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Low-hy Rods – Baked Not Fried!
When a welding electrode is removed from its factory container, the coating is vulnerable to absorbing moisture from the air. Moisture contamination in an electrode releases hydrogen into the metal during the welding process, which can cause the weld to crack and become brittle. Low Hydrogen, or low-hy rods, are…
On Your Arcs …Get Set …Weld!
Still Suffering from those Pesky Post-Olympic Blues? Have no fear. The Games are far from over, even for Welders!All hail the fabulous sport of Wheelchair Rugby. Did you know Wheelchair Rugby was invented in 1977 – which apparently makes it quite young in terms of sporting activities – and premiered at the…
Flashback Arrestors for Welding and Cutting Applications
Did you know that approximately 80% of all incidents are related to human error? With statistics like this, there’s no question that processes within the welding and cutting industry should be carried out by fully trained personnel. Working with Acetylene, Propane or Hydrogen is a relatively safe process if handled correctly, but it…
The Importance of Dry Air when Plasma Cutting
When operating a Plasma Cutter you need to have dry air. Dry air is important because if moisture is present in the line it will travel with the air and exit the end of the torch. Although not necessarily dangerous, water will change the gas mixture inside the torch and…
A new Era in Welding Training – Launch of the Welding & Fabrication eLearning DVD
Within hours of launching the Welding & Fabrication E-Learning DVD Package, Rapid took its first order! Rapid Welding is proud to announce the launch of an innovative and modern instruction package from Weldability Sif, consisting of a Welding and Fabrication eLearning DVD which gives learners the opportunity to develop a…
Three Good Reasons To Have Your Gas Equipment Safety Checked
Three Good Reasons To Call Rapid About Your Gas Equipment Statutory Instrument 2000 No. 128: The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 requires equipment to be examined regularly. If not properly maintained, Gas equipment can be a hazard and using unsafe or unchecked equipment could result in serious injuries in the…
Tips On Staying Cool At Work
So it’s hot, finally, and despite our grumblings that the Great British summer was never going to arrive, I’m sure there are a few of us – namely those operating heated welding tools under the blue, cloudless sky whilst shrouded in PPE – who wish it would cool down just a tad. Heat exhaustion…
Industry Applications for Plasma Cutting Systems
Plasma cutting is an efficient and very accurate method of cutting through metals, first developed to improve speed and accuracy in cutting and joining metal components needed for military vehicles and aircraft. Nowadays, plasma cutting – both manual and machine – can be found in a diverse range of military and commercial industries around the world, the purpose being…
Just in case you missed it!
For all you F1 fanatics and Kemppi Cohorts out there, I have trawled the internet for evidence of the collaboration at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this weekend – just in case they were going too fast for you to see the logo on the rear wing end plate or the heavy rain…
First Orders for the Hypertherm Powermax 105
We are extremely pleased to announce the first order for the new Hypertherm Powermax 105 has been placed by Guernsey based company, Fusion Engineering. The New Powermax 105 from Hypertherm replaced the Powermax 1650 in June 2012. It is 3-phase only and is available in 2-voltage models. 400v and 230-400v auto-sensing versions. These machines…
Welding Helmets – How Technology Has Changed The Face Of Welding!
How Times Have Changed! While on holiday in France – spending a few cultured moments in a local antique shop before the bar opened – I found what I guessed to be a vintage welding helmet. Taking in the cumbersome, somewhat basic looking contraption hanging from the cobweb strewn rafters, I could…
Rapid Excellence!
Rapid has recently started the process of obtaining an ISO 9001 accreditation with LRQA, a company who have developed a new approach to assessing and improving current management systems and enabling businesses to improve their performance and effectiveness. As a small business, we want to give our customers the best possible service, making dealing with Rapid the…
The New Hypertherm CopperPlus Electrode for Duramax Torches
There is always something shiny and new to talk about appearing on the market, and the new Hypertherm CopperPlus Electrode is no different. It has been designed for use with handheld Duramax torches when cutting 12mm or under, and with two times longer consumable life over original Hypertherm consumables designed for the system, it is…
QR Codes and Body Art!
Thanks to growing technology and the marvel that is the Smartphone, the modern day version of the bar code can be accessed by pretty much anyone nowadays. I won’t bore you with the nitty-gritty, but in a nut shell the QR code – or Quick Response Code – is like a…
PlasmaCAM – An Affordable CNC Plasma System
PlasmaCAM is a robotic plasma cutting table that can turn any design idea – from your own drawings to imported pictures or files off the internet – into finished pieces of metal art work. One off garden sculptures & features, signs & plaques, lettering & numbers, mass produced mechanical parts & geometric shapes can be easily achieved – the diversity…
Rapid at MACH 2012
MACH was a first for Rapid, but it definitely wasn’t the last! The MACH exhibition is an established showcase for the UK manufacturing industry, promoting its interests on a world-class stage. This year, Rapid decided to take part in the weeklong event, securing a stand in the Welding World Village as organised…
“We welders have our own distinctive bond, as strong as the metals we join.”
Charles “Charlie” Coffin