17
WHAT EFFECT DOES THE PRESSURE SETTING HAVE ON THE WELD?
The adjustable pressure control of the electrodes is to ensure the optimum electrical
contact between track and ribbon. Insufficient pressure will cause excessive heating
between ribbon and electrode and produce a cold weld, or the ribbon sticking to the
electrode. Excessive force will damage the ribbon, track or substrate.
WHAT EFFECT DOES THE ELECTRODE GAP HAVE ON THE WELD?
The larger the gap width, the more power required and therefore the higher the
heating effect.
WHAT EFFECT DOES TIME HAVE ON THE WELD?
Think of the 'time' adjustments as just 'fine tuning'. Higher time settings will give
more heat.
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM TRACK I CAN REPAIR?
The standard reel ribbon width sizes are:
0.003" (0.075mm)
0.004" (0.10mm)
0.005" (0.13mm)
0.006" (0.15mm)
0.008" (0.20mm)
0.010" (0.25mm)
0.012" (0.30mm)
0.013" (0.38mm)
0.020" (0.50mm)
0.040" (1.00mm)
WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM WIDTH I CAN REPAIR?
Any width. Just weld the ribbon side by side.
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT A REDUCED WIDTH TRACK OVER A LONG LENGTH
OF SAY, 2" (50mm)?
Weld as before but this time, lay the ribbon on a coat of adhesive on the bare
laminate. (Not under the area to weld).
WHAT IS THE RESULT IF THE TIME/AMPS SETTINGS ARE INCORRECT?
Too high amps
=
Open circuit (o/c)
Too low amps
=
No weld or shallow weld or 'dry joint'
Too high time
=
Burning or softening of substrate or o/c
Too low time
=
No weld or small weld area
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE.
IF THE TIME/AMPS SETTINGS SELECTED ARE FAR TOO HIGH FOR THE
PARTICULAR MATERIAL BEING WELDED, THE MACHINE WILL NOT
ATTEMPT TO OPERATE. IN THIS CASE YOU MUST LOWER THE SETTINGS
MANUALLY AND RE-TRY.