New 3M™ Speedglas™ SL Welding Shield
Super Light Welding Shield
26 years on since the release of the first commercially viable auto-darkening welding shield, welders are still the best source of information and inspiration for Speedglas™ protective equipment. In this time welders have asked for two things in personal protection: lighter weight and more comfort. The challenges in designing an all-new shield were to significantly reduce its weight, while maintaining the performance and protection that welders worldwide have come to expect in every legendary Speedglas product. The result of our efforts: a 360 gram auto-darkening welding shield!
Numerous shield innovations increase welder comfort, and after two years of product development Speedglas introduces the world’s lightest auto-darkening welding shield ever.
“As soon as welders put on the new Speedglas SL shield they can’t believe how comfortable and extraordinarily light the new shield is” - says Chris Neville, managing director at AWS.
Using new liquid crystal designs and manufacturing techniques, we are able to make the Speedglas SL auto-darkening lens much lighter than our other models, but with the same outstanding optical quality and switching performance. The Speedglas SL welding lens can be used with most arc welding processes – such as MMA, MIG/MAG, TIG and plasma welding. It is particularly appropriate for low-to moderate amperage welding (0.1 to 250 amps), with four user-selectable sensitivity settings and five dark state levels: 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. The switching speed of the SL is the fastest switching speed currently available on the market at an astonishing 0.1ms. The Speedglas SL has been tested and approved to AS/NZS 1337 & AS/NZS 1338.1.
A new motion detector automatically turns the lens on and off as the welder picks up or sets down the shield. The outer protection plate can be quickly removed and replaced by simply grasping the plate by hand. A snap adjustment where the shield attaches to the head harness allows the welder to select one of four different settings, moving the shield either closer to or further away from his/her face. These back-and-forth adjustments allow for a variety of personal preferences. The user can also adjust the tilt of the shield to set a preferred viewing angle.
The Speedglas SL is made from a strong lightweight material that provides excellent protection. Unlike other materials that can absorb moisture and become heavy, the Speedglas SL shield is non-absorbent - designed especially for the Australian climate - it retains its performance and strength in extremely humid conditions. The considerable reduction in weight was not a result of simply shrinking the size of the shield; the Speedglas SL shield's facial coverage is virtually identical to our Speedglas 9000 series.
The head harness fits better and feels cooler. The new head harness design uses a pattern of holes for breathability and better conformity to the welder's head. Resizing the head harness, or loosening it for removal, is as easy as a quick squeeze of the thumb and finger – the welder can do it with one hand, without even removing his glove. The head harness also accommodates smaller head sizes; its full range is from 50 cm to 64 cm.
The Speedglas SL comes standard with a scratch resistant outside cover lens and high quality Speedglas toweling sweatband. With its new modern look and its unrivalled comfort, the Speedglas SL is destined to be a huge success.
For additional information please contact:
AWS
Unit 5, 6-8 McLachlan Avenue
PO Box 912 Artarmon NSW 2064
Phone: +61 2 9439 0111
Fax: +61 2 9439 0100
Email: sales@awsupplies.com.au