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NEW MIG WELDER ON AUTO SCENE


NEW MIG WELDER ON AUTO SCENE

Florida Automotive Journal
December 1970


Airco Fast - Pak IVNew MIG welder for autobody repair shops, introduced by Airco Welding Products, features spot and seam welding capability in a single mobile package.  Called the Fast - Pak IV, the welder requires a minimum of operator training and supervision.  The simplicity of operation and versatility of the unit is expected to cut autobody repair costs sub- over conventional methods.
Spot Welds made by MIG welder on an auto body (see photo) illustrates the low heat output of the unit.  The printed decal next to the weld area is virtually undamaged by the welding operation.  The Fast - Pak IV permits welding of thin material with minimum distortion and the concentrated heat permits work near body trim, windows and other non - metallic materials without removing them and without causing excessive paint damage around the work area.
A new MIG welder, that is expected revolutionize autobody repair procedures by providing safe, high - strength repairs at lower costs, was introduced by Airco Welding Products Division of Air Reduction Co., Inc..

Called Fast - Pak IV, the welder has both spot and seam welding capability and permits an autobody shop to repair sheet metal and structural parts of vehicles at a fraction of the present costs compared to conventional methods.

A major advantage of the Airco welder is its low heat output, which permits welding of thin material with minimum distortion.  Because the heat is concentrated, the welder can work near body trim, windows and other nonmetallic materials without removing them and without causing excessive paint damage to metal around the work area.

Welding with the Fast - Pak IV requires a minimum of training and supervision.  To weld, the operator simply selects one of four welding positions with a single control knob and the machine automatically presets the proper welding voltage and wire feed speed for the material thickness to be welded.  The four positions are 24/22 gauge, 20/18 gauge, 16 gauge to 1/4" and spot welding.

In the spot welding position, a spot weld timer control must be present for any time from 0.5 to two seconds.  Once the spot weld is started, the automatic timer shuts off the current when the preset time has elapsed.

Spot welding can be accomplished from one side of the workpiece, which reduces work preparation time and makes it easier to weld in tight places.

The Fast - Pak IV uses only one size wire electrode which eliminates the need for different jobs and reduces stock inventory problems.  The Airco unit used pre-mixed Fast - Pak IV Shielding Gas which eliminates costly premixing operations and reduces stock inventory problems.

The Airco welder operates from a single phase AC power from 200 to 250 volts with a built - in adjustment for available line voltage.

In addition to the combination power source/feeder unit, the Airco package includes an air - cooled 360 degree swivel gooseneck welding gun with three interchangeable nozzles - two for continuous welding and one for spot welding.  A 10-foot long cable, hose casing and liner are also included.  The power/feeder unit has its own carriage with provisions for mounting a gas cylinder to permit easy movement of the entire welding package from one job to another.




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