If it’s thinner (1mm or 2mm), K-TIG welds in TIG (melt-in) mode. In this mode the weld will be single pass,
If it’s thicker than K-TIG's maximum penetration, outstanding productivity benefits are realised by combining a deep full-penetration K-TIG root pass, with a shallow v-prep which is filled using the K-TIG wire feeder. This equates to fewer passes, reduces fill and reduced welding times for any thickness. The filler pass can be performed by K-TIG or by another welding process.
Like all
The K-TIG system welds effortlessly in 1G and 2G welding positions. It’s not intended for orbital (5G/6G) applications.
Copper and aluminium cannot be welded with K-TIG.
To ensure your success we will review your material mill certificate and we’ll weld a coupon for you. Our goal is to allow you to leverage our expertise to ensure outstanding results for your company.
K-TIG can readily weld pipe diameters down to 3 inches NB (89mm OD). The tie-in on pipes with diameters smaller than 3 inches become challenging as the weld is completed within seconds and the tie-in (joining the beginning and end of the weld) must be performed over
We’re proud to say, the K-TIG technology has been adopted by some of the world's most advanced and productive fabricators. Our customers range from multinationals like GE and Siemens to industry specialists such as Bilfinger,
K-TIG has exported to 20 countries.
We actively partner with leading advanced manufacturing
What productivity gains and savings can you expect in your application? Check out some case studies here.
A K-TIG welding system is delivered as a fully integrated welding cell comprised of the K-TIG 1000 controller, torch, power supply, water cooler, wire feeder and torch mount with compensating slide.
The only additional requirement is some form of automation to provide consistent torch travel speed - this can be almost any kind of welding automation including rotators, positioners, turntables, seamers, carriages, robots, column and booms and many others. During commissioning, the K-TIG controller will be integrated with your automation equipment.
Customers with applications in K-TIG’s ideal thickness range and materials can reduce their welding costs by in excess of 90%.
Switching from GTAW to K-TIG
Relative to conventional TIG/GTAW welding, productivity gains and overall savings of more than 70% are typical, and savings in excess of 90% are common.
Switching from Plasma to K-TIG
Relative to Plasma Arc Welding (PAW), productivity gains of more than 50% are typical.
How are the savings achieved?
Incredibly fast welding times result in dramatic reductions in gas and power usage. Large single pass welds significantly reduce, or eliminate, grinding and reworking. Often edge bevelling is eliminated in favour of simple square butt preparations.
K-TIG can calculate your savings and productivity gains, offering:
On request, K-TIG will generate a K-TIG Savings Assessment at no cost for potential customers with applications which are within K-TIG’s normal thickness ranges
Customers with applications in corrosion resistant materials in an ideal thickness range generally save in excess of 90% relative to their current welding costs
Request a K-TIG Savings Assessment to calculate the specific savings on your application.
Download a case study to review examples of customer savings.
K-TIG is a GTAW variant, not a new welding process. K-TIG is code permissible in any application in which TIG/GTAW is allowable.
ASME
K-TIG is one of a large number of GTAW modes/variants as defined by ASME.
ASME doesn’t distinguish between GTAW and it’s variants (ASME under ASME QW-256 (Essential, Supplementary Essential and Non-Essential Variables for GTAW)). GTAW and its variants are all considered the same process under ASME.
Autogenous Welding
Autogenous welding is an acceptable industry welding mode for many applications and can be qualified to rules of ASME Section IX, QW-256 for K-GTAW. Welding Procedure Specifications can be qualified for KTIG welds both with and without the addition of a wire consumable.
Wire can be added to any K-TIG weld. Typically the amount of wire added is nominal, 1-10% of what would normally be used for a conventional melt-in GTAW weld.
Procedure development for a K-TIG weld typically takes minutes or hours, not days or weeks. The Keyhole TIG process is simple and can be used in broad operating windows.
Repeatability
K-TIG welds are extremely consistent. Once the procedure has been established, it can be saved to the controller. That ensures high quality, repeatable welds that are fully compliant with an approved procedure.
The running costs of K-TIG welding systems are extremely low. K-TIG’s high speed welding significantly reduces arc-on costs, like gas and power, and system consumables are negligible.
Consumables
There is no requirement for filler material with the K-TIG system. If wire is desirable, usually 1-10% of previous wire volume will be used.
K-TIG electrodes aren’t consumed in the weld pool. In most applications electrode life is extremely long. Sharpening at the commencement of each shift is usually adequate. A single packet of 5 K-TIG electrodes will last most fabricators 6 months or more.
Carbon Footprint
Gas consumption and power consumption and are typically reduced by more than 80%.
If the travel speed is consistent, your existing welding automation equipment can generally be used (and integrated) with the K-TIG system.
Integration
During commissioning, the K-TIG controller can be integrated with your automation equipment. The K-TIG system can be integrated very simply, or extensively so the entire welding sequence is reduced to a push-button solution.
Welding Machine
It is necessary to use the K-TIG power unit due to the high level of integration which is required between the controller and the power unit. It is not possible to connect the K-TIG controller to other power supplies.
K-TIG can provide a detailed ROI (Return on Investment) assessment for your specific application - we call these our Weld Savings Assessment. In general terms, the ROI on a K-TIG system can be as little as several months due to the dramatic cost reductions.
If you are a fabricator welding corrosion resistant materials, K-TIG will review your application and provide you with a Weld Savings Assessment, at no cost. These assessments are compiled individually by our team and will be emailed to you personally. Our team will be available to you for any follow-up questions you may have regarding your assessment.
See the K-TIG Savings Assessment.
K-TIG USA
+1 724 720 9803
2009 Mackenzie Way, Suite 100, Cranberry Twp, PA 16066, USA
K-TIG EUROPE, ASIA PACIFIC & MIDDLE EAST
+61 8 7324 6800
Building 5, 9 William Street, Mile End, SA 5031, Australia
Sales Enquiry
sales-enquiry@k-tig.com
Distributor Enquiry
distributor-enquiry@k-tig.com
Technical Support
technical-support@k-tig.com
Keyhole TIG Limited is the subsidiary of the publicly listed entity K-TIG Limited and trades on the Australian Stock Exchange with the ticker code KTG. Keyhole TIG’s registered address is Building 5, 9 William Street, Mile End, South Australia, Australia. We believe that the information contained in this email is accurate and/or has been obtained from sources that we believe to be accurate. This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. Please notify the sender by e-mail if you’ve received this e-mail by mistake. If for any reason you would like to be removed from one or more types of communication from K-TIG, you can update your preferences here. If you would like to be added to Keyhole TIG’s contact database to receive occasional updates on K-TIG technology and the rapidly emerging area of Keyhole TIG/GTAW welding, you can subscribe here.
