A way to reduce welding costs

Welding shops and welding schools that use the GMAW (MIG) welding process can save as much as 60 percent of the shielding gases that they purchase by using the Gas Saver System, which recaptures gases left in delivery hoses when welding processes are stopped. Jerry Uttrachi, president of WA Technology and 2007 president of the American Welding Society, designed, developed and patented this system, which includes a custom-made hose that has an inside diameter of 0.125 inch, and a surge flow-limiting orifice. The hose is made with composite fiber-reinforcements that gives it toughness in shop environments, and it has a large outside diameter. The surge flow-limiting orifice is positioned at the end of the hose that connects to the wire feeder or welding machine. Installation of the system also involves removing the existing hose that delivers gas to the wire feeder or welding machine and replacing it with the system.