In order to accurately read the residual oxygen level inside a tube, pipe, welding chamber or enclosure during the act of purging, weld purging experts Huntingdon Fusion Techniques (HFT) has designed a range of weld purge monitors, including the PurgEye Desk, the PurgeNet and the Purge Monitor, to suit all applications and budgets.

“The PurgEye Desk replaces the old PurgEye 500, but with new and innovative features. One huge addition is our revolutionary PurgeNet, for the in-line connection of several accessories, which allows the weld purge monitor to actually control welding systems based upon oxygen levels,” says HFT CEO Georgia Gascoyne.

The company explains that weld purging is the act of removing oxygen, water vapour and any other gases or vapours that might be harmful to a welding joint, from the vicinity of a weld before, during and after welding metals, such as stainless steel, titanium, zirconium and nickel alloys. “Such gases may combine with the metal to form undesirable compounds that may reduce corrosion resistance or may be instrumental in creating cracks or other structural defects in metals.”

The PurgEye Desk launched last month is ideal for use with welding chambers and enclosures as well as orbital welding machines and other automatic welding systems, he explains.

Gascoyne points out that the PurgEye Desk has automatic fault-finding diagnostics that can detect and report a number of possible faults, and that it also features an organic light-emitting diode display giving brighter, sharper readings at longer distances. The high-frequency proof instrument measures oxygen levels from 1 000 parts per million (ppm) down to 1 ppm, accurate to 10 ppm.

“PurgeNet controls welding power sources such as orbital welding machines and any other automatic welding systems, to switch them on and off according to oxygen levels. PurgeNet can be used with the integrated PurgeLog Software to transfer weld purge data for quality control of welds. PurgeNet connects with other smart accessories for weld purging, one of which is the Visual Purge Alarm, which gives an indication during welding in case of rising or falling oxygen levels,” he explains.

The PurgEye Desk also has a unique, fast response, long-life sensor with little maintenance requirement. The monitor comes complete with an integral pump to deliver the exhausting purge gas to the measuring sensor on a consistent basis to allow precision control of the welding systems.

This weld purge monitor is suitable for use in ultra clean conditions, such as in cryogenics, food and drinks, semi-conductor, aerospace, pharmaceutical sectors and any other process industries.

The original weld purge monitor was invented by HFT in the 1970s and with over 40 years of innovation, design and manufacturing experience, the company now has a family of PurgEye weld purge monitors to measure oxygen levels from atmospheric content, which is 20.94%, down to 1 ppm.

“All of HFT’s weld purge monitors and inflatable tube, pipe and pipeline weld purging systems are manufactured in the UK. We do not sacrifice on quality. “We guarantee to help our users to achieve zero colour welds, time and time again,” says HFT chairperson Ron Sewell, outlining that HFT is a weld purging innovator, designer and manufacturer with offices located internationally.