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African Fusion talks to Eugene van Dyk of ESAB about the launch of the new ESAB FE300-series single-stage industrial gas cylinder regulators, and the ProStage double-stage regulators in South Africa, Africa and the Middle East.

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“We are currently in the process of launching our new F‑series single-stage gas regulators into our local markets to replaces the G‑series, which is to be discontinued. The new GCE FE300 regulars meet all the requirements of the G-series, but they come from a state-of-the-art new gas equipment factory in the European Union, which offers us more competitive pricing with more consistent manufacturing quality,” begins Van Dyk.

ESAB launches new FE300 and ProStage gas regulators

“Better costing and manufacturing volumes enable us to pass on supply and cost benefits to customers. Most notably, though, these regulators comply fully with the ISO standards that specify the safety and quality of gas welding equipment for welding, cutting and allied processes: ISO 2503 for pressure regulators, with and without flow-meters; and ISO 5171 for pressure gauges,” he notes.

Van Dyk adds that ESAB is the only welding and cutting equipment manufacturer with triple certification: ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental management; and ISO 18001, the international health and safety management standard.

ESAB’s global triple certification is issued by DNV, the world-renowned testing, certification and technical advisory service. This triple DNV certificate applies to all ESAB’s global facilities that develop, design, produce, distribute and sell welding and cutting products and associated services. “Every ESAB product that comes out of any one of our facilities is covered by the certificate, which means that, wherever a product ends up, it remains traceable back to its manufacturing origins for its entire lifetime,” Van Dyk assures.

Turning attention back to the new ESAB GCE FE300 series regulators, he says that the new unit specifications are similar to the existing G-series. “The ordering numbers are nearly the same as well, but the FE300 product item numbers all start with the letters FS,” he adds.

The new range of single-stage regulars fits into the medium- to high-tier product segment and are typically bread and butter products for use by anyone using industrial gas cylinders for oxy-acetylene or propane heating or cutting; and any of the gas shielded welding processes.

Key features of the FE300 high-performance single state regulator range include:

  • Safety focused pressure regulator designed according to ISO 2503.
  • Durable construction saving costs of spares and replacements.
  • Encapsulated regulating technology for precise and stable control.
  • Ergonomic arrangement makes for easy handling by operators.
  • Side and bottom entry design variants are available to fit on all types of cylinder valves.
  • Three scale pressure gauges certified to ISO 5171 are incorporated with high contrast pointers for better gas pressure clarity.
  • Gas colour-coded handwheels are used for simple gas content and hazard identification.
  • GCE FE300 regulators are manufactured in the EU in a modern new factory.

These regulators are ideal for fabricators, onsite contractors, scrap metal merchants and any jobbing shop using industrial gases for cutting, welding or heating. “In this price sensitive market segment, these ESAB products offer among the best value for money/quality balance available,” Van Dyk tells African Fusion.

GCE ProStage: the premium tier option

The new flagship premium tier regulator in ESAB’s range is the GCE ProStage range. This is a double stage regulator, which offers better safety as well as a more accurate and consistent outlet pressure that will not need to be regularly adjusted as the cylinder empties.

“The GCE ProStage is the new member of the PRO-Series of cylinder regulators for industrial applications. It is a two-stage regulator designed for users requiring high accuracy outlet gas pressure and flow. This product completes our product range by providing a solution at the highest level of the industrial gas segment,” notes Van Dyk.

Key features include:

  • Two-stage regulation for constant and precise outlet pressure and flow.
  • High-performance for the specific needs of industrial gas applications with up to 300 bar cylinder pressure.
  • Designed with prolonged lifetime in mind, saving costs related to services and spares.
  • Easy handling for the operator with an ergonomic arrangement of the three-scale pressure gauges for better gas pressure adjustment and clarity.
  • Robust rubber gauge protection for preventing damage to gauges.
  • Repairable eco-design with an available range of spares.
  • An on-line manual is made readily accessible to operators on a smart phone or tablet by scanning the product-specific QR code permanently printed on each regulator.
  • Manufactured in the European Union with a safety focused design that meets EN ISO 2503 specifications.

Most notable applications for ESAB’s ProStage industrial gas cylinder regulators include: plasma cutting with modern systems from Hypertherm, Kjellberg, Thermal Dynamics and others; industrial applications of compressed gases with low working pressures of below 2.0 bar; and applications requiring precise outlet pressure settings that remain constant while the gas cylinder empties.

“As with all ESAB gas equipment, safety is of primary importance and the main philosophy underpinning product design,” notes Van Dyk, adding that all regulator components are carefully designed based on more than 100 years of experience with gas pressure regulation.

With respect the ProStage range, he notes: “Oxygen hazards are very well known and ProStage resistance has been tested in our newly accredited oxygen laboratory at the GCE Chotebor facility in Czechia. As well as routine ISO 2503 type-testing, 300 bar cylinder pressure has been set as the standard for the ProStage range, while the robust forged brass body makes for a stable and resistant safety platform for internal parts,” says Van Dyk.

“In an increasingly competitive market, the new FE300 and ProStage gas regulation products offer a full range of choices that will not disappoint. With the launch of these modern global benchmarks, along with local expertise, support services and backup, we look forward to taking an ever greater share of the Southern African gas equipment market,” he concludes.

www.esab.co.za

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Peter Middleton
Email: peterm@crown.co.za
Cell: +27 84 567 2070


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