Pipeline welding system works on rugged terrain

Lincoln Electric Pipeliner AutoShield

Lincoln Electric’s mechanized Pipeliner AutoShield is designed to weld fill and cap passes without shielding gas on a mechanized orbital system. The pipeline welding machine comprises a power source, an orbital welder or “bug” (including the APEX controller and M85 HELIX weld head); and Pipeliner AutoShield HW FCAW-S wire.

It’s suitable for use on rugged terrain or for tie-in applications in which a contractor wants to mechanize even when getting a shack to a weld is challenging. The process also is suited to jobs that are not long enough to justify GMAW but require increased productivity.

According to the company, the machine offers up to 50% reduced heat input compared to FCAW-G, up to 30% reduced weld time compared to SMAW, and up to 80% decrease in weld start/stops compared to SMAW.