X-plore 8000 Visors and Respirators for Welding Applications

Arc welding with a coated electrode, informally known as stick welding, is perhaps the most popular and widely used welding process today. It is simple and inexpensive, although the results are often not as accurate, and commonly used to weld carbon steel, low and high alloy steel, stainless steel, cast iron and ductile iron.

In general, both, the X-plore 8000 Welding Visor Premium and X-plore 8000 Welding Visor Standard are suitable for this technique. Set the ADF to a shade state between 7 and 13, depending on the electrode size and amperage. We recommend the X-plore 8000 Filter P R SL for the aforementioned operations.

TIG is a versatile and highly regarded welding process using a non-consumable tungsten electrode and an inert gas, usually argon, to shield the welding area from atmospheric contamination. TIG produces clean, aesthetical welds with very little spatter on a wide range of materials including stainless steel, aluminium, copper alloys and even certain non-metals.

In general, both, the X-plore 8000 Welding Visor Premium and Welding Visor Standard are suitable for this technique. Depending on the size of the tungsten electrode and the amperage used, the ADF should be set to a shade state between 9 and 13. We recommend the X-plore 8000 Filter P R SL for the applications mentioned. When welding aluminium or high alloy steels, please consider use of the X-plore 8000 Filter A1B1E1 P R SL due to the additional risk of ozone exposure.

MIG or MAG welding, also known as gas metal arc welding, is a widely used process, known for its speed. It produces clean welds with little slag and is often used for welding aluminium, stainless steel and mild steel. An inert or active gas such as argon or carbon dioxide protects the welding area from oxidation and can influence the weld characteristics.

In general, both, the X-plore 8000 Welding Visor Premium and Welding Visor Standard are suitable for this welding technique. The ADF should be set to a shade state between 10 and 13, depending on wire size and amperage. We recommend the X-plore 8000 Filter P R SL for the listed operations. For MIG welding of aluminium, please refer to the X-plore 8000 Filter A1B1E1 P R SL due to the possible formation of ozone. Where a build-up of carbon monoxide is to be expected during MAGC welding of unalloyed or low-alloy steels, the use of the X-plore 9300 supplied air respirator is advised. 

Plasma welding is a process where a highly concentrated electric arc, created through ionized gas (plasma), heats and joins material, and can also be used for cutting. The plasma arc achieves higher temperatures, deeper penetration, faster speeds, and more precise control than other welding methods. Though it requires a complex and expensive setup, it's ideal for welding thin materials and intricate joints with minimal distortion, making it popular in aerospace and electronics.

In general, both, the X-plore 8000 Welding Visor Premium and Welding Visor Standard are suitable for this welding technique. Set the ADF to a shade state between 9 and 13 for plasma cutting, and 4 to 12 for micro plasma welding. We recommend the X-plore 8000 Filter P R SL for the listed applications. When cutting or welding aluminium, please upgrade to the X-plore 8000 Filter A1B1E1 P R SL due to the possible formation of ozone. If a build-up of nitrous gases is to be expected, f.e. due to the usage of pressurized air or nitrogen or when plasma cutting coated materials, we advise use of an independent air supply such as the X-plore 9300.

Oxy-fuel or more colloquial “gas welding” is a process in which a fuel gas (usually acetylene) and oxygen are used to create a flame for melting and joining metals. It is considered one of the most skill-intensive welding techniques. In oxy-fuel cutting, the flame heats the metal to ignition temperature then cuts it with a jet of pure oxygen. Respiratory protection is required to avoid inhaling harmful metal fumes and gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. 

In general, both, the X-plore 8000 Welding Visor Premium and Welding Visor Standard are suitable for this welding technique. Set the ADF to a shade state between 4 and 8 for oxy-fuel welding, and 4 to 6 for oxy-fuel cutting, depending on the thickness of the workpiece. We recommend the X-plore 8000 Filter A1B1E1 P R SL for the mentioned welding techniques. For applications that involve oxy-fuel welding or cutting of coated materials, or where pressurized air or nitrogen is used, we recommend the use of an independent air supply such as the X-plore 9300.

Prior to welding operations, workpieces often need to be cleaned of rust or paint residue. In addition, post-processing in the form of finish machining may be necessary in the aftermath to remove excess material and improve the overall surface quality. Such grinding work can generate a lot of dust and particles that require proper respiratory protection.

For applications where a lot of grinding work is involved, we recommend the X-plore 8000 Welding Visor Premium due to its convenient flip-up ADF visor, that allows use of the untinted visor beneath. Depending on the application and individual requirements, a separate head piece for simple grinding and sanding work might also be conceivable. Consider the X-plore 8000 Face Shield or X-plore 8000 Helmets for the latter use case. A particle filter such as the X-plore 8000 Filter P R SL is sufficient for corresponding works.

Yes, the X-plore 8000 welding visors have been specifically designed for use with an air-purifying or air-fed respirator. They can be used with the X-plore 8000 series powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR) or the X-plore 9300 series airline system. When used in combination, these dedicated welding headpieces, also referred to as welding mask or welding helmet, not only protect the face and eyes from sparks and harmful light rays, but also ensure safe breathing during welding operations.

Both X-plore 8000 series welding visors offer shade states from level 4 to 13, in principle making both welding helmets a suitable choice for most welding tasks. If you prefer a lightweight welding headgear and a slim visor design, the Dräger X-plore 8000 Welding Visor Standard is a good choice for you. If you value a wider field of vision and want to inspect your workpiece without removing the visor fully, the Dräger X-plore 8000 Welding Visor Premium is the recommended choice. Please feel free to reach out to Dräger to find out if you qualify for a free product demonstration.

The X-plore 8000 welding visors are equipped with an advanced ADF unit that provides True Colour functionality. True Colour offers a clearer and more accurate view of the weld area, giving better control during welding and therefore enabling improved overall weld quality. The more realistic colours and decreased toning also reduce eye strain and help professional welders work more efficiently.

We recommend using our dedicated welding accessories to get the most out of your X-plore 8000 welding visor and X-plore 8000 blower combination. The X-plore 8000 Welding Belt is the ideal carrying solution for welding applications where leather is a proven heat-resistant and robust material. For users already operating either the X-plore 8000 Standard Hose or the X-plore 8000 Flexible Hose to connect the blower unit to the headpiece, we suggest the use of the durable and spark proof X-plore 8000 Hose Cover. As an alternative, Dräger offers the robust X-plore 8000 Heavy Duty Hose, designed for demanding industrial applications.

The blower unit itself can be protected from sparks, heat and mechanical stress by fitting the X-plore 8000 Blower Cover Pouch. For certain applications, the use of the X-plore 8000 Pre-Filter may be recommended to extend the life of the main filter and protect it from sparks and smouldering particles.

... And how can I adjust the fit of the welding helmet? Please refer to the official user manual and how-to-use video. Both training resources provide essential information on how to set up the system and help you learn how to adjust the visor's head strap and tilt to suit your individual needs.

The X-plore 8000 welding visors can be used in conjunction with the Dräger X-plore 8000 series of powered air-purifiying respirators (PAPR). Here, the blower unit draws in ambient air, filters out harmful particles or gases from the air and then feeds the treated breathing air through a hose into the welding helmet. The continuous flow of air eliminates the breathing resistance often experienced with traditional respirators. The system also works reliably for bearded users or those for whom conventional respirators do not provide a tight enough seal.

The airflow can be adjusted via the control panel of the respective blower unit and the direction of the airflow in the X-plore 8000 welding helmet can be adjusted individually. This ensures optimum distribution of filtered air and prevents eye irritations, increasing comfort during long welding sessions.