcd616 (***) Date 08-04-2013 18:14
Anyone ever weld STT mig on aluminum pipe?
Thank you for your time and consideration
Sincerely,
Kent
Parent - By 46.00 (****) Date 08-04-2013 19:21
Is STT possible on Aluminium?
Parent - - By aevald (*****) Date 08-05-2013 05:52
Hello Kent, I don't know that STT is specifically what it would be termed on the Lincoln equipment, but I do believe that the STT system is capable of waveforms/parameters to accommodate the welding of aluminum very well. Maybe some of the Lincoln folks who are familiar with these systems could respond specifically to your question. I'll be waiting to hear as well. Best regards, Allan
Parent - - By Milton Gravitt (***) Date 08-05-2013 10:51
Allen what happen to the cobramatic welding machines? They use to be the best on aluminum. I know it's old technology, but it use to be the best.

M.G.
Parent - By aevald (*****) Date 08-05-2013 14:09
Hello Milton, I agree, the Cobramatics were the premium in their day. I believe that many of the push/pull systems that we see today still use the same basic technology that Cobramatic originally developed. I wasn't sure how to answer your question of what has happened to them so I did a bit of Googling to see, here's a link that gives some information:  http://www.mkprod.com/FAQ_sub_CobramaticSys.htm

From what I see they are still in production and being used, they just might not have upped their game fully to compete with some of the advanced systems. There is still a market for the basics and I would believe that they would be at the top of the rung for those applications. Good question Milton and best regards, Allan
Parent - - By ssbn727 (*****) Date 08-06-2013 08:12
This is what I found so far...
The You tube video below is from the Lincoln Electric affiliate of Germany, otherwise known as: "Lincoln Deutschland.":lol::wink::cool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y1NUl80_wg

If you notice towards the end of the video, there's a part that provides the various metals in which the STT process is compatible with and it does NOT include Aluminum.

Here's the STT arc in a video filmed in very slow motion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaXBYkmZkaE

This is "Pulse on pulse." : This variant can produce almost TIG like appearance & quality welds on Aluminum sheet...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSAptEWQps4

This is "Power mode." :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhGDLUnNbns

This is "Rapid arc." :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRu2Fxv5bUA

STT Explained - Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TzQRLtyRmM

STT Explained - Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-07DNYhKNY8

This is "Fronius CMT" which stands for Cold Metal Transfer...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWegk_10S3s

Fronius: Weldstart compare CMT versus Conventional short circuit transfer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIyMlkUtaak

This is what CMT can do! I know it's been around since 1999 but, this is truly impressive automotive design wise:lol::cool: :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B80IWBpjvQc

Fronius: CMT Application Stove Pipe :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GyrdSMciLk

Fronius: CMT Advanced:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WrhWf9XLHM

Fronius: Cold Metal Transfer spatter free welding

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXBMJmi_2Z0

ESAB Swift Arc Transfer (SATâ„¢)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTzXevAOJHM

This machine is specifically designed for Aluminum by Miller... Btw, it's NOT RMD and is probably the least expensive of the systems covered in this post!:wink::cool: :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlSbfq9Oqok

New Advances in Pipe Welding - RMD & Pro Pulse GMAW "RMD" = Regulated Metal Deposition

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mD52BWLflo

Miller Pulsed/Multi-MIG Welding Options - Pulsed processes covering Accu-Pulse, Accu-Speed, Pulsed MIG, RMD, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTiCxszwW4I

Now that I have as a bonus, given you a comparison of the processes similar to STT, based on what Lincoln states - STT was not designed for aluminum welding of pipe....
There are a variety of processes and equipment listed above that's better suited for Aluminum as is standard GMAW Spray transfer which is easier on the  bottom line.:lol::wink::cool:

Respectfully,
Henry
Parent - - By TimGary (****) Date 08-06-2013 13:31
Thanks for your time Henry!
Parent - - By js55 (*****) Date 08-06-2013 13:55
Aluminum requires a great deal of heat input due to thermal conductivity. This runs counter to the STT/RMD/short circuit processes.
Parent - By Lawrence (*****) Date 08-06-2013 14:09 Edited 08-06-2013 14:30
Lincoln has a thing called "Pulse on Pulse" (linked by Henry"  That is their top programming for welding of thin aluminum.  As mentioned above, STT is not designed for aluminum

I have used Lincoln pulsaton on aluminum pretty extensively (but not on pipe) and find it very good.. Especially with a push-pull gun...

Miller has EXCELLENT improvement with their "Invision" power supply...  Their new technology provides a synchronized pulsation of current and filler wire...  Not unlike Fronius, I've used the Invision with excellent results on fillets.  Tee Joints down to 0.040 with no burn thru and excellent fusion at the root, proven by sectioning and etch.

Fronius makes the best GMAW Pulsed power on the planet with CMT and CMT/Pulse

Edit:  The Miller 350P also does excellent pulsed welding of aluminum with both a push pull or a spoolgun.... Not as high level as the above choices... But also about half the cost....
Up Topic Welding Industry / Technical Discussions / STT on Aluminum pipe

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