The launch of the NEW 3M™ Speedglas™ G5-01 TW Welding Helmet in Australia and New Zealand has garnered plenty of attention due to the impressive suite of features this helmet brings to the table. With Climate Control, Bluetooth Connectivity and a 50% longer Adflo™ battery runtime than the 9100 FX Air to name a few – it’s easy to understand the hype!
However, one aspect that deserves its own deep dive is how the Speedglas G5-01 TW adapts to the unique difficulties presented by tack welding.
What unique challenges does Tack Welding present?
Tack welding involves using small welds to align materials and hold metals in place in preparation for later welding. Because the welds required to do this are often small and spaced out, tack welding creates arcs that are dispersed along the joint, meaning there is a series of short and sharp jolts of light from the arc which can often be harsh on the eyes.
To combat this, the Speedglas G5-01 TW welding lens has a Tack Welding Mode that caters to rapid transitions from dark to light to dark again. The lens has an intermediate shade 5 light state to minimise eye strain during extended tack welding applications. If an arc is not struck within 2 seconds, the welding lens will switch back to the light state of shade 3. This smoother dark-light transition makes the G5-01 TW perfect for tack welding, and ensures a more comfortable overall welding experience.
Check out the below video to see the Tack Welding Mode in action!
Considering that the G5-01 TW lens also offers True-View technology, it’s clear to see how this helmet is changing the welding game. True-View provides the welder with a lighter, brighter and more realistic view that in turn enables better control over their weld. A wider and more consistent spectrum of colours is allowed through the lens for a more naturalistic effect, in contrast to the overpowering greenness seen in other welding lenses.
