First Cut subsidiary Gas Safety International (GSI) has introduced new brazing technology designed to improve safety and reduce downtime in industrial metal joining applications.
Traditional brazing methods typically rely on high-pressure gas systems with risks of gas leaks and equipment backflow. The S.A.T. flux system addresses these risks by enriching flammable gases such as acetylene with liquid flux at negative pressure, reducing the potential for backflow incidents, says Peter Rohlssen, MD of GSI. “In manufacturing, time is money. Every minute of downtime translates to lost revenue.”
The new system allows for continuous operation without the downtime normally required for depressurisation during maintenance or refilling. It also reduces maintenance intervals, extending routine maintenance from once every two months to annually. This is achieved by preventing contamination within the fluxing system, Rohlssen says.
GSI produces the regulator valves for the system at its facility in Johannesburg. The fluxing unit is sourced from the US.
“Implementing new technology is not just about the equipment; it is about ensuring that teams understand how to use it effectively,” says Rohlssen.
The system meets the requirements set by international standards ISO 2503 for gas pressure regulators and ISO 5175-2 governing gas welding and allied processes. The gas fluxing unit is also certified for safety by UL Solutions.
