Ajax TOCCO Installs Twin Floating Inductor Weld Preheat System At High-Capacity, Heavy-Duty Fork Truck Manufacturer

Ajax TOCCO Magnethermic has completed the installation of a twin bead weld preheat system for a SAW (submerged arc weld) process at a manufacturer of heavy-duty fork/lift trucks. This is the second installation at this facility for Ajax TOCCO. The first install was a single-bead preheat system.

The new twin bead floating inductor weld preheat system simultaneously heats two corners of a 30-foot long, 5-ton weldment at a rate of 28 inches per minute to 250 degrees F. The sections of the weldment that are joined are 1 inch thick.

Preheat time has been reduced from 2 hours down to 10 seconds. Over 700,000 BTU’s worth of natural gas-fired infrared heaters have been replaced with a single Ajax TOCCO 35 kW TOCCOtron AC induction heating power source.

Total fabrication time was reduced by over 60%, allowing the manufacturer to produce one weldment per shift versus one weldment every 2.5 shifts.

Each of the two inductors are positioned approximately 24 inches in front of two 1000-amp sub arc weld torches. The inductors and torches move in tandem. The weldment is simultaneously heated and welded as the gantry traverses the length of the fillet.

Each of the two inductors are positioned approximately 24 inches in front of two 1000-amp sub arc weld torches. The inductors and torches move in tandem. The weldment is simultaneously heated and welded as the gantry traverses the length of the fillet.

Real-time active temperature feedback and control are provided by an Ajax TOCCO-supplied non-contact infrared sensor. The output of the induction heater is constantly varied by the PID controller to maintain a constant user-defined preheat temperature.

Ajax TOCCO air-cooled induction weld preheat systems offer many advantages

• Controlled Cooling Rates
• Increased Penetration
• Increased Feed Rates
• Improved Quality
• Reduced Consumables
• Improved Operator Comfort
• Decreased Energy Use
• Improved Safety

Ajax TOCCO Magnethermic, a subsidiary of Park-Ohio Holdings Corp., designs and manufactures world-class induction heating and melting equipment for various industries and applications throughout the world. In addition, the company provides a range of services and offerings including laboratory process development, preventive maintenance, equipment repair and parts, coil repair facilities, and installation services through its locations in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. 

E-mail: info@ajaxtocco.com 
Website: www.ajaxtocco.com