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What is a Welding Lens and Where Is It Used?

The endowed utilities of Lenses today have created an advantageous twist in our manual and industrial operations. These Great operations such as Mining, Chiseling, and Welding have become a firm companion in our daily lives.

However, as the necessities of this operations tread rapidly, it is also very essential to employ the usage of certain tools and devices to promote the safety and efficiency of such operations and one unique example is the welding lens.

Introduction to Welding Lens

The exposure of the eyes poses a dire threat during welding operations. The emissions and rays fly wide, therefore, the usage of quality Lenses prevents the eyes from direct contact with such emissions and rays. The human eyes, therefore, need maximum protection from three things in every welding process.

Such as Infrared light, Ultraviolet rays, and light burn, and without quality lenses, the human eyes are rendered vulnerable. Arc welding processes like gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten welding, and similar processes are shielded metallic filings and light sparkles.

Therefore, those calls for the use of welding lenses to reduce the intensity of light on the eye. The unprotected eye can suffer from situations like the inflammation of the cornea, retina burn, which might eventually lead to loss of vision.

What Are Welding Lens Made Of?

Welding lenses are either made from glasses or plastics. They come in different intensities and batch numbers ranging from 10 to 13. These number denotes the darkness of each shade with the darkest being 13 and the least dark being 10. Thus, the darker the shade, the higher the protective covering it gives the eye.

Also, the administration of some medicaments and lozenges aids in strengthening the quality of the lens and reducing the adverse effects posed by the constituents of the glasses and plastics.

Welding Processes That Make Use of Welding Lens

There are three common welding processes which make use of welding lenses, and they include:

  1. Gas Metal Arc Welding 

Gas metal arc welding (GMAW, is also referred to as Metal Active Gas (MAG) welding and metal inert gas (MIG) welding. This process uses workpiece metal and a consumable MIG wire electrode to form an electric arc. The heat produced by this process is relatively low compared to others.

Therefore, a shade number of 10 will be okay. This welding process could also affect the nostrils and the respiratory pathways, therefore, Technicians are advised to purchase lenses that stretch up to the nostrils and the interiors of the face.

  1. Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

This is also known as tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding. Here, a non-consumable tungsten electrode is used to produce the weld. In this welding process, an inert shielding gas is used to protect the welding area and electrode from oxidation or any other kind of atmospheric contamination. TIG produces moderate light, and a shade number of 10 should be suitable.

  1. Shielded Metal Arc Welding

SMAW is also called flux shielded arc welding (stick welding) or manual metal arc welding (MMA). This welding process combines a bulk of consumable electrode and a flux discharging coverage to produce the weld. The electric arc between the electrode and the metal is formed by an electric current.

From experience, this form of welding produces most light and could be devastating with its emissions. Therefore, the shade number of 13 will be most appropriate. Technicians are often advised to purchase one which stretches even to the nostrils, to control the nostrils and exterior of face.

How to Choose the Right Welding Lens 

  • The selection of a welding lens might be a upheave but there are some ultra-guide pins which must be considered when selecting welding lenses.
  • One of such is the ability to shed off the intensity of rays such as Ultraviolet rays, Infrared radiation, and high intensity of light. One of the worst feelings in the world is when a welder wakes up in the middle of the night and cannot open his eyes because of the burning sensation from the previous day’s work, so, this ordeal is very disturbing and terrifying.
  • Another important factor is the ability to tally the correct shade number of the lens with the welding process. Just as explained earlier, a lower shade number allows more light in, while a higher shade number allows lesser light in. Also, you must be very aware of the level of amperage you are working with.
  • The higher the amperage at which you’re running, the higher the light intensity coming from the welding process, and consequently, the higher the shade number required. Lower amperage is often used for thin metals, while higher amperage is used for thick ones. It is therefore very important to continuously note the amperage number in operation.
  • Lastly, when scouting for a quality lens, it is binding that both workers and visitors in welding space should make use of welding helmets because they both stand at danger of exposure to ultraviolet rays, infrared radiation, and high-intensity light. The welding helmet helps protect the entirety of the face and not just the eyes alone. It is often advised that lenses should be used together.

 

Our Final Take

The utilities of welding lenses shed its tapestry from protection down to the efficiency of the welding process and technicians and visitors are expected to embrace this usage of these lenses, in a bid to enhance a great working culture.

 

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