Migatronic Commander 400 AC/DC is an industrial TIG power source for alternating and direct current, liquid cooled. You set the current from 5 to 400 A, at a 100% duty cycle the machine gives 310 A, and the supply is 3 x 400 V.
The new successor to the Commander for AC/DC TIG welding is the water-cooled Migatronic PI 500 AC/DC (the site is in Polish).
What this machine is for
With alternating current you weld aluminium and its alloys, because the positive phase breaks the layer of aluminium oxide on the pool. With direct current you take mild steel, stainless steel and copper. The range from 5 to 400 A covers thin sheet and thick sections, so one source handles repairs and production.
The machine works in workshops, on building sites and in production plants. A duty cycle of 400 A at 35%, 355 A at 60% and 310 A at 100% means that at currents typical for TIG you weld without pauses for the source to cool. A liquid cooled torch holds the temperature during long welds.
A separate function of this model is preheating of the electrode. After the pilot arc is struck the electrode gets direct current, and you set the preheating time from minus 9 to plus 9 for the diameter of the electrode and the angle of its tip. Thanks to that the arc does not go out at the start on alternating current, and the beginning of the weld comes out the same as its middle.
Features and equipment
- Preheating of the electrode with direct current after the pilot arc is struck, with adjustment from minus 9 to plus 9 for the electrode diameter and the tip angle.
- Work in AC and DC mode with the same current range, from 5 to 400 A.
- Anti-stick at 5 A, that is cutting off the current when the electrode sticks to the material.
- Pilot arc from 5 A at 4%, the pilot arc holds the ionisation at very low currents.
- Hot-start from 0 to 100%, a lift of the current at the start shortens the time to get a pool.
- Gas flow before welding 0.2 s and after welding from 0 to 30 s, shielding of the crater until the weld cools.
- Current slope down from 0 to 10 s, a smooth closing of the crater without a crack.
- Adjustment of the AC-T balance from 0 to 100%, that is of the split between oxide cleaning and penetration.
- Adjustment of the AC frequency from 10 to 500 Hz, a higher frequency narrows the arc and focuses it on the weld.
- Adjustment of the shielding gas flow from the panel.
- Liquid cooling with a circuit for the torch.
Technical data
| Brand | Migatronic |
|---|---|
| Current type | AC/DC |
| Supply voltage and fuse | 3 x 400 V, 25 A |
| Power draw | max. 22.5 kVA |
| Efficiency | 0.85 |
| DC welding current | from 5 to 400 A |
| AC welding current | from 5 to 400 A |
| Duty cycle | 310 A at 100%, 355 A at 60%, 400 A at 35% |
| Open circuit voltage DC | 85 V |
| Anti-stick | 5 A |
| Pilot arc | min. 5 A at 4% |
| Hot-start | from 0 to 100% |
| Gas pre-flow | 0.2 s |
| Gas post-flow | from 0 to 30 s |
| Slope down | from 0 to 10 s |
| AC-T balance | from 0 to 100% |
| AC frequency | from 10 to 500 Hz |
| Protection class | IP 21 |
| Cooling | liquid |
What you get
- TIG torch 8 m
- earth cable 4 m
What to watch out for
For work you need a 3 x 400 V connection with a 25 A fuse, because at full load the source draws up to 22.5 kVA. The efficiency of 0.85 says how much of that power reaches the arc. The open circuit voltage in DC mode is 85 V, and the housing has protection class IP 21, so the machine suits a hall and a workshop, not rain. Before start up check the fluid level in the cooling circuit and that the torch hoses are clear, because work without flow destroys the handle.
The TIG torch is 8 m and the earth cable 4 m. A source with a liquid circuit is heavy, so for transport take a trolley or a pallet and two people. Look the unit over before you buy and ask about the equipment that is not on the list.
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.
