People have been using welding to join metals and other materials for thousands of years. The processes and technologies used have changed rapidly since then - just like the requirements. For a long time, the durability of the joint created was the only important criterion. Nowadays, appearance, speed and efficiency are just as important - and with an ever-increasing variety of materials and applications. Welding is high-tech and, in times of digitalization and networking, requires intelligent technologies that allow users to work flexibly and economically and achieve optimum results.

Fronius has developed the TPS/i to meet these requirements: The current MIG/MAG device platform is versatile, offers extensive operating and communication functions and, last but not least, impresses with its performance. The modular welding system consists of networked and coordinated components. It has a high-performance processor and a high-speed bus. This allows users to transfer more data in less time and implement faster control loops than before. The result is increased welding speed, greater precision and improved welding results.

Function packages increase versatility

With the help of function packages, different short and pulsed arc processes such as the LSC (Low Spatter Control) and PMC (Pulse Multi Control) developed by Fronius can be used. The welder can therefore use the same system for different applications - this saves costs and simplifies operation and handling. The "cold" welding process CMT (Cold Metal Transfer) is also available for the TPS/i. It ensures high and reproducible seam quality and fast welding speeds when joining different materials, for example steel and aluminum. CMT differs from conventional MIG/MAG welding in that it has a very low heat input and allows the energy input into the component to be welded to be continuously adjusted. The result is an extremely stable arc and significantly less spatter.

Users have even more control with the new CMT process variant Cycle Step, which allows them to set both the number of individual drops per spot weld and the pause time between cycles. This allows spot welds of any size to be produced and precisely reproduced. The heat input is also minimal with Cycle Step and can be easily controlled. This allows even the thinnest sheets to be joined together and is particularly helpful for position welding with gap tolerances. The process is used, for example, in car body construction in the automotive industry. It is available for all Fronius power sources in the TPS/i series and can be used for all CMT characteristic curves.

Communicative and with an improved burner

The TPS/i is equipped with modern torches for both automated and manual welding. The newly developed Robacta Drive CMT TPS/i push-pull robot welding torch impresses with its compact size for good component accessibility and low weight for use on robots with high travel speeds. The improved PullMig torch for manual welding is not only lighter and more robust than its predecessor, but also has improved cooling, which reduces wear. Fronius has also optimized the wire guide with a dynamic and precise servo motor. As a result, the torch harmonizes with the fast arc control of the TPS/i.