Trade News
RMD™ and Accu-Pulse™ Provides Superior Weldability and Improved Deposition Rates in GMAW
Johan Pieterse, Business Manager Application Development at Afrox explains how Software-Driven RMD™ (Regulated Metal Deposition) and Accu-Pulse™ technology in multi-process GMAW equipment, improves deposition rates, and reduces heat input, labour time, spatter and fumes in the GMAW welding process.
Multi-process GMAW equipment is manufactured by Miller Electric Mfg. Co. of the United States and distributed in South Africa by Afrox.
When a new welding process lowers overall heat input, spatter and fumes - and can lower welding costs while improving weld quality - people tend to sit up and take notice. That's the case with Miller Electric Mfg. Co.'s RMDTM process.
RMD is a unique, patented, advanced software application for modified short circuit transfer GMAW (MIG welding) that precisely controls the electrode current during all phases of the short (see Fig. 1 below). It is best suited for welding thin metal (especially stainless steels), overcoming less-than-ideal fit-up (gaps) and root passes on pipe.
Though RMD is a software-driven welding process, it is important to note that it is very user-friendly. In fact, RMD improves the performance of less experienced welders as it is very tolerant of gaps, putting about 5 to 20 percent less heat into the work, and compensates for changes in contact tip to work distance. RMD maintains optimum arc characteristics because the electrode current is closely monitored and controlled during each phase of the welding process.
Using RMD requires only familiarity with everyday welding terms. In fact, operators simply enter the wire type, wire diameter, gas combination and the desired wire feed speed on the welding system’s simple interface. The RMD software then automatically maintains optimum arc conditions regardless of wire feed speed and contact tip to work distance.
Unlike speciality welding systems from other manufacturers that offer limited process options, the multi-MIG inverter-based welding system for RMD provides unparalleled flexibility. It can create any GMAW output type imaginable; hence, RMD can be combined with other software generated processes or arc transfer modes from the same system. This allows selection of the best process for the application at hand.
Example: Pipe Welding: RMD could be used for the root pass in pipe and Accu-Pulse™ used for hot and cover passes without changing machines or secondary leads. In automated applications, RMD could be used to weld thin sections or fill gaps, and then switched using remote programme select to Accu-Pulse™ for higher travel speeds