VDAB purchases 50 ESAB welding machines

VDAB, the public employment service of Flanders, Belgium, has purchased 25 universal welding machines from ESAB, plus 25 of ESAB’s Tig welding machines. These will be used at 11 different sites throughout Flanders for training and certifying operatives in possession of different skill levels, working in industries including automotive components, construction, and a wide variety of light and medium engineering industries.

Staff at VDAB prepared a specification against which suppliers were invited to tender for a four-year contract to supply the welding machines and provide ongoing support. The tender specification covered welding machine functionality, price, warranty, durability, and after-sales support and service. ESAB was able to achieve the highest score and get the order.

Some of the VDAB training establishments teach many different types of welding, while others focus on Tig welding, so ESAB tendered to supply 25 Aristo U4000iw universal welding machines with 3004w U8 water-cooled wire feeders, U82 Plus control panels and PSF 410w torches, together with 25 Origo TIG 4300iw TA24 AC-DC machines for teaching Tig welding.

The Aristo U4000iw kits are high-specification, versatile welding systems that can be used for MMA, MIG/MAG, pulsed Mig, Tig and pulsed Tig welding, as well as carbon arc gouging. Notable features include QSet ‘artificial intelligence’ that simplifies and reduces the time needed for set-ups, minimises spatter, and increases both quality and productivity. In addition, ESAB’s SuperPulse technology is a modified pulsed spray and Pulsed Short arc processes that controls the heat input for bridging variable gaps with a spatter-free arc. Furthermore, SuperPulse enables users to achieve a finish that is visually similar to that obtained with Tig welding, but with the speed of Mig welding. Another feature is TrueArcVoltage, which ensures the weld is always created at the correct voltage, regardless of the length of the welding cables and any associated voltage drop.

The Origo TIG 4300iw kits are capable of producing very high quality welds on virtually any weldable metal. High-specification functions include True AC rating, which maintains the true current at the preset level, and QWave that optimises the AC wave form for a smooth, stable arc and very low noise.

As part of the four-year contract, ESAB is providing a four -year warranty as well as full service, support and training for VDAB instructors over the period of the contract.

Eric van den Bergh, Welding Instructor at VDAB, commented: “I have used ESAB welding machines for over 20 years and have always been impressed by the quality, performance and ease of maintenance; ESAB welding machine are more than exceptional. The 50 new machines are some of the best available and have replaced older ESAB machines that have served VDAB very well. Our instructors are very pleased with the new welding systems, and the service from ESAB has been equally good.”

Edited from press release by Angharad Lock

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/product-news/06062016/vdab-purchases-50-esab-welding-machines-189/