While most weld positioners will improve the productivity of a pipe welder, a positioner designed specifically for the pipe welding industry to reduce welder fatigue increases the quality of the welder’s work.
“Having a good positioner in a fabrication shop is a must regardless of shop size,” said Ned T. Hawkins of Michigan’s W. Soule. “A good positioner is like adding another fitter to your project without the added expense.”
Positioners designed for a broad market base do not meet the productivity and ergonomic needs of the pipe welder. Pipe welding requires a wide range of rotational speeds to suit the range of pipe diameters and welding processes involved with each project.
Team Industries, Inc., began building weld positioners designed exclusively for welding pipe in 1997. Their products include features that provide ergonomic advantages, such as programmable acceleration and deceleration, a bi-directional foot controller, air tool quick disconnects, variable rotation, and up to 135° tilt capacity. Several accessories can also be supplied with the positioner, including a universal gripper, self-centering quick disconnect jaws, thru-hole purge assemblies, and even a fan for welder comfort. Infinitely variable rotational speed control (.36 to 3.69 RPM) and a gear reduction option permit welding of piping of all sizes (small bore through large bore heavy wall). Thru-hole purging systems save welder time and reduce the cost of inert gasses.
Team has also designed a variable height welding positioner that incorporates additional ergonomic features, such as a push-button hydraulically actuated system for smooth height adjustment and a self-leveling system. These features offer a huge advantage over manual height adjustment positioners, which require considerably more time and effort at each height change.
The workstation concept incorporated into Team’s positioners improves the safety of the working environment for the welder. For example, positioners are equipped with 120V power outlets and air inlet filter/lubricator for air tool quick disconnects, reducing the propensity for trip hazards when using the positioner.
For more information, visit www.weldpositioner.com.
