ESAB Welding & Cutting recently introduced the Miniarc Rogue ES 180i, a portable Stick/Lift TIG inverter with professional arc performance and controls such as adjustable hot start, adjustable arc force and power factor correction.
The unit weighs 18.2 pounds, measures 13.5 inches by 6 inches by 10.4 inches, delivers a maximum output of 180 amps at 25% duty cycle and uses 115-230-volt 50/60 Hz primary power.
Miniarc Rogue’s next-level control technology produces a smooth welding arc with all types of Stick electrodes, including E70818 and E6010, and it has the power to run 5/32-inch electrodes, the company said. The Lift TIG (DC TIG) function provides positive arc starts without the use of high frequency. It delivers a stable TIG arc down to 10 amps, giving welders the control they need to work on thin metal or delicate components. Users include mechanical contractors and those in general fabrication, maintenance and repair, rental, process pipe, food/beverage, farming and home workshops.
“Miniarc Rogue will cause the industry to re-think its perception of power, performance and price in the compact Stick/TIG inverter category,” said Jay Coubrough, director of product marketing at ESAB. “Other welders with its features can cost twice as much.”
Miniarc Rogue’s professional features include:
- 115-230-volt primary power flexibility enables users to work in a wide variety of locations. Flexible automatic input voltage compensation ensures a steady welding arc throughout the entire input power range, making it ideal for use with generator power, which often fluctuates.
- Power factor correction (PFC) ensures it draws less primary current. As a result, users can use a smaller circuit breaker and reduce the worry of nuisance trips when welding at full output. Using the latest technology PFC circuit also enables welding with up to 110 yards of cable extensions, further increasing location flexibility.
- Adjustable hot start function increases current beyond the set value for a few milliseconds to help establish the arc. It especially helps with low-hydrogen electrodes, which can be notoriously difficult-to-start. Its adjustable arc force control increases amperage when the voltage drops below a preset threshold. As a result, operators can hold a shorter arc length without the electrode sticking, which is beneficial when welding in narrow gaps, in corners and out-of-position.
- Compared to other welders, it boasts a higher open circuit voltage (OCV) of 78 volts, so it promotes better Stick arc starts.
- It comes with a shoulder strap, plastic case and rugged work cable and electrode holder. Its digital meters are visible up from 75 feet away, and an optional remote controller allows users to adjust current settings without needing to go back to the machine. A robust fiberglass-molded housing is built to withstand impact, and the weather resistant, IP23S rating makes the unit suitable for use in tough applications.