GCE Variovipr Protect Brings Benefits to Welding Gas Market

GCE Industrial, an ESAB brand, has launched Variovipr Protect, a two-stage valve integrated pressure regulator (VIPR) for argon-based welding shielding gases. The Variovipr Protect features a patent-pending “radio dial” continuously variable flow control adjustment mechanism, eliminating the traditional flow control knob and delivery pressure gauge. GCE factory-calibrates each unit to allow precise adjustment at flow rates up to 30 l/min. Haptic “micro-click” tactile feedback gives welders the ability to set exact shielding gas flow requirements with an accuracy of ±10 % (compared to ±20 % for traditional regulators).

Other advantages compared to traditional regulators include a lever-operated on/off valve that provides a clear visual indication of whether the cylinder is open or closed. During opening, a patent-pending reverse opening lever design eliminates the pressure shocks and gas waste often associated with rapid-opening valves.
“The Variovipr Protect lowers total cost of ownership by eliminating gas waste and the time operators spend attaching and adjusting regulators,” says Michal Dolínek, Valves R&D, Product Programme Manager, GCE. “It also reduces the chance of welding with an incorrect gas flow and associated rework. Because it is easier and safer to set-up and operate, Variovipr Protect also addresses the welding industry’s skilled labour shortage.”

Improving the way welders work

The VIPR design changes and improves traditional welding workflow, starting with cylinder change-outs:

• The after-fill safety seal confirms the cylinder is full, eliminating the chance of grabbing an empty cylinder.
• Because all components are now integrated with the cylinder, VIPR eliminates down time associated with changing regulators and leak-testing connections.
• It takes seconds to connect the shielding gas hose to the unit’s nipple port or quick-connect coupling (compared to minutes for attaching and leak-testing a traditional regulator).
• Setting gas flow is fast and precise using the factory-calibrated adjusting mechanism. Instead of trial and error by triggering the torch or gas pre-flow button, what users set is what they get.
• The adjusting mechanism, coupled with the two-stage design, ensures flow accuracy to within ±10 %, where single-stage regulators generally have an accuracy of ±20 %. Precise flow improves performance in critical applications and eliminates costs associated with excess flow.
• Set-it-and-forget-it performance: Maintains constant flow as cylinder pressure decreases, saving time and reducing the risk of insufficient gas coverage.
• Features a 90-degree fast-acting lever with tactile “click-in-place” feedback and red/green status indicators, alongside a clear gauge for monitoring gas levels. Two-stage regulators prevent gas surges, especially during tack and stitch welds, that waste gas and potentially pull the atmosphere into the shielding gas stream.
• While the lever operates quickly, its reverse-opening design prevents gas pressure spikes that reduce valve life and could potentially harm downstream components

The VIPR features a proprietary guard to shield all components and also integrates a top rolling knob and a handle that make the cylinder easier to move. While compact and light weight (2.33 kg) for small cylinders, the robust guard can handle heavy gas packages up to 130 kg (50 L cylinders). The entire mechanism fits within the cylinder wall. In the event of a cylinder fall, the design protects against the risks associated with stem-type regulators and their fragile, exposed gauges.

A high-capacity filling port reduces filling time, and a spring-loaded plug seals the port against contaminants. Available inlet sizes include 25E (ISO 10920) and 3/4" NGT (CGA V-1), and outlet connections include G 1/4", G 3/8", 9/16" UNF, and M16. Through a modular design, it can be adapted with neck rings to fit different cylinder sizes and inlet/outlet port requirements, which are often region-specific, to meet customer needs. Variovipr Protect also helps gas distributors improve cylinder asset utilisation, reduce ownership costs and accelerate filling operations. 

(Source: ESAB)