WIA (Welding Industries of Australia) has announced the expansion of its industry leading Weldmatic range of MIG and multi-process welding machines, which now includes three new inverter models; the 250i, 350i and 500i.

With all three welding machines utilising inverter technology, they feature sophisticated electronic controls, high frequency switching and high frequency transformers, to achieve consistent and controlled weld output for the professional welder.

The Weldmatic 250i is a 240V multi-process industrial welder, suitable for everyday use by vehicle smash and exhaust repairers, fencing contractors and general maintenance applications in workshops and factories as well as on construction and mine sites.

Capable of handling MIG, Stick and Lift-TIG welding, the 250i is a versatile and portable machine capable of gas shielded welding of aluminium, mild and stainless steel, as well as gas shielded cored wires and gasless flux-cored wires.

Designed for every-day use, the control panel allows easy selection of gas and wire type, with infinitely variable voltage and wire speed, indicated on the digital display.

However, unlike other similar machines on the market, the Weldmatic 250i features a 4-roll wire drive which improves wire feed consistency, plus it can accommodate 15kg wire spools.

Using a 15kg spool means the machine suits the light industrial user as 15kg spools work out far cheaper per kg than smaller 5kg spools; in short the 250i can improve the welder’s productivity while reducing operating costs at the same time.

The Weldmatic 250i is also supplied with a tradesman quality MIG gun with 3.6m cable complete with euro connector for easy fitting and removal, plus a 3m work lead, an industrial twist lock electrode holder, gas regulator, a range of tips and suitable drive rollers.

Weighing in at just 25.5kg, the 250i comes supplied with two handles, making it an easy two-person lift and suitable for onsite maintenance applications.

At the top end of the Weldmatic range are the 350i and 500i multi-purpose machines designed for MIG, Stick and Lift-Arc TIG welding in medium to heavy fabrication and all general industrial applications.
Offering 60% duty cycles, the 350A and 500A three phase machines are designed to meet the professional welder’s demands for flexibility and power, and are ideal for long run welding work.

Built to perform, these are the machines welders turn to when they don’t want to compromise on quality and results.

With optimal weld characteristics, the machines provide high quality results on steel, stainless steel and aluminium, plus the power to comfortably run all popular sizes of solid and flux cored wires.
With the capacity to run 1.6mm flux cored wire, the 350i and the 500i machines can handle a wide range of applications.

Both machines suit gas shielded and flux cored wire as well as offering variable arc control, with infinite Voltage and Arc Control to adjust arc harshness and Arc Start to control the wire starting speed.

As well as being supplied with a 32A supply plug, the machines feature digital Volt and Amp meters which retain last weld information and allow precise set-up.

The 350i and 500i machines come with a four roll drive wire feeder (heavy duty on the 500i) and a trolley with a drawer specifically designed for the machines, as well as high quality US-manufactured consumables. Both the welding torches and the Bernard Centerfire 0.9mm welding tips are of premium quality and designed for long life and quality welds.

The package also includes a 3.6m gun cable, a 10m work lead, an industrial twist lock electrode holder, a 10m interconnecting lead, a gas holder and suitable drive rollers.

With safety a very important issue for WIA, all three machines feature built-in VRDs (Voltage Reduction Devices), which deliver added safety when operating in stick or lift-TIG mode and meet the requirements of site work to AS60974.1 and AS1674.2 CAT C.

As well, the machines offer built-in operator safety, with the power sources featuring thermal protection devices that activate if the machines are operated beyond their safe thermal operating zones.

When it comes to warranty issues, all Weldmatic machines are supported by an Australia wide service network covering parts and labour as standard, so customers can be guaranteed they’re buying reliability and performance.

While the 250i features a two-year unlimited warranty on its power source, the 350i and 500i offer an industry-leading full three-year gold-shield warranty on all the components of the welding machine.