Not in all situations, you can use a welding machine that connects to a source of electricity. Especially if it's building a building from scratch. For such cases, the welding unit is intended. This is a high-tech element that is simply indispensable for production facilities. Often, these units are built on the basis of the chassis and are indispensable when it is necessary to perform street work. Also, without such a device, it is impossible to do on construction sites and large industries. These units are a combination of a welding machine and a generator. The device can be used for cutting and metal welding.
general information
The welding unit differs from traditional machines in mobility and independence from electricity. Also, this equipment can be transported without problems manually or by road.
Devices on the chassis perform well in field work - on the street. This can explain the moment why the autonomous welding unit was made, including for operation in difficult and extreme conditions - rain, wind, summer heat.
Arranged these units of two nodes. This is the engine that is responsible for generating power and a generator. The task of the latter is to form the necessary current. In addition, some models of autonomous welding devices can be equipped with current generators, devices for heating the soil or concrete, devices that allow you to adjust the welding current, a plasma-air cutting unit, and mechanisms for drying raw electrodes.
Types of mobile welding equipment
Three types of aggregates can be distinguished. They differ in the transformer - it can be collector or valve. Also, the equipment varies in type of drive. The generator can be gasoline, diesel or electric. Also, the installation may have wheels or be stationary.
The engine is equipped with air or liquid cooling. Operating current - direct or alternating. There is also a welding unit two-, one- or multi-post. Rated current - from 250 to 500 A. Devices equipped with a gasoline engine 4004, are offered at very reasonable prices, but have one drawback. The engine requires high-quality fuel to operate. Equipment based on a diesel engine has a higher cost. However, fuel quality does not matter here. The device can work efficiently on inexpensive fuel. The diesel welding unit is unpretentious in operation and can work properly even at subzero air temperatures.
Device
In order to understand how the equipment works, for example, a welding machine of the SAK type, it is necessary to disassemble the device in detail. Structurally, the system is a modern and technological filling and a durable case. Highly specialized units, as well as universal equipment consists of two basic components - an engine and a generator.
In addition to the basic units, the system consists of a fuel tank, instruments for monitoring and measurement, a control panel, batteries, rheostats for adjusting the current strength, as well as a niche for tools in the unit body.
The main, as well as additional systems are rigidly fixed to the frame made of strong metal. The housing is designed to protect the structure. It protects equipment from the effects of various negative factors, adverse weather conditions and mechanical damage. Due to such a reliable design, it is possible to operate the welding unit in any weather - in snow, rain, summer heat or frost, without fear that water will enter the device. The whole design is carefully thought out. For example, on the side and on the back there are special doors through which you can conveniently access internal systems. Also, due to these doors, repair is greatly facilitated. For greater comfort in transportation and operation, mobile welding units of type D144 can be equipped with a searchlight.
Features of the welding device
Any kind of welding apparatus works according to the same basic principle. It is specially designed so that the system produces maximum efficiency. That is why welders should know the theoretical part well.
Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of equipment - according to reviews, there is always something to choose for solving certain problems. At the same time, aggregates that are identical in appearance will differ in the type of key nodes. Although the scheme by which they work will be the same. The circuit is necessary for feeding stable voltages. Without this, one cannot talk about any stable operation of the device.
In addition, obtaining an electric arc is ensured - without it it is impossible to obtain neat and professional seams. But they are important not only from an aesthetic, but also from a technical point of view. Different types of equipment use different schemes designed to obtain maximum performance.
Wheel ADD unit
The most convenient option, according to most welders, is the ADD 4004 welding unit. This modification is in demand because it is equipped with wheels and can be easily transported to the place of work by any means. Reviews say that the wheels allow without the presence of a car two people to pull the unit from one workshop to another. If you need to deliver the system over long distances, then any car is suitable for this.
The chassis significantly increases the load-bearing characteristics of an autonomous welding machine. Its mass is quite large, and due to the chassis, the pressure on the soil is leveled. Therefore, such a system can be installed even in wetlands.
Features of gasoline units
Generators that run on gasoline, as can be understood from the reviews, are used most often. The power of such equipment ranges from 0.5 kW to 100 kW. Among the advantages are simplicity and versatility, low weight, low price. Reviews also note the possibility of welding at low temperatures.
However, there are also disadvantages. Reviews note a relatively short service life and high fuel consumption. Depending on the manufacturer and model, gasoline generators can work effectively from 500 to 3000 hours. As for fuel consumption, about 5.5 liters of fuel are needed to produce 1 kW of energy. This is a lot.
Diesel devices
Reviews say that devices of this type can connect metals even at high loads, which gasoline devices cannot provide. Such a mechanism is not suitable for use in everyday life and for private use. The initial power of this equipment is from 5 kW.
Among the advantages, high characteristics of welding units of this kind, stability, and the ability to work under heavy loads can be distinguished. Motor resources - up to 40,000 hours. Another major plus is fuel consumption. If a
gasoline generator required 5.5 liters of fuel, then here for 1 kW no more than 300 ml will be consumed.
But there are also disadvantages. This is a high cost (often 3-5 times more expensive). Due to the fuel feature, the engine does not start well at low temperatures. In this regard, gasoline units are more practical.
Market Review
A large selection of such equipment is presented on the modern Russian market. Mostly these are gasoline and diesel mobile devices for domestic use. Often these are universal units that can be used for any kind of welding work. For those wishing to purchase such welding units, the price starts from 50 thousand rubles for gasoline models. Model ADD 4004 is offered at a price of 188 thousand rubles. The maximum cost is 850 thousand rubles.