 D/F Machine Specialties will showcase several new heavy-duty automated and robotic MIG & TIG welding products at the FABTECH 2012 Welding Show in Las Vegas, NV at the Las Vegas Convention Center November 12-14. Look for D/F in booth #N2224.
 D/F now offers its torches, parts and accessories as CAD file downloads. The models are created with Solidworks, but D/F provides several universal file formats for download to accommodate a wide variety of different software platforms. Check out the CAD File Downloads page here.
Here is your most recent issue of High Current News. It's packed full of information to keep you updated with the latest MIG & TIG news, product information and updates from D/F MACHINE SPECIALTIES.
D/F is a world leader in the design, development, and manufacture of MIG & TIG welding products, consumables & accessories.
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Unitized Cable Assembly vs. Separate Utilities
Typical modern torch setups utilize a unitized cable assembly with the gas, water, power and conduit are combined into a single replaceable unit. When one cable goes bad, the whole unit is replaced. This can be expensive. Also, this approach does not allow for a large enough inner power cable needed for necessary high amperages, and it is restricted in size by small passages for water, gas and wire. Water-cooling and gas coverage are both limited by the size restrictions.
 D/F torches take an alternative approach to the setup. The torches use a seperate gas hose, water in hose, water out/power cable, and casing/conduit. When one cable goes bad it is simply replaced instead of attaching an entire new unitized cable assembly; a huge cost saver! This is also where the D/F Utility Station comes into play. The three cables (gas hose, water in hose, and water out/power cable) are interfaced with the customer's existing lines via the Utility Station. The D/F cables plug into the front. Into the back go the customer's cables along with a 4/0 power cable.  This is how the D/F torches are powered, NOT with a power cable to the wire feeder. The power travels through the Utility Station and down to the torch via the water out/power cable, hence the name.
Due to the fact that every welding application is different because of size restrictions, limited access restrictions, positioning restrictions, etc., D/F manufactures torches in two variations, remote mount or direct mount.
Remote Mount/Robotic
The D/F wire casing/ conduit follows a different route. On a remotely mounted torch (as seen in the picture to the right), the casing/conduit comes straight out the top of the torch as the other hoses do, but attaches straight to the wire feeder with a feeder adapter. D/F refers to power pins as feeder adapters, for on D/F torch setups there is no power going to the wire feeder. These feeder adapters can hook up to any of the different Miller, Lincoln, Esab, Welding Alloys, Fronius, Tweco, etc. wire feeders. In turn the D/F casing/conduit is not powered. Its only purpose is to support the liner, which protects the casing and supports the wire.
 Direct Mount/Automatic
A directly mounted torch (as seen in the picture to the right) is very similar to a remotely mounted torch. The two differences are that the three (3) hoses come out of the torch at a 90 degree angle, and there is no casing/conduit. The feeder adapter comes out the top of the torch and connects directly to the wire feeder.
Direct Mount Torch - Remotely Mounted
A third optional mounting method exists that combines features of direct and remote mounting. A direct mount torch can be remotely mounted with a mounting arm or bracket, and a casing can be attached to the top of the torch to run to the wire feeder as a remotely mounted torch would (as specifically seen in the picture below). This unique solution might work for jobs with very limited space.
 These alternative setups utilizing the D/F Utility Station enable the D/F torches to run cooler, work above 1000 degree pre-heat, increase the weld quality (X-ray quality welds), have increased durability, and run the full range of wires thru 1/8”. It also allows for many different model options, saves on consumable costs, reduces down-time, and allows for a clean installation and ease in maintenance or replacement. The Utility Station is universal throughout the D/F product line. Every D/F torch will hook up to the same Utility Station.
Links:
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Learn more about D/F's Nozzle Thread Chaser Taps here.
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Check out D/F's Water-Cooled Remote Mount Torches here.
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Check out D/F's Water-Cooled Direct Mount Torches here.
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