Any work requires certain conditions. In the first place, it is worth thinking about safety. Although historically so, that in our country are accustomed to this important aspect of labor organization, or even not pay attention at all, it is usually put down the sleeves, and in vain. After committing such "labor exploits", all missed security measures, relentlessly, to one degree or another, begin to affect health. Quite often, such occupational diseases are incurable. Welding is one of the types of work, which can be extremely dangerous.
The nuances of the welder
The profession of a welder is one of the most dangerous, occur in everyday life. It's not just about amateur welding, performed by artisans - self-taught due to extreme necessity in the country or in the garage. But, in the first place, about people, directly professionally related to welding. Because they are engaged in welding for many hours, day by day, for many years, daily risk of serious damage to their health.
Don't forget, that the worker during welding is exposed not only to the impact of a bright flash from an electric arc, she, just, relatively safe. In addition to visible light, he receives a considerable portion of infrared and ultraviolet radiation, which with prolonged action, can cause much more damage, than everyone hates "bunnies". The quarrel involves several factors, which can adversely affect health.
in addition, there are also less exotic ways to undermine your health. Splashes of hot metal, flying scale and metal shavings, handfuls fly in your face, during stripping of welds, can also spoil not only the mood. Welding is a very dangerous occupation!
Effective means of protection against welding
A large number of protective shields and masks have been invented in connection with the above-mentioned welding craft, which will significantly reduce the risk to health.
If the first welding masks appeared fifty years ago and were made of leather with tinted glass, then the current ones are high-tech products, packed with modern optics and electronics, are able to protect you from most of the harmful factors of this process, as welding. The price of such products may be different.
Given the abundant variety of various masks on the market, an inexperienced person is unlikely to be able to make the right choice. In such cases, it is worth talking to a more "advanced" specialist, or even use it directly when choosing.
We are, in turn, talk about the main nuances and parameters of chameleon masks, useful when choosing a purchase, after all, welding is a process, which can be very harmful to health.
First of all - why "chameleon"?
This is one of the most technically advanced variants of welding masks and they have been used everywhere for years.. The point is, that it dynamically darkens the glass, which is extremely useful in the process of welding. Try to light an arc, without seeing the welded surface. In the old days, every such operation had to lift the mask. The chameleon allows you to easily see it and darkens only after the start of welding, protecting your eyes from burns.
The design and type of light filter can vary greatly from model to model, and various manufacturers. But the general design they all have about the same, what can you say about the price.
The basis is a plastic mask or helmet with adjustable headrests and a liquid crystal filter. The latter is made of several darkening layers and several filters, which are collected in the form of a sandwich. The light filter suppresses infrared and ultraviolet radiation. Even if for some reason it does not darken at the time of ignition of the electric arc, filters must trap harmful radiation from the spectrum invisible to the human eye. It will not save from bunnies, but the sight will save you.
What should the welder pay attention to when choosing a Chameleon mask?
For light filters of welding masks, there are four main parameters, which are specified on the product by the manufacturer and are standardized worldwide:
- optical class;
- light scattering;
- homogeneity;
- angular dependence of the degree of eclipse.
According to the European standard EN 379, they must be applied to the light filter indicating the class of each parameter through a slash and a mandatory reference to the standard. Example, 1/1/1/2 IN 379.
Now a little about each of them
optical class
It is the first in the list of parameters and speaks about the presence or absence of distortion of objects when looking through a light filter and depends on the quality of glass used in the manufacture, the integrity of the "sandwich" collection.
Many of you have noticed distortions in layered windows. The same special effects are inherent in budget filters. Distortion of geometry and dioptric effect are highly undesirable.
It will be very good, if you manage to get a welding mask 1/1/1/2. This will significantly affect the price, but don't forget about your health. The third grade mask will tire your eyes so quickly, that you will not have time to work properly.
One means no distortion, so, good quality of applied materials. The second and third classes involve more or less defects. Such defects lead to rapid eye fatigue and are unsuitable for long-term work. Ideally, avoid buying such masks - save your eyes and nerves.
light scattering
He is second on our list, but no less important, than the previous one. This indicator indicates the ability of the filter to deflect and scatter light. This is an indicator of optical purity, which is determined by the purity of the most liquid crystals, applied in the welding mask, and the quality of its manufacture. The easiest way to imagine the essence of this parameter is on the example of a car.
When you go in the rain and in the dark, you see everything in front of you. But you just have to show up, even if very weak, counter light sources, and in front of you there is an opaque ghost. Visibility will be worse, the more drops will appear at this point on the windshield. Something similar happens with the filter.
homogeneity
Sounds scary, but, actually, this is an indicator of the uneven dimming of the filter in its various parts. This unit is measured in DIN ah. If accepted, that normal total blackout during welding 13-16 FROM (depending on the type of welding and material), then the homogeneity index for the first class should not exceed ± 0.1 FROM. ± 0.2 and ± 0.3 - for the second and third class, respectively.
Angular dependence of the degree of eclipse
The fourth parameter in our list is the rate of dimming of the light filter depending on the viewing angle. It's still easier here. For this, the properties of the welding mask are set to the following values:
- first class - 1 FROM;
- second class - 2 FROM;
- third grade - 3 FROM.
The inspection is carried out at angles ± 15 °. The only exceptions are masks with enlarged light filter dimensions. In such cases, the viewing angle reaches ± 30 °.
Another important parameter is the dimming speed of the light filter. Very important, so that the welding mask Chameleon quickly darkened at the time of the electric arc, protecting your eyes from defeat.
For this purpose, speed and depth dimmers are provided on the welding masks. As we said before, even if for some reason the eclipse does not work, built-in filters will protect your eyes from infrared and ultraviolet radiation. This can happen for three reasons:
- exceeding the angle of incidence of the arc light on the sensor;
- if you accidentally replaced the sensor;
- banal eating disorder.
In the first case, you should pay attention to the number of sensors on the welding mask. In the second - enough of the usual care and accuracy. As for the latter, then it is a matter of primary choice. You should pay attention to the type and number of batteries. This is especially important in this case, if you often have to work in poorly lit rooms.
Comfort and conditions of application of welding
For household use speed in 1/10000 seconds are enough. However, for professional welders, usually, apply light filters with a reaction of 1/20000 seconds. It would not be superfluous to be able to smoothly adjust the eclipse.
A big plus will be the lighting of the delayed filter. Do not forget, that even after the end of welding, the metal is still hot for some time, and also shines quite brightly.
Proper adjustment of the sensitivity of the welding mask sensors is also very important. Too low can cause it to NOT work, and too high will make the light filter blink, which is also not very good. Without such regulation it will be extremely difficult to achieve comfortable working conditions.
Conditions of comfort include banal head mounts. The more adjustments available, the more convenient it will be to work. Especially if you have to spend a lot of time in a welding mask.
Batteries include the amount and form factor of lithium cells. The complexity of their replacement and maximum capacity. The size of the solar panel, which is directly related to the durability of the charge of removable batteries.
Varieties of masks "Chameleon"
Some welding masks allow you to install dioptric lenses on the light filter for the visually impaired. They cover only part of the view and allow you to look into the distance over the lenses, without lifting or removing the mask, without being distracted from welding.
There are also bonus functions such as grinding mode or collecting statistics on the time of welding. But they can also be useful, if you value your health and want to plan your work day properly.
Anyhow, it's about your star and you have to choose the mask. Do not forget about the above recommendations, especially, given the abundance of various welding masks. There are quite a few well-known companies, brands of equipment, which are quite suitable for virtually any type of welding work.
A quality mask is excellent health!
Do not forget! If in the process of welding you begin to feel the cut, burning, tearing or rapid eye fatigue, word, the discomfort, try to change the welding mask as soon as possible. Such symptoms are the first sign of poor quality Chameleon light filter.
However, it is not necessary to choose at once the most expensive iron on a show-window. It is possible, that the most expensive thing will NOT be the highest quality or reliable. It may well be, that cheaper thing will be more reliable. Here the welder uses his own experience.