Tweco 281 Thermal Arc Fabricator - Manual (Page 18)

FABRICATOR 281
2-2 April 10, 2006
2.04 General Information
The Fabricator 281 is a 208-230 Volt MIG machine with a
best in class performance of 300 Amp maximum output
@ 40% duty cycle, 24 voltage steps, digital meter and
dual cylinder racks. The completely separate wirefeeder
system has 26ft (8m) interconnection cables, spool gun
operation on demand and spot/stitch timers. The
wirefeeder, with fitted wheels, conveniently fits on a pivot
mount on top of the power source or can be lifted off the
pivot and carried up on top of equipment or machinery
up to 26 feet away. Additionally, the spool gun connects
to the wirefeeder allowing even further distance. The
Fabricator 281 is an extremely versatile all round
performer in its class.
The Fabricator 281 gives excellent performance on mild
steel, stainless steel, aluminum, silicon bronze and some
hard facing wires with Argon based shielding gases. The
Power Supply also gives excellent results on mild steel
using Carbon Dioxide shielding gas.
The Fabricator 281 is supplied as a complete package
ready to weld (apart from gas cylinder and electrode wire).
The following instructions detail how to correctly set up
the welder and give guidelines on gaining the best
production efficiency from the Power Supply. Please read
these instructions thoroughly before using your Fabricator
welder.
2.05 Safety
The following basic safety rules should always be fol-
lowed:
• Ensure the machine is correctly installed, if neces-
sary, by a qualified electrician.
• Ensure the Power Supply is grounded correctly
(electrically) in accordance with local regulations.
• Excessive heat in the welding cables may cause fire.
Never weld with poor electrical connections, dam-
aged welding cables or exceed the welding cable
current rating as this will produce excessive heat
and may cause a fire.
• Always wear the correct protective clothing for pro-
tection from sparks, molten particles and arc rays.
• When welding in confined spaces, always ensure
adequate ventilation and constant observation of the
operator.
• Keep combustible materials away from the welding
area. Have a suitable fire extinguisher handy.
• Never watch the welding arc with naked eyes. Al-
ways use and wear a welding mask fitted with the
correct filter lens.
• Do not stand on damp ground when welding.
For more complete safety advice please read section 1.
2.06 Protective Filter Lenses
Protective filter lenses are provided to reduce the intensity
of radiation entering the eye thus filtering out harmful
infrared, ultraviolet radiation and a percentage of the
visible light. Such filter lenses are incorporated within face
shields. To prevent damage to the filter lenses from molten
or hard particles an additional hard clear glass or special
plastic external cover lens should be used. This cover
lens should always be kept in place and replaced before
the damage impairs your vision while welding.
Approximate range of
welding current
Filter lens
required for
MIG
Up to 150 Shade 10
150-250 Shade 11
250-300 Shade 12
300-350 Shade 13
Over 350 Shade 14
Table 2-1: Filter lens size versus welding current
It is recommended to use a welding helmet, conforming
to the local relevant Standards when electric arc welding.
Use a welding helmet in serviceable condition with the
correct filter lens. Refer to Table 2-1 above and AWS table
in Section 1.