Hamilton based stainless fabrication company Hendl and Murray recently were awared a major contract to produce hoppers destined for Sugar Australia (part of the CSR Group). The contract called for the fabrication of six large hoppers

made from twelve chorme ferritic stainless steel, measuring 21m x 6.5m, with thickness ranging from 6-25mm. This difficult-to-weld material called for close monitoring of the heat input and demanded stringent control over teh overall weld procedure.

Hendl and Murray Works Manager, Noel Hendl, and Roger Swanson, the Works Foreman, sourced a Migatronic Sigma 400 pulse Mig welding machine coupled with a Bug-O modular carriage system to mechanise the welding operation. The Migatronic Sigma 400 offered pre-programmed weld parameter selection which maintained complete heat input control, as well as providing water cooling to offer maximum duty cycle for mechanisation, high optimisation of wear parts, and high energy efficiency.

After the first 12 km of welding over a 6 week period, Hendl and Murray purchased a second Migatronic Sigma 400 unit based on its faultless performance and exceptional operator appeal. To date the machines have completed over 48 km's of welding with minimal use of consumable parts and total reliability.

Hendl and Murray are totally satisfied with their Migatronic purchases and support from Trans Ocean Developments.

Pahia based Bay Alloy Boats is a manufacturer of custom alloy workboats for the commercial and serious enthusiast market. Shortly they will be commencing production of the all-alloy Bayfisher 555, a 5.5m alloy runabout.

With a focus on producing high quality welds, Perrin Clark, manager of Bay Alloy Boats tested a variety of competing machines before deciding on the Migatronic Sigma 300, because of it's excellent overall welding performance. The optional water cooling unit has kept consumable parts to a minimum, while the gun mounted Mig-manager option conveniently allows the operator to change weld settings while in position, greatly reducing the need to exit the boat interior while working.

Bay Alloy Boats have commented that, "Migatronic has exceeded all our expectations".

Migatronics motto is 'Switch On, Press Weld', with a user friendly, ergonomic design philosophy matched to world leading reliability, efficiency, and exceptional results.