Process: TIG
Product: Transtig AC/DC 252

Established by Bruce Hazelgrove and located in princess Risborough, Cloud Nine Developments (CND) specialises in the design and construction of powerful motorbikes which are a little bit out of the ordinary. Providing more than the average mass production superbike for fanatical customers, CND has purchased a state-of-the-art Murex Transtig AC/DC 252 Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding system for use in the manufacture of the superbikes.

A wide variety of materials are used in the construction of CND's machines. Tubular aluminium alloy sections in combination with CNC machined aluminium components create a light but extremely strong frame. . For other bike models, stainless steel or straight mild steel is used to fabricate the required subassemblies.

With arc welding such a key part of the construction process, the Transtig 252 can make the highest quality welding in aluminium, stainless steel and mild steels, and a wide variety of other materials. The need for both sound mechanical properties and a cosmetic finish to the joint, makes TIG welding the obvious choice. The superb AC arc characteristics and adjustable AC wave balance control provided by the Murex Transtig enable the highest quality aluminium TIG welds to be made, even where differential heatsink effects and access problems are present.

Stainless or mild steel components are welded using the DC TIG process. Providing a weld thickness range extending down to as little as 0.25mm (10A) the Transtig AC/DC 252 provides the capabilty to automatically slope the welding current in and out at the beginning and of welding. This is vital in that it ensures the initial heat build up in the joint is fully controlled, as well as enabling the crater left in weld metal at the end of welding to be properly filled. Where weld overlaps are required, for example on tubular joints, the slope-in and out facilities mean that the weld start and finish can be tapered into one another so as to be invisible.