Arc Viewing Cameras can be added to a GTAW/PAW system giving the operator a view of the weld arc from a remote location. This keeps the operator in a safe location and reduces operator stress and fatigue. Additionally the image that is shown on the monitor is magnified and shows greater detail than what could be observed without the camera. Multiple cameras may be integrated for projects where a view of the lead and trail side of the weld zone is required. Please see the Arc Viewing Camera page for additional information.

An optional foot pedal switch is offered to control the pneumatic clamping of the seam welder in place of the tape switch. This can be beneficial when loading and fitting up the part to be welded.

Data is collected and analyzed in real-time to ensure all modules are within the set tolerances. The data points can be displayed graphically on the display and can also be exported as a .csv file and viewed on a program such as Microsoft Excel. These files can be exported through one of the USB or Ethernet ports on the XM or XPro Controller.

The standard centering devices are manually moved in and out of position. The Pneumatic Centering Devices are air driven so they work semi-automatically. The operator toggles a switch to lower or raise these centering devices (1 pair). Additionally, the Pneumatic Centering Devices may also be activated as a step in either the pre-weld or post-weld automation.

The standard latch requires that the operator open and close it manually. The Pneumatic Latch, on the other hand, is actuated by a pneumatic cylinder and allows the operator to press one button to open or close the latch. By using a digitally controlled pneumatic solenoid, the operation of the latch may be included as one of the steps in the pre-weld or post-weld automation. A safety interlock switch is included as part of this optional feature package.

An AVC (Arc Voltage Control) Module is added to provide the weld head with automatic arc standoff. The module provides automatic height adjustments to maintain a consistent arc voltage throughout the entire weld, including automatic adjustments on multi-pass welds.

In some applications fingertips made from steel, stainless steel or chrome plated fingertips are required. AMET can additionally provide Continuous Clamping Strips made from copper. These copper strips are recommended when welding thin materials or materials where small amounts of oxygen are a concern.

Optional Sheet Loading Rollers are available with either hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. With the rollers in the extended position, the sheet material is raised above the seam welder mandrel when loading and when pulling the material through the seam welder. With the rollers retracted the material drops in place over the seam welder mandrel and is presented for clamping and welding. Depending on the length of the seam welder, this option may include between three (3) and six (6) rollers per side, front and back.

Not all seam welding applications are the same; because of this, AMET offers custom mandrels based directly on the end user’s project requirements. Some projects require the ability to weld smaller diameter parts than allowed by the standard sized mandrel. One option for these scenarios is an undersized mandrel, allowing smaller diameter parts to be welded along the full length of the seamer. Depending on the material thickness this may require a mandrel support.

In some situations, this smaller diameter capacity is only needed on parts that are less than the permissible weld length. For these projects a stepped mandrel may be available where the latch end of the mandrel is machined with a smaller diameter, which then increases in diameter significantly in order to counter the clamping forces.

AMET offers an Internal version of our Seam Welders with an equal focus on precision and robustness as the External version. These Seam Welders are engineered to provide the smallest envelope (minimum part diameter) possible, while providing a virtually unlimited maximum part diameter. For large diameters, additional equipment such as an overhead crane or forklift may be required for supporting parts.

Internal Seam Welders are capable of flat sheet seam welding as well as clamping and welding thicker materials. Unlike the External Seam Welder, the base and the mandrel are an integrated structure with supports along the entire length of the seam welder bed. This allows us to increase clamping capabilities without risking damage to the base or mandrel. These are built-to-order, so please contact us to discuss your needs and specifications.

AMET offers an Elevating version of the External Seam Welder with increased part diameter capabilities. The AMET Elevating Seam Welder allows a large range of external welds to be performed without the need of separate equipment. The entire bed and carriage are hydraulically raised to accommodate larger diameters.

This version utilizes the same mandrel and seam welder bed construction as the External version, so the material thickness and clamping capacities are the same. Elevating Seam Welders are built-to-order, so please contact us to discuss your needs and specifications.

In some applications, an undersized mandrel is required. However, when clamped, the mandrel will deflect beyond allowable tolerances. In these situations AMET can provide a mandrel center support, or in some cases, a series of supports. The supports are adjustable and provide the mandrel with additional load paths to counter the deflection from the clamping forces.

When a seam welder is ordered with multiple mandrels, the optional Mandrel Cart may also be selected. The Mandrel Cart provides a safe manner to change out from one mandrel to another by wheeling the cart into position, raising the adjustable mandrel supports on the cart and then unbolting the mandrel from the mainstay. Once freed from the seam welder mainstay the cart can be repositioned so that the secondary mandrel may be installed. This provides an effective method of changing out the mandrels while keeping personnel safe and speeding up the changeover process.

The standard mandrel insert is machined from copper, but some welds require a different insert to back up the weld. In other welding processes copper is not allowed to contact the material when welding. For these welds AMET can offer mandrel inserts made from steel, stainless steel, or the mandrel insert may even be chrome plated.

When welding materials such as stainless steel and titanium, gas coverage on the back of the weld is desirable. For cases such as these, AMET offers a copper insert machined with a gas channel and a series of staggered holes, spaced every 50 mm (2 in) to allow shielding gas to pass to the backside of the weld joint and improve weld quality.

The mandrel is “split” into two sections, an upper section that holds the mandrel insert, and a lower section that provides structure and support to the upper section. The portion that holds the insert is secured through a series of levers to the lower portion of the mandrel. The levers act as a hinge assembly, allowing the insert section to move either up or down into position. This motion is achieved by a hydraulic cylinder located inside the vertical mainstay section. With this design the assembly has at least 30 mm (1.25 in) between the fingers and the insert when in the retracted position. This simplifies the loading and unloading of parts. This feature may be added to most seam welding models, but is typically utilized on the Internal Seam Welder. This option may add 100 mm (4 in) to minimum part diameter for any given length of seam welder.

This support device helps the operator load and unload parts into the linear seam welder. The cart or rails are adjustable for various diameters and use rollers so the part position can be adjusted in or out, as well as turned clockwise and counter clockwise. Includes v-way rails for the cart to ride along. NOTE: Maximum Diameter is reduced when using this feature.

A Heavy Duty version of the Internal Seam Welder is available which includes more robust structural components to withstand higher clamping forces. This version is rated for clamping material thicknesses ranging from 0.8 to 16 mm (0.03 to 0.63 in). The clamping force for the Heavy Duty version is adjustable up to 134 kg/cm (9,000 lb/ft).

For projects that require a maximum OD capacity greater than the standard 910mm (36 inches), AMET is able to provide an optional Mainstay Riser. These are available in various heights which, when installed, will increase the seam welder’s maximum OD capacity anywhere from 1,050mm (42 inches) to 1,800mm (72 inches). Mainstay Risers are produced in sizes having 150mm (6 inch) increments.

Dual Pressure Clamping allows the operator to use a lower pressure to clamp the part edges into position during the fit-up process of loading the part into the seam welder. Once the part is correctly positioned, the clamping pressure, and thus the clamping force, may be increased to keep the parts from shifting during the welding process. With the Dual Pressure Clamping option, separate pressure regulators and pressure gauges are provided. This allows the clamping pressures to be adjusted independently.

We integrate components into our controls for automating additional functions other than the welding process. These components include safety equipment such as automatic weld screens or curtains that are programmable to automatically open and close at the end or beginning of each weld. We can also integrate additional tooling such as automated part loading equipment.

This package includes a gas union, digital solenoid, manual flow meter, and a gas line from the solenoid to the gas union for purging or backing gas capability. The digital solenoid is integrated with the XM for programmable and manual on/off control of the gas. Programmable flow control is also available.

Weld programs can be automatically selected by scanning a bar code associated with a specific part. This can help eliminate the incorrect program being loaded and run. Beneficial if many different parts are to be welded and operator needs to frequently switch between weld programs. Includes the bar code scanner and the necessary software to integrate with the XM or XPro Controller.