ESAB MODULARISED WELDING TRACTOR SIMPLIFY AUTOMATION

ESAB showcased the newly updated Miggytrac and Railtrac battery-powered tractors for automated MIG/MAG welding and plasma /oxy-fuel cutting at the ESAB Europe Xpanse virtual trade show, which ran live from 27 – 29 April. The company also featured its heavy-duty Versotrac EWT 1000 welding tractor for SAW applications.

Miggytrac is the simplest, most affordable method to mechanise MIG/MAG or plasma /oxy-fuel cutting cutting operations. Updates include replacing the analog controls with a digital control board and readout for greater accuracy, a battery life indicator and expanding the travel speed range so it now goes from 10 to 130 cm/min.

Miggytrac can boost the deposition rates for a GMAW welding process to between 5.5 and 7.5 kg/hr, compared to an average of 2.5 to 3.5 kg/hr for manual welding. Other than clamping a torch in the holder, there is no physical connection between the Miggytrac tractor and the power source. It is powered by an 18-volt Makita rechargeable battery and uses AC stepper motor drives to provide smooth travel at low and high speeds while high-friction wheels guarantee stable movement.

Compared to manual welding, welding tractors move faster, don’t need to stop for repositioning and enable welding with higher parameters and/or larger diameter wires. By making continuous welds, tractors reduce rework associated with start/stop defects. In applications where customers expect uniform weld bead profile and penetration, mechanised tractors deliver consistency without the cost or complexity of a fixed automation system. They also reduce welding in uncomfortable positions operator exposure to fumes and UV radiation.

ESAB Europe Xpanse also showcased the Railtrac™ B42V universal rail-mounted tractor, which is battery powered that also has a 42V connection option. If users can attach a rail to the workpiece with a magnet or suction cups, they can weld it with Railtrac in the flat, horizontal and vertical positions. With the new optional Orbital kit, users can convert the B42V into a pipe welder that can be used for orbital welding of pipes from 508 mm (20 in.) and up, in horizontal and vertical joints, with or without weaving.

Railtrac makes straight welds, features five built-in weaving patterns, makes weaves up to 80 mm wide and now has intermittent stitch welding capabilities. Railtrac is simple because it clamps a standard hand-held torch into position and connects to most ESAB wire feeders with no major modifications. The intuitive controls feature a bright display to set parameters, and users can adjust them during welding.

Heavy-Duty Solutions

The Versotrac EWT 1000 welding tractor from ESAB provides the most versatile and user-friendly tractor on the market for submerged arc welding (SAW), GMAW and Carbon Arc Gouging. Its rugged, modularised components can be disassembled into smaller units, hand-carried into confined or remote spaces without the need for cranes or other lifting devices. Once on site, it can be reassembled in minutes without the use of tools.

While most often used for welding butt joints, the Versotrac EWT 1000 also works for beam welding, including fillet welds in the flat position. It can be adapted for inverter-based power sources such as the Aristo® 1000 AC/DC, as well as conventional power sources. ESAB further enhanced the modular design with the new Versoarc EWH 1000 welding head and EAC 10 controller, both of which detach. The welding head incorporates a robust wire feed system that can weld with single wires up to 5 mm with a welding output of up to 1000A at 100 percent duty cycle. For higher productivity (20+ kg/hr deposition), the welding head can also be used with a twin wire process. Quick connectors and automatic detection/setup by the controller let users switch between the SAW, GMAW and gouging processes in seconds.

Manufacturers in the ship, barge, offshore, wind tower, structural steel and high-volume welding applications use mechanised welding on long- and medium-length joints to increase productivity, consistency, flexibility and ergonomics. The Versotrac makes it easier to step up to automation from a manual or semi-automatic process through features such as lightweight portability, easy disassembly and intuitive operation.

For welding with up to 6 mm wire using 1500A DC or AC current, as well as for using ESAB’s Integrated Cold Electrode (ICE™) multi-wire process, ESAB offers the A6 Mastertrac tractor paired with the proven PEK Controller.

At ESAB, we exist to shape the future of welding and cutting. We connect fabricators with the widest range of products under our industry-leading brand portfolio with the latest technologies to solve virtually any industry challenge — then we back it up with our knowledge, experience and passion to help them be more productive than ever before.