Wire feeders

[GaryM]

After i get my Dynasty 300 dx tigrunner, I will be looking at a MIG system. This is what i was thinking!

Invision 354MP With a D_74D dual feeding system one for stainless and the other for mild steel. Then getting The XR-Control with the 30ft Gooseneck gun

I do a lot of different things in a day since we have aluminum and stainless Tankers at the place I work. We are R stamp sertified company.

I know this will cost a bunch but its would be awsome

Gary

[HAWK]

GaryM,

Awesome set up! I use the ALT304 with the Optima pulser, XR dual schedule contol, 30' air cooled edge gun, 12 RC feeder, and love it!!!

I recently sold out of the XR system due to a declining aluminum MIG client base (the TIG has really picked up), but kept the rest.

The D74D is a killer feed system and sounds like it would suit your needs perfectly. If you are hung on the invision, why not step up into the 456 series-3 phase only, but look at the output/duty cycle.

[GaryM]

I would own this setup and use it at work(MAKES MY LIFE EASYER). So if in the future I leave the 456 could just sit there unless 3 phase was intalled at home. I will have to decide sometime soon.

The ALT304 and XR dual schedule contol I have never heard of any details.

What else would you think would be a better powersupply? Maybe the XMT series?



Gary

[HAWK]

GaryM,

The XMT series is very nice. I prefer the multi-process machines like the XMT and ALT over the Invision. They offer STICK, "Lift Arc" TIG, Scratch Start TIG, CV MIG, Voltage Sensing MIG, remote current control, arc inductance adjustment on stick and MIG, and pulsed MIG with the Optima pendant. Add a high frequency box and you have HF start on DC TIG. Not only are they a full line up in features ; They weld like nothing you have ever used! Just add the wire feeder(s) of choice, TIG torch, cables, clamps, stinger and you are ready to rock and roll! These are DC only machines. No AC output at all.

You can always add the Optima pulser to these machines to get the pulse capabilities built into the invision. Also you set it up where the Optima pendant is right with you at the feeder so adjustments are instantaneous-no walking back and forth to the power source to adjust pulse parameters! It is killer on pulsed aluminum on the 30A spoolgun or the XR push pull system.

The ALT is the "Auto-Line" cousin to the "Auto-Link" XMT 304 and it also has a lower bottom end on the V/A curve around 10 volts and 20 amps. The XMT 304 is closer to 10 volts and 50 amps. Both are good on light gauge material. The ALT will pulse spray 24 gauge aluminum if you are careful! Of course you have to have the Optima pendant.

The dual schedule I mentioned is the option on the XR controller to set up 2 individual sets of parameters for the same or different wire sizes. Simply flip the switch to toggle between parameter A for short arc and paramater B for spray depending on wire speed and voltage. You can also change wire sizes or alloys and us the toggle switch to go to your preset specs. It is a nice feature on the XR controller. These are just some things I have done.

The XMT 304 and the (ALT 304 -discontinued) are rated at 225 amps on 1 phase and 300 amps on 3 phase at 60% duty cycle. Don't let the specs fool you. Both will crank the max amps on 1 phase as long as you compensate by cutting the 3 phase rated duty cycle in half. So on 3 phase it will weld 300 amps at 60% duty cycle and on 1 phase the same 300 amps at about 30-35% duty cycle. It does work the rectifiers and input bridge components harder, but won't hurt the machine.

Either XMT is nice, but the 350 has the "Auto-Line" and is catalog rated for 1 phase through the full range if the end user changes the input cord to #6 SO tufflex or a similar soow/seoow cable. It comes factory equipped with a #8 gauge input cable. Both are 4 conductor for the optional 3 phase input.

If you would rather have an ALT, email me through the forum and I'll see if there are any new in the box left. There were 8 earlier in May this year. You just have hunt a bit.

Another option for pulse is the 60 series feeder with built in pulse programs for certain power sources, but I'd steer clear of that since this is your own equipment we are talking about. It can be a good choice in a factory production setting. You will be much happier with the Optima pulser and the feeder(s) of your choice.

[Paul Seaman]

GaryM:
I have used the invision345mp and really like it, but HAWK is right the xmt and alt machines have enough extra features that you should consider it an option.

Peace,

[GaryM]

OK I can see what you are saying about the extra features with the XMT series, but since I will have a Dynasty 300DX I dont really need the stick and tig that goes with the XMT series. So I would be paying for the extra feature that are on the Dynasty. Also XMT does not come with pulse the Invision does. Hawk said that the 60M wire feeder with pulse could be used with the XMT. That is a extra cost
Also the D-74D would be really nice not having to change wire.


What does the inductance do for MIG system? ON aluminum?


Gary

[HAWK]

GaryM,

I recommend the Optima pulser at about $875 from a decent dealer. I just mentioned the 60M as a possibility, but would much rather go with the Optima and the wire feeder of your choice-D74D.

Yes the Dynasty has stick, but the XMT really welds stick a lot better than the Dynasty. The inductance control acts like a dig control for stick to crate a more forceful arc. On MIG is wets out the puddle. The higher the inductance the wetter the pudle will be. On aluminum I run about 35%. I belive the Invision has inductance as well.