The Kemppi X8 is a digital MIG/MAG power source with liquid cooling. You set the welding current from 20 A in MIG/MAG and from 15 A in MMA, up to 400 A. The figures 400 A at 60% and 320 A at 100% duty cycle belong to the X8 MIG 400 variant; we read the variant of this unit from the rating plate. You set the parameters from the wireless Control Pad panel, without walking up to the power source.
What this machine is for
This is equipment for a plant that keeps watch over the welding parameters and answers for joints put through radiographic and ultrasonic testing. The power block is an inverter, and the processor controls the dynamics of the power source on a microsecond scale, so the arc follows the changes in the joint. A housing from high impact plastic shields a system in which the electronics are kept apart from ferromagnetic dirt, and the feeder chamber has its own light, which makes changing the spool and the rolls easier.
The way it is handled makes the biggest difference. The Control Pad connects wirelessly, works in gloves and lets you change the settings on a large structure without going down to the machine. The documentation of the series names the WiseFusion, WiseRoot+ and WisePenetration+ processes and support for digital welding procedure sheets and integration with the WeldEye system. WiseFusion lays a high frequency pulsing over the spray arc, holds a short and focused arc no matter the free wire stick out and raises the welding speed by 25%, limiting lack of side fusion in multi run welds. WiseRoot+ controls the moment the droplet transfers on the root layer, so the root comes out flat, fused into the edges of the groove, without a backing bar. WisePenetration+ holds the set current no matter the distance of the torch from the material, so the heat input and the depth of penetration stay the same.
The digital welding procedure sheets show the parameters straight on the Control Pad screen, and the power source blocks welding outside the range approved by the process engineer. The maker aimed these machines at the offshore industry, at power generation, at pressure vessel production and at the chemical industry, that is where a correction of a joint costs many times more than the welding itself.
Features and equipment
- Current adjustment range from 15 to 400 A with 400 A at a 60% duty cycle and 320 A at 100%: a reserve for thick welds and a high current in continuous work.
- Wireless Control Pad with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: you change the settings from the station, the screen is reinforced and works in gloves.
- X8 Wire Feeder with an alternating two roll drive and a lit chamber: you change the spool and check the rolls without an extra lamp.
- Integrated liquid cooling module: the circuit takes the heat from the torch in long work at a high current.
- WiseFusion: a high frequency pulsing laid over the spray arc, a shorter arc and a welding speed higher by 25%.
- WiseRoot+: a short arc for root layers of pipes and plate, a flat root without a backing bar.
- WisePenetration+: the current held steady no matter the free wire stick out, a constant depth of penetration.
- Support for digital welding procedure sheets: the parameters are visible on the panel, the machine warns you when a set current limit is exceeded and correcting the settings is still possible.
- Integration with the WeldEye system: you sync the production data after you connect to a network, and otherwise the machine works without the internet.
- Work with Kemppi Flexlite GX torches: you pick the accessories from the maker catalogue.
Technical data
| Brand | Kemppi |
|---|---|
| Type | digital inverter MIG/MAG power source |
| Current adjustment range | from 15 to 400 A |
| Welding current at a 60% duty cycle | 400 A |
| Welding current at a 100% duty cycle | 320 A |
| User interface | wireless Control Pad (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) |
| Wire feeder | X8 Wire Feeder, four roll mechanism with two motors |
| Torch cooling | liquid, integrated module |
What to watch out for
Supply according to the operating manual: 3 x 380 to 460 V ±10%, 50/60 Hz, 32 A fuse, which matches the 400 V stated on this card. The processes of the Wise family are licensed: which of them are active in this unit we check together with you on the licence list in the panel, and you confirm that they suit your welding procedure with a test on your own joint. The Control Pad works wirelessly and is a separate item of the set, check whether it is there together with the feeder and the cable package.
The cooling system goes through a flush and a tightness test at a pressure of 4 bar with us, we also check the pump and the fans at a full arc load, and even so it is worth watching the fluid level and the tightness of the quick couplings in daily work. The machine needs no permanent connection to the internet, the network is needed only to sync the data and to update the software.
How we sell used machines
This unit was checked in our service workshop in Krotoszyn with measurements to PN-EN 60974-4 and a load test. The price includes the first year of the basic service package: an inspection with cleaning of the machine and a validation measurement. Further years can be added. We ship across the European Union, collection in person by appointment.
