OPERATION
MAKING A WELD
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Read and understand this entire section
before operating your machine.
Do not attempt to use this equipment until you have
thoroughly read all operating and maintenance manuals
supplied with your machine. They include important safety
precautions, detailed engine starting, operating and
maintenance instructions and parts lists.
ELECTRIC SHOCK can kill.
•
Do not touch electrically live parts such as
output terminals or internal wiring.
•
Insulate yourself from the work and
ground.
•
Always wear dry insulating gloves.
ENGINE EXHAUST can kill.
•
Use in open, well ventilated areas or vent
exhaust outside
•
Do not stack anything near the engine.
MOVING PARTS can injure.
• Do not operate with doors open or guards off.
• Stop engine before servicing.
• Keep away from moving parts
Only qualified personnel should operate this equipment.
The serviceability of a product or structure utilizing the
welding programs is and must be the sole responsibility of
the builder/user. Many variables beyond the control of The
Lincoln Electric Company affect the results obtained in
applying these programs. These variables include, but are
not limited to, welding procedure, plate chemistry and
temperature, weldment design, fabrication methods and
service requirements. The available range of a welding
program may not be suitable for all applications, and the
build/user is and must be solely responsible for welding
program selection.
Choose the electrode material, electrode size, shielding gas, and
process (GMAW, GMAW-P etc.) appropriate for the material to be
welded.
Select the weld mode that best matches the desired welding
process. The standard weld set shipped with the Vantage
®
441X
/LE500X
encompasses a wide range of common processes
that will meet most needs. If a special weld mode is desired,
contact your local Lincoln Electric sales representative.
All adjustments are made through the user interface. Because of
the different configuration options, your system may not have all
of the following adjustments.
See ACCESSORIES section for kits and options available to use
with the Vantage
®
441X
/LE500X
, visit lincolnelectric.com, or
contact your local Lincoln Electric sales representatives.
DUTY CYCLE
Duty cycle is the percentage of time the load is being applied in a
10 minute period. For example, a 60% duty cycle represents 6
minutes of load and 4 minutes of no load in a 10 minute period.
NOTE: The duty cycles for the IEC rated output and max output are
listed on the front nameplate of the Vantage
®
441X
/LE500X
.
DEFINITION OF WELDING MODES
Non-Synergic Welding Modes
• A
non-synergic welding
mode requires all welding process
variables to be set by the operator.
Synergic Welding Modes
• A
synergic welding
mode offers the simplicity of single knob
control. The machine will select the correct voltage and
amperage based on the Wire Feed Speed (WFS) set by the
operator.
BASIC WELDING CONTROLS
Weld Mode
Selecting a weld mode determines the output characteristics of
the Vantage
®
441X
/LE500X
power source. Weld modes are
developed with a specific electrode material, electrode size, and
shielding gas. Refer to the WELDER OPERATION section for a
more completed description of the weld modes programmed into
the machine at the factory.
Wire Feed Speed (WFS)
In synergic welding modes (synergic CV, GMAW-P), WFS is the
dominant control parameter. The user adjusts WFS according to
factors such as wire size, penetration requirements, heat input, etc.
The Vantage
®
441X
/LE500X
then uses the WFS setting to adjust the
voltage and current according to settings contained in the Vantage
®
441X
/LE500X
.
In non-synergic modes, the WFS control behaves like a
conventional power source where WFS and voltage are
independent adjustments. Therefore, to maintain proper arc
characteristics, the operator must adjust the voltage to
compensate for any changes made to the WFS.
Amps
In constant current modes, the OUTPUT CONTROL knob adjusts the
welding amperage.
Volts
In constant voltage modes, the OUTPUT CONTROL knob adjusts
the welding voltage.
WARNING
WARNING
B-9
VANTAGE
®
441X
/LE500X