Sandvik was introduced as a pilot customer to Kemppi’s X5 FastMig, a versatile powerhouse that offers opportunities for improving welding productivity by increasing ergonomics, weld quality, and usability.

Sandvik is an engineering group in mining and rock excavation, metal-cutting and materials technology, established in 1862 and employing worldwide over 40,000 persons. Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy Turku factory manufactures loading and transportation vehicles for the mining industry. The company employs approximately 600 persons, of which 10% is welding personnel. Sandvik’s operations are based on unique expertise in materials technology, continuous investments in research and development, extensive knowledge about industrial processes, and close customer cooperation.

Ergonomics and ease of use in daily welding

During 2020, Sandvik spent several months on piloting Kemppi’s new multi-process welding machine for industrial welding, X5 FastMig. The main focus was on tasks related to MIG/MAG welding. During the piloting, Sandvik was also introduced to WiseSteel, a useful special process with outstanding steel welding performance.

The ergonomics and usability of X5 FastMig were especially acknowledged by Sandvik. In recent years, welders' work ergonomics has received a lot of attention, and it has also been one of the design principles of X5 FastMig. In addition, Flexlite GX welding guns with a long neck are a natural extension of the welder’s hand. Their reach is excellent, and the arc does not overheat the welder’s hand.

Having the possibility of hanging up wire feeders in a dual setup significantly speeds up Sandvik’s daily welding production. There is no need to change the wire spool between different welding applications, which saves time. The top-loading wire feeder has also proven to be user-friendly and easy to use.

X5 FastMig utilizes the latest ignition technology, Touch Sense Ignition. Its precise, wire-retracting ignition reduces spatter, while the WiseSteel special process does the same, tackling the challenges of globular arc range.

In addition, Sandvik appreciates the graphical user interface of the wire feeder; the main menus are available in the local language and there are no abbreviations that are difficult to interpret. For the welders, it has been both easy and comfortable to weld with X5 FastMig.