TOP-8 Russian-made inverter welding machines

Working with different types of metals requires having a mobile, reliable and highly functional tool. For example, repair garden tools, weld a complex engine element, gate, or create an exclusive structure from thin sheets of metal.

Any inverter welding machine made in Russia with MMA technology - electric arc welding with a stick electrode - can handle the implementation of these ideas at home. They are easy to care for, have a relatively light weight from 2.5 to 10 kg, and a wide range of models of varying power with efficiency up to 95%.

Lincoln Electric

Lincoln Electric was founded back in 1896, 10 years after the first welding machine was patented.
This is what allowed her to become their first manufacturer, as well as the oldest brand in America. Considering the age of the company, which naturally matches the level of experience, its products are largely good, high quality and durable. Also, the company’s considerable experience, combined with time, has influenced the formation of a wide range of offers, where everyone can find something for themselves, from bulky and large-sized to much more portable welding inverters. Since this is one of the most popular brands, it is logical that the cost of their products can hardly be called affordable. And in some places it is, of course, much higher than that of some other companies. But it’s worth remembering that you definitely shouldn’t skimp on quality, especially when it comes to welding.

Svarog TECH ARC 205 B (Z203)

​Photo: https://beru.ru

Our rating of professional welding inverters continues with the Svarog TECH ARC 205 B (Z203) model. This inverter in MMA and TIG modes allows you to use a welding current of up to 200 A, while the duty cycle reaches 80%. At currents less than 160 A, an efficient cooling system allows the inverter to be used without mandatory cooling pauses. When working with the Tech Arc 205 B device, it is worth considering that the power it consumes in MMA mode reaches 9 kW, and large drops in the supply voltage are possible. However, thanks to the built-in digital indicator of the welding current, they can be compensated to a certain extent - on machines where the current is set on a scale at the regulator, the current must be adjusted to the desired value “by eye”. If you are wondering which professional welding machine is better, then we can say with confidence - Svarog TECH ARC 205 B (Z203)!

Welding machine TECH ARC 205 B (Z203) (TIG, MMA)

Advantages:

• reliability
• possibility of long-term work
• easy arc ignition in both welding modes
• convenient current setting

Flaws:

• inability to weld aluminum

Cedar

Welding inverters of the Kedr .
And this is not at all surprising, since today the manufacturer is one of the leaders in the inverter technology market. And all this despite the fact that the company began production of welding machines only in 1993. At the moment, it is a collaboration of Russian developments and Chinese production facilities, which has been extremely popular lately. And not only in Russia. The production of equipment in the Middle Kingdom evokes completely different associations today than it did just a few years ago. The ratio of affordable cost to good quality definitely plays into the hands of the manufacturer, allowing it to significantly expand the range of models offered. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for something compact for everyday use or high-performance industrial models, there is a high probability that you will find what you want among their products.

Classification by purpose

Inverter welding machines can be household, professional and industrial. Household appliances are connected to a common network, the voltage does not exceed the usual 220V. Models used in everyday life can perform one-time, small-volume work.

Professional welding equipment is designed for longer work and greater loads. In this case, the Russian manufacturer focuses specifically on the power of the installations, the indicators of which vary within the range of 200-300 W. The equipment is successfully operated at temperatures from + 45 to – 45 °C. The units are used to perform installation and construction work.

In the working process, inverter welding machines for industrial use provide productivity within the range of 250-500 W. The main task of the installation is to lay a high-quality seam.

When considering the types of Russian products, it is necessary to dwell on the features of inverters. Models designed for manual arc welding are operated with direct current. In this case, piece electrodes are used. Semi-automatic models are used for laying a weld seam with welding wire feeding in automatic mode. The production of semi-automatic devices is a complex technological process that involves inverter technologies, thyristors and transistors.

ESAB

Their products will provide you with excellent results. It is ideal for working in harsh environments. Their welding inverters are reliable and equipped with air filtration systems. Of course, all this is about the products of another currently popular manufacturer ESAB .
This company was founded back in 1904 in Gothenburg (Sweden). Constant development and search for new technologies and methods in the field of welding have allowed the brand to become one of the world leaders in the category we are considering. It was the fact that they were one of the pioneers in the field of welding technology that allowed the company to achieve a high reputation and popularity. Despite the fact that in 2012 the brand became part of the Colfax Corporation, quality, as well as the manufacturer’s priorities, remained unchanged. They continue to delight users around the world with excellent, high-tech and high-quality products, the range of which includes a decent number of models.

Operating principle

Welding inverters are designed so that the output voltage does not depend on the input voltage. This means that the set welding current does not depend on the mains voltage. The use of inverters is convenient when creating an arc, since there is practically no sticking of the electrode.

The principle of operation is as follows. Alternating voltage from an industrial network with a frequency of 50 Hz is supplied to the rectifier unit. Converted to a constant value, the signal goes to a power block consisting of IGBT transistors. As a result, due to their key operating mode, a pulse signal with a higher frequency, about 20−60 kHz, is formed at the output of the unit. Further, entering the converter block, the voltage decreases, and the current increases accordingly.

Thus, the required current value is achieved by changing the high frequency signal. This provides an advantage over other types of welding arc power sources. Read tips on working with an inverter here.

ELITECH

If you haven’t really been looking for welding inverters before, but have dealt with, say, garden tools and equipment like lawn mowers, then you’ve most likely already come across the Russian brand ELITECH .
The thing is that the range of tools they produce is not limited to welders alone. Like many modern products, the company's devices are made in China. However, only partly, since in addition to it, production has also been established in Belarus. By the way, some of the individual components are even manufactured in Italy. Like any other company, it places its main emphasis on quality, manufacturing all its products in modern factories certified to ISO 9001. On the other hand, it is also nice that the manufacturer understands the need for its products to be accessible to all users, striving to provide a good combination prices and quality. This allows the brand to successfully compete with existing analogues.

Contact method in production

Most industrial welding machines are designed for electric arc or resistance welding. The latter is widely used in auto repair shops, automobile factories and many other industries.

The main advantages of resistance welding are high productivity, minimal operating costs and excellent quality of the welded joint.

Depending on the type of installation, industrial resistance welding can be mobile, suspended and stationary. Depending on the method of seam formation, equipment is divided into butt, suture, relief and point.

Butt welding equipment is often used to weld copper pipes. The joint can be created using resistance and fusion technology.

The resistance method is used to connect low-carbon steel products with a small cross-section.

Melting is a technology that allows joining metal of large sections; it is used in shipbuilding in the manufacture of chains for anchors and similar products. Industrial flash welding is used to join railway rails to create seamless tracks.

Seam welding machines have rollers that allow welding of pipes and tanks. Relief welding is used in instrument making and automotive manufacturing to attach various brackets.

As part of a robotic line, spot welding machines can be found everywhere. Their working element is electrodes made of high-quality bronze and copper.

Aurora

Another relatively young company in the field of welding equipment is Riland Power Source Technology , which dates back to 1993 and was founded in China. Okay, you say, but what does the designated brand have to do with it then? Everything here is quite simple. In 2012, products under the Aurora PRO , steadily gaining well-deserved popularity.
It was this event that marked the emergence of one of the most popular Chinese manufacturers of welding inverters on the current market. Of course, you can probably still find Riland welding machines on the Internet, but they have long since “changed their image.” A pleasant bonus of some of the manufacturer’s (mostly current) products is their increased environmental friendliness. It is probably no secret to many that in some areas of the Celestial Empire there are problems with the environment, and therefore many companies take care of the production of goods that are least harmful to nature, including electronics.

Quattro Elementi MultiPro 2100

​Photo: https://beru.ru

If you are not chasing new welding inverter products in 2022, then this welding machine is created especially for you. It contains almost the maximum possible versatility: the “Italian” is capable of working both as a semi-automatic and cooking in MMA and TIG modes. Of course, with a maximum current of 160 A and a low duty cycle, it cannot be classified as professional even if one wants to, but in a personal workshop its capabilities will be sufficient. Taking into account the fact that arc force, anti-stick and “hot start” have been introduced into the design of the device, it is difficult to require anything else for the MMA mode if you are working with electrodes with a diameter of 2-3 mm. Need to weld thin iron? Well, put a spool of wire and connect the torch. In MIG mode, the device is capable of operating in a two-stroke or four-stroke circuit, although this is not considered such a serious advantage - it would be better if the manufacturer expanded the TIG mode adjustments.

Welding machine MultiPro 2100 (TIG, MIG/MAG, MMA)

Advantages:

• combination of welding MMA, MIG, TIG DC
• ease of use
• digital display

Flaws:

• limited power
• limited transportability

FoxWeld

If you want to buy a welding inverter at a fairly affordable price, then you should definitely pay attention to the wide range of the manufacturer FoxWeld .
In addition to the fact that they also produce other equipment (electric generators, water pumps, etc.), they really have a considerable selection of welding inverters. Surprisingly, the relatively affordable price did not have a negative impact on the quality and reliability of the product. The brand itself is one of the largest European manufacturers originally from Italy. And its popularity is really high, since in addition to the Russian market, its products can be found almost all over the world. It will be convenient for buyers on the Russian market that the company has managed to establish the work of official service centers, allowing timely and high-quality maintenance and repair of purchased equipment. Well, regarding the product itself, it can be noted that, according to experts, it also has a high degree of protection.

Welding technologies

All welding methods can be divided according to three parameters: the source of thermal effects, means of protecting the metal and the level of mechanization and automation of the entire process. One of the most common methods is arc welding, in which heat is provided by contact between an electric arc and an electrode. The method is traditional and devoid of automation elements, but in small industries it is completely justified. This method is similar to the technology of welding production based on the combustion of a gas-oxygen mixture. A high-temperature flame makes it possible to carry out large-scale work, but in terms of accuracy, this method is far from the best.

Modern technologies include plasma and laser welding. In the first case, during the operation, a compressed electric arc is activated, through which gas passes at supersonic speed, turning into a plasma state. Laser welding production uses a quantum generator beam as a working resource. Direct cutting and melting is carried out by a laser beam in an adjustable infrared or light range.

Svarog

Sometimes the initiators of “creative” cooperation with Chinese companies are the brands themselves, especially young ones that do not have sufficient production capacity. However, in the case of the Svarog brand, everything seems a little different. Rather, it was the result of the development of the company Jasic Technology , which in a fairly short period of time gained popularity in its homeland, sufficient to enter other large markets. And so in 2007, the Svarog , specializing in the production of welding equipment.
By the way, in addition to inverters, its product range also includes semi-automatic machines and machines for manual welding. Basically, users who have become happy owners of products from this brand note a high level of convenience, resistance to power surges and, of course, excellent build quality, as well as welding.

Rating

The popularity of manufacturers of inverters and semi-automatic devices based on them was determined by demand among buyers and analysis of reviews on websites (with sales offices throughout the country).

• Inforce, VseInstrumenty LLC, Moscow.
• Interskol, JSC "Interskol", Khimki.
• Forsazh, JSC "GRPZ" (State Ryazan Instrument Plant), Ryazan.
• Torus, Tor LLC, Moscow.
• Zubr, JSC "Zubr", Mytishchi.
• Atlant, LLC "Trading House Independence", Moscow.
• Neon, ElectroIntel JSC, Nizhny Novgorod.

EWM

It is clear that all of the welding inverter manufacturers on this list offer high quality products. However, when you come across German brands, one of which is EWM , you understand this a little differently.
In this case, the phrase “German quality” takes on physical shape, and the welding equipment of this manufacturer really differs, especially in its increased efficiency. They provide everything for high-quality and reliable welding, offering economical resource consumption and environmental safety. Of course, your preferred welding method will not play a role in limiting your choice, since the range of equipment offered will most likely exceed all your expectations. High-quality, effective, reliable and safe brand products have long been loved by a large number of users.

conclusions

Modern manufacturers of welding equipment represented on the Moscow market can be divided into three segments: standard, optimal and premium (there is also economy, but this segment is not considered within the scope of this article):

• The standard ones include devices made in China: FoxWeld, Fubag and Svarog. BRIMA is also a representative of this segment, but due to the emerging trend towards deterioration in quality, it may in the near future move to a lower category.
• The optimal ones include Russian-made devices: NEON and FORSAZH.
• For premium – European technology: ESAB, KEMPPI and EWM.

Of course, equipment from other manufacturers is also presented in Moscow. We have named only those who have proven themselves well in domestic conditions and, in our opinion, deserve attention. For other regions, the list of manufacturers may look different.

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RESANTA

Like some manufacturers on this list, the Latvian company RESANTA began its creative journey in 1993, which was a little more difficult for them than for the Chinese, after all, the collapse of the Soviet Union.
And yet, having established the production of voltage stabilizers at that moment, they continued to grow and develop, which allows them to be today one of the major manufacturers of welding equipment, popular not only in Russia and the CIS, but also in the European Union. Having won a wide audience, the brand continues to develop and provide new interesting solutions, which have more than once allowed it to take prizes at international exhibitions. Naturally, as with other products from popular brands, they have a lot of positive user reviews, who continually note how high the performance of a certain model is, what convenient dimensions they have, and, of course, consistently good build quality.

The best mid-class welding inverters

Intermediate level equipment widely used by both amateur and professional welders. Unlike budget models, such inverters can have a number of additional functions, and also combine several types of welding (usually manual arc and semi-automatic).

4 Torus 250 Extra

Torus 250 Extra

Worthy competition to foreign analogues is the Torus-250 welding machine from the well-known Russian one. Its predecessor, the Torus-200 inverter, received an award at an international exhibition in 2013, and today several lines of welders for home and industrial use are produced. Among the advantages of the 250 is the ability to work with electrodes up to 3 mm from 220V, delivering an increased welding current of 250A with a duty cycle of 60%. And if the current is reduced, then the unit is ready to operate continuously (100% duty cycle), during a full work shift.

It is not surprising that the device is equally in demand by home craftsmen, as well as construction and auto repair teams, and is considered indispensable in case of frequent changes of workplace. With small dimensions (125X19X330 mm) and a weight of 5.7 kg, it welds excellently, including thick (up to 15 mm) metal, with welding electrodes with a diameter of up to 6 mm with stable arc parameters. As befits serious professional equipment, the device has a 3-year warranty and is certified by the National Welding Control Agency - when purchasing, you need to look for the NAKS marking.

Advantages:

• comfortable to use for welders of all categories;
• thoughtful design;
• large reserve of power and current.

Flaws:

• no protection for polarized transistors;
• sensitive to moisture.

3 RESANTA SAIPA-165

RESANTA SAIPA-165

Slightly weaker in characteristics compared to the category leader, but a high-quality inverter for semi-automatic welding. Due to the lack of information about the real power, it is pointless to talk about the value of the welding current. We can only conclude that its maximum value fluctuates around 160 amperes, while the setting allows you to lower the characteristic down to 20. In terms of ergonomics, it should be noted that the inverter weighs 11.5 kilograms: however, the entire line of products from RESANT is distinguished by considerable dimensions and parameters weight.

The main disadvantage of SAIPA-165 is still the company’s poor logistics - it is very difficult to find spare parts and consumables for this device. This is the main repulsive factor for consumers who praise the design itself, but are afraid of problems after purchasing devices from a Latvian company.

Advantages:

• low price;
• good welding ability;
• reliable “filling” that can withstand power failures.

Flaws:

• There are very few consumables and spare parts on the domestic market.

2 Svarog REAL MIG 200 (N24002)

Svarog REAL MIG 200 (N24002)

A device designed for manual arc and semi-automatic welding of metal products. Very popular in Russia, mainly for its outstanding characteristics. At a not very high price, this device has a total power of 7.7 kVA - not entirely economical, but it is possible to weld thick metal. With manual arc welding, the welding current can vary from 10 to 160 A, and with semi-automatic - from 30 to 200 A. In other words, obtaining a permanent connection of thin sheet metal can only be done by manual welding, since in the MIG / MAG mode there is a possibility burn-through. Overall, this is a great inverter, the only real drawback is the lack of a standard electrode holder.

Advantages:

• very powerful device;
• possibility of welding in manual and semi-automatic mode;
• simplicity and practicality of use;
• possibility of changing current polarity.

Flaws:

• The set does not include an electrode holder.

1 Aurora OVERMAN 180

Aurora OVERMAN 180

A semi-automatic welding machine, which is the flagship of the Aurora company. Looking at the characteristics, you can understand why users in most cases prefer this particular model. Despite the power of 4.7 kW, the device supplies a welding current of 175 amperes, which makes it possible to work with wire with a diameter of up to one millimeter.

Several convenient features certainly distinguish the OVERMAN 180 from a number of other semi-automatic inverters. The first is the ability to manually adjust the rigidity of the current-voltage characteristic depending on the type of metal being welded. Also noteworthy is the presence of a post-gas function - carbon dioxide is supplied to the sleeve for a second longer than the welding time, in order to protect the seam from oxidation and subsequent weakening.

Advantages:

• high reliability of the device;
• possibility of flexible adjustment of the welding arc;
• presence of a post-gas system.

Flaws:

• The wire feed speed is electronically controlled.

Eurolux

As we have already noted, there are several notable brands on this list that evoke high-quality products. This is the case with the German manufacturer Eurolux , which pleasantly surprises users with its active growth and fairly rapid development, given the fact that it has only been on the European market since 1991.
By the way, mutually beneficial cooperation with partners from Azerbaijan helped him in this, and after establishing joint production, the company’s sales market expanded noticeably. Of course, all manufactured products meet high international quality standards. The most important advantage of welding inverters from this manufacturer is IGBT technology, which allows reducing the overall weight of the devices, as well as their overall dimensions. The quality of the seam was not affected at all, and the work remains as reliable as before.

Torus 200c Super

​Photo: https://beru.ru

The Torus brand is well known among professional welders. The inverters of this Moscow company may not be the most powerful mma inverters, but they easily survive the warranty period even with the most severe use, without presenting any unpleasant “surprises” even after the warranty expires. The MMA/TIG inverter “200c Super” will allow the owner to operate at a current of up to 200 A at a duty cycle of 100 - and this means the possibility of full, long-term work with electrodes up to 5 mm in diameter. It is important that this inverter can be certified by NAKS (this option will be more expensive than an uncertified one by an average of 2 thousand), which is the best proof of the high quality of welds created by the device. The merit of this is in the microprocessor circuit for generating the current curve - this ensures not only its optimal shape, but also stability of characteristics under high voltage drops. The inverter will be equally convenient for both a welder with many years of experience and a beginner - it is extremely easy to ignite and hold an arc on it, and in TIG mode in the same way as when welding with a stick electrode. The minimum current is 20A, which makes it possible to use the “200c Super” inverter for argon welding of the thinnest parts.

Welding machine 200c Super (MMA)

Advantages:

• easy to use
• unlimited duration of permanent work
• operation during voltage dips up to 165 V

Flaws:

• like all other brands, NAKS certification requires additional payment

BLUEWELD

Some of the most common welding machines are products from BLUEWELD , which are represented in more than 120 countries around the world, which allowed this manufacturer to take third place in our small rating list.
The company was founded in 1963, and since then it has shown good results in the field of invention of welding technologies and equipment. The company's engineers never cease to develop various new designs, thereby improving existing offerings. The mere fact that this manufacturer’s equipment is used by automakers such as Honda or Ford can say a lot. In addition to the fact that the company has built an extensive dealer network that allows them to provide quality service for their products, they also provide personnel training services at enterprises.

Manufacturers of welding equipment for semi-automatic welding

Semi-automatic welding is rarely used in everyday life. Among manufacturers of such products, the palm belongs to European companies.

ESAB

The Swedish company ESAB has been producing welding devices since 1904. Its founder, Oskar Kjellberg, is the creator of the first coated electrode. Later, it was this company that became the developer of gas shielded welding technology. ESAB currently has 26 factories, as well as numerous sales offices, subsidiaries and technical support centers. Products are presented in 80 countries. The total annual welding production exceeds $10 billion.

ESAB is certainly a proven manufacturer. The company's semi-automatic machines are characterized by excellent quality, reliability and long service life. However, the main specialization of the company is not welding equipment, but consumables. As a result, semi-automatic devices from this manufacturer are quite expensive and inferior in technology to KEMPPI.

Semiautomatic welding machine ESAB Caddy Mig C160i

KEMPPI

KEMPPI semi-automatic machines are produced by the Finnish company of the same name. It started its activities in 1949. Its enterprises operate in 17 countries, and its annual income exceeds 110 million euros. KEMPPI was one of the first to enter the Russian market. Semiautomatic devices from this manufacturer are intended for use in metal structures factories, as well as in engineering and defense enterprises.

KEMPPI was the first company to go digital. Its production lines are robotic, which minimizes the possibility of defects. Characteristic features of semi-automatic machines: ease of use, reliability and safety.

Disadvantage: the equipment comes with entry-level software. Accordingly, if you want to increase the functionality of the device, you need to purchase quite expensive additional software.

Semiautomatic welding machine KEMPPI FastMig KM 400

EWM

Equipment for semi-automatic welding EWM is produced by the German company EWM HighTec Welding GmbH. In addition to factories in several countries, the company has research and development centers in three countries to develop and test products. The manufacturer offers a large selection of models for all types of work, a wide range of auxiliary functions to facilitate welding.

The company's specialists have created software and interfaces that are suitable for any robotic and automated systems. Additionally, several technologies developed by EWM can be highlighted:

• coldArc and coldArc puls provide connections between metals up to 0.7 mm thick and allow aluminum, steel and magnesium alloys to be welded together;
• PipeSolution provides a powerful and stable arc in any plane.
• ForceArc and RootArc provide pulsed welding.

EWM semi-automatic machines are, to a certain extent, designers. They can be equipped with three interchangeable, but different in functionality control panels: Basic and Synergic.

Welding machines are initially equipped with the maximum software package. Accordingly, when replacing the control panel there is no need to additionally purchase any programs.

EWM was the first to develop an inverter design for TIG welding that can operate on both DC and AC current. Another innovation was the ability to configure equipment via the Internet. EWM was the first to weld aluminum to galvanized steel. The result of the innovative approach is the sale of 50,000 welding machines per year.

Semiautomatic welding machine EWM PHOENIX 355 Progress Puls

Summary

Interskol

Second place was taken by the manufacturer Interskol , which is none other than the leader among power tools in the domestic segment of the modern market.
The most remarkable thing here is that in a rather short period of existence for such a company, it has achieved success comparable to competitors who have overcome a much longer and thorny path. For clarity, it is worth noting that Interskol has been on the market for only 15 years. The high quality of its products can be evidenced by statistics numbering more than 40 million units of products sold and the lowest return percentage for all these years. It is also confirmed by a two-year guarantee that applies to all the company’s offerings. And the overall picture is complemented by a wide range and affordable prices, which are more than justified. So, if you still decide to look for a welding inverter, you should take this manufacturer into account.

Requirements for welders

Welders of different classes and levels of training work in production. The initial level involves the formation of teams, which include low-skilled workers (up to 4th category). In terms of skill requirements, one can note the ability to perform tack welding and other auxiliary operations that welding production requires. The specialty “fitter-welder” also involves performing simple auxiliary actions, but workers of this profile also perform related installation operations at a professional level.

The high qualification of the welder obliges him to know the intricacies of both manual and semi-automatic processes. These are workers who participate in complex brigade teams servicing linear facilities. It is also worth emphasizing that a welding specialist in modern conditions is constantly faced with the problems of increasing complexity of technological processes. Just recently, highly qualified specialists might not even have an idea about plasma welding. Today, the ability to perform such work using advanced equipment is a prerequisite.

Fubag

It is also worth considering the leader of this list - the German company Fubag , which has been operating in the European market for more than 40 years.
Just like most of the listed brands, it specializes in the production of tools and equipment for construction and repair, a decent share of which is occupied by welding machines. Its production sites are located in different countries, a total of 19, and engineers are working at a specialized technology center in France to develop new products in the welding machine category. Agree, not every manufacturer can boast of such a scale, and even more so in this segment. The company's products continually take prizes at various exhibitions and conferences, receiving awards that symbolize their approach to the design and manufacture of their devices. Of course, in terms of cost, they are far from the most affordable. However, universal popularity and quality allow Fubag welders to stand in the closet of both the average user and the professional.

The article was written for the site.

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What is welding production

Welding production is an organized process consisting of a set of employees, premises, equipment, materials, technologies, methods and rules, which are united by the type of activity, namely the performance of welding work. The result of such activities are finished metal structures. The work has a different focus and can be performed during installation, construction, production, and repair of metal structures of varying degrees of complexity. Quality is controlled by authorized representatives of Rostechnadzor.