Frequently asked questions about auto-darkening welding lenses

Q: Are 3M™ Speedglas™ auto-darkening welding lenses as safe as traditional lenses?
A: Yes. Speedglas™ lenses always provide UV/IR protection for your eyes, whether they are turned on or off, light or dark. They're actually safer than traditional shields as the Speedglas shield can always be in the down position, protecting your face and eyes. Plus, your hands are not preoccupied with constant visor adjustment.

Q: What happens if the battery fails?
A: To repeat: you're always protected from damaging UV/IR radiation. And no matter what, your eyes are always shaded from arc flash.

Q: Do you see any of the arc flash?
A: No. The lens changes too quickly for the eye to see a flash. The transition from no arc to arc occurs without a perceptible flash.

Q: Who determines the safety standards for welding lenses?
A: There are authorizing bodies for different parts of the world.
Australia: AS/NZS1337 & AS/NZS1338.1
Europe: CE EN379
USA: ANSI Z87.1

Q: Are the Speedglas welding lenses fragile?
A: No more than traditional lenses. All Speedglas lenses have inner and outer replaceable protection plates. The lens is recessed back into the shield for further protection.

Q: Why do Speedglas welding shields cost more than traditional welding shields?
A: Speedglas uses state-of-the-art electronics and super lightweight materials to provide the most productive, comfortable, and safe shield/lens combination available. The lens itself is a seven-layer laminate, hand-assembled under clean room conditions, with numerous quality assurance checks. The result is a flawless lens that always lets you see your work. Speedglas lenses also have the industry's highest reliability ratings.

Q: Are the Speedglas welding lenses compatible with non-Speedglas shields?
A: No. The high performance and optical clarity of Speedglas lenses require a special design that is not compatible with non-Speedglas helmets. You should never attempt to mix any Speedglas products with non-Speedglas components; doing so will void your product warranty and could result in serious bodily injury.

Q: My shade 11 Speedglas lens appears to be a different dark shade than my old conventional welding lens. Why?
A: Different manufacturers (whether they are making conventional or auto-darkening lenses) can have noticeable differences in lens shading, while still conforming to the international safety standards for welding lenses. We recommend that you try the shade level you're used to, as well as the models above and below that level (for the above example, try the 10, 11 and 12 shade models).

Product Specific Questions (Trouble Shooting)

Q: I have a Speedglas 9000 shield, can I convert it so I can use the Adflo system?
A: The 9000 shield is built with a CO² reduction vent in the front of the shield to prevent the build up of CO², making it the only breathable shield on the market. This means that it is not suitable for the Adflo system as it breaks the positive pressure seal that is needed to sustain the protection factor inside the shield. A fresh-air shield will be needed for the Adflo System. However, the auto-darkening lens is perfectly transferable between the two shields.