RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA. (NOVEMBER 4, 2003) – Auto and truck maintenance and repair specialists and do-it-yourself enthusiasts with customizing plans and big buildup jobs or maintenance and repair challenges have a new tool to make welding on-the-go fast and easy. Broco’s GOWELD®, the first battery-powered portable arc welder to feature an on-board computer, recently captured two international design awards. GOWELD® also recently won orders from important customers such as the Untied States Marines and U.S. Special Forces. GOWELD® features innovative technology and creates greater flexibility for accomplishing large or small welding jobs away from traditional welding power sources or at the shop.

“GOWELD’s use by the United States Armed Forces is a vote of confidence in its highly-portable and powerful performance and its wide-ranging capabilities,” said Richard A. Ferry, Broco® President. “With GOWELD® and two twelve volt batteries, metal repair and maintenance tasks can be accomplished just about anywhere – in the garage, on the road, on the trail, or on the battlefield.”

The United States Marine Corps selected Broco’s GOWELD® as the only welder included in the Battlefield Welding and Cutting Kit (BWACK’s) that is required equipment on-board the M-88A2 Hercules Recover Variant (tank recovery vehicle). The USMC joins the Ranger’s, Armored Cavalry, and Special Forces as GOWELD® users.

GOWELD® captured a winning position in the industrial equipment category of The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design’s annual GOOD DESIGN™ Awards for 2002 recognizing products from more than 20 countries. GOWELD® also earned Germany’s Industrie Forum Design Award (iF) 2002 for its innovative design. The iF award has recognized products with exemplary design quality since 1954. It attracts more than 2,000 entries from more than 30 countries.

GOWELD™ is the newest product from Broco® and is an extension of the company’s expertise in welding and cutting tools and the metal alloys field. GOWELD® operates on 24 volt or 36 volt battery power and self-shielding (flux core, FCAW) or gas shielded (solid, MIG/MAG) welding wire to join materials ranging from steel to aluminum. It produces permanent welds.

The new system is designed for use in rigorous environments and a wide variety of applications. Typical tasks made easier by GOWELD® include custom fabrication, buildup jobs, swapping parts, and repairs to axles, drive train, drive shaft, motor mounts, rocker panels, suspensions and other key components in need of repair or ongoing maintenance.

GOWELD® features:

• On-board computer and proprietary software gives the welder more control resulting in more precise welds in all environments. Optical encoder for true speed control from zero to 1,100 inches per minute yielding the least speed variance for more consistent welds. Speed adjustment/correction occurs 675 times per second.
• Heavy-duty, high-torque industrial motor.
• Maximum power rating of 42 volts DC and 700 amps current achieving excellent joint penetration on plate as thick as one inch.
• All metal chassis for strength and support of the motor drive assembly, trigger micro-switch, gas valve, circuit board and wire spool.
• A handle-mounted micro switch and integral gas valve operate directly off the trigger. Ability to pre-flow and post-flow shielding gas.
• Optional voltage control unit for welding metal as thin as 24 gauge without burn through.
• LEDs to indicate power, polarity, battery charge condition and motor temperature.
• Automatic motor overheat protection and battery over-discharge protection.
• “GOWELD’s brings a new welding solution to repair shops, custom shops, and do-it-yourselfers,” Ferry added. “GOWELD® is so portable and flexible it can keep up with the most enthusiastic extreme adventure seekers. GOWELD® belongs in every four-wheeler’s on-the-trail toolbox yet makes metal repair jobs at the garage fast and precise.”

GOWELD® can be used in dual modes, either with battery power or as a spool gun with a standard welding power source. The suggested retail price is $795. Accessories include voltage control unit and standard power source converter as well as welding wire and other consumables.
Broco, Inc.® is the world leader in exothermic cutting and underwater welding systems and related technology. Broco® has manufactured specialty welding and cutting products for more than 30 years. The company is based in Rancho Cucamonga, California and distributes its products worldwide.