Latest inverters provide high-tech welding

Formula 1 racing teams seek the latest technology developments to weld lightweight alloys, prefereably using high technology, compact, lightweight equipment such as welding inverters.

Welding equipment manufacturer, Kemppi (UK), based in Bedford, has supplied four MasterTig MLS 2300 AC/DC digitally controlled single phase 230V inverter power sources to the Midlands F1 racing team, based in Silverstone, Northamptonshire, UK.

Kemppi was a preferred welding equipment supplier to the Jordan Racing F1 team before it was renamed Midland F1 Racing Limited in 2005 and announced the official registration of its Formula One team - MF1 Racing - into the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Kemppi renewed its supply contract with MF1 racing and having launched MasterTig MLS 2300 at the Essen Welding Show in Germany in September 2005, the racing team's fabricators decided to invest in Kemppi's latest high technology inverters to replace older Kemppi technology.

This new inverter has PFC (Power Factor Correction) technology for both MMA and TIG AC and DC welding, producing an increase in output current in proportion to the supply current, eliminating the low current outputs and fuse failures usually associated with single phase 230V power sources.

Mastertig MLS 2300, has a slow 16A fuse, is rated 230A at 40% duty cycle and 170A at 100% duty cycle giving it enough power to weld 5mm aluminium, where normally a three-phase machine is required.

It is compact, powerful and weighs approximately 15kg, offering a high power to weight ratio, made possible by the use of modern design technology in its electronic and electromechanical systems.

MasterTig MLS 2300 AC/DC can be used both from a mains supply or a generator, making it useful for installation and repair work both on-site and in fabrication shops.

John Frost, sales and marketing director at Kemppi UK said: "Formula I racing operates at the leading edge of technology with a requirement to weld lightweight alloys using high technology, compact, lightweight equipment.

Kemppi continually strives to maintain its reputation as being a market leader in welding technology and we have some of the best equipment designers in the World just as the F1 teams have the best engineering personnel.

He added: "We first supplied Jordan in 1997 and in 1999 we supplied a machine at extremely short notice to the race track at Monza enabling them to make repairs to newly designed gearboxes, which had cracked during practice.

The repairs were successfully made and the cars made it through to the race with Heinz Harald Frenszten being the winner.

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