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Operator’s Manual APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT ® ORIGINAL INSTRUCTIONS For use with machines having Code Numbers: 12879 COVER PAGE FIGURE 8 Need Help? In the USA and Canada, call Register your machine: 1.800.770.0063 to talk to a Service Representative.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL SAFETY ® THANK YOU FOR SELECTING KEEP YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE FUMES. A QUALITY PRODUCT BY DON’T get too close to the arc. Use corrective lenses if necessary to stay a reasonable distance away from LINCOLN ELEC TRIC.
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ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS or CSA Standard W117.2-1974. A Free copy of “Arc Welding Safety” MAY BE DANGEROUS booklet E205 is available from the Lincoln Electric Company, 22801 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44117-1199. 2.a. Electric current flowing through any conductor...
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APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL SAFETY SAFETY ® ELECTRIC SHOCK ARC RAYS CAN BURN. CAN KILL. 3.a. The electrode and work (or ground) circuits are 4.a. Use a shield with the proper filter and cover plates to protect electrically “hot” when the welder is on. Do not your eyes from sparks and the rays of the arc when welding or touch these “hot”...
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APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL SAFETY SAFETY ® WELDING AND CUTTING CYLINDER MAY EXPLODE IF SPARKS CAN CAUSE DAMAGED. FIRE OR EXPLOSION. 7.a. Use only compressed gas cylinders containing the correct shielding gas for the process used 6.a. Remove fire hazards from the welding area. and properly operating regulators designed for If this is not possible, cover them to prevent the welding sparks the gas and pressure used.
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Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Product Standard for Arc Welding should be electrically continuous throughout its length. The shielding should Equipment. It is for use with other Lincoln Electric equipment. It is designed be connected to the welding power source so that good electrical contact is for industrial and professional use.
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APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL SAFETY ®...
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL TABLE OF CONTENTS ® Safety ............................... 2 Symbols & Icons ........................... 10 Safety Precautions ..........................11 Proper handling ..........................11 Operation ............................... 11 Explanation of Welding Terms ......................11 System Start Up ..........................B-1 Startup Screen .........................
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APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL TABLE OF CONTENTS ® GMAW/FCAW Timing Diagram ..................... B-21 Service Menu ..........................B-22 Version ............................ B-22 Motion ............................ B-22 Faults ............................B-23 Settings ..........................B-23 Input Test ..........................B-23 How to Take a Snapshot ......................B-24 Users .............................
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Symbols & Icons This list is a quick reference for all icons from the pendant and on the control unit. Users Set Up/ Wire Reboot Insert Modes Weld Weld Time Upslope / Process Track Ring Start Settings...
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Safety Precautions OPERATION Read entire manual before installation or operation. Explanation of Welding Terms WARNING ELECTRIC SHOCK CAN KILL GMAW: Gas Metal Arc Welding • Only qualified personnel FCAW: Flux Cored Arc Welding should perform this installation.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® System Start Up Ensure all components are connected. Refer to the individual component manuals for full connection instructions. Prior to beginning the weld, turn on the welding power supply. The system is designed to be turned on and off through the welding power supply.Ensure all components are connected.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Pendant Operation 6. LEFT TOGGLE (WHITE BORDER) • Short Press – Navigates or changes the selected The APEX 3 Series Pendant is designed around full value (in this example, it will change the value in functionality and easy operator experience.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Menu Buttons Buttons 9 through 12 are the menu buttons. Pressing one of these buttons will bring up a menu while in the idle, test or welding screens. 9. WIRE FEED/AMPS • Short Press – Wire Feed/Amps options •...
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® System Log In When powered on, the system will go through a self-calibration routine. Make sure the torch is free to move before starting the system. When the calibration routine is complete, the user will be presented with a Log In Screen –...
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Log In Screen 7. STEERING KNOB • Short Press – Moves cursor to the next space The following buttons and options are available from • Rotation – Quickly cycles through available the log in screen – see FIGURE 8 - Log in Buttons. character options •...
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Idle Screen Similar variables are paired together. The variables shown on the screen can be changed using the left The Idle Screen is the first screen presented to a and right toggles. It is possible to change between supervisor when logging in –...
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Idle Screen Buttons The Idle Screen – see FIGURE 9 – will change depend- ing on which menu button has been selected. Some items in the Selection button windows will change depending on system configurations. 1.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Idle Screen Test/Weld Modes Static Screen Items There are many icons common through the Idle, Weld After preparing a program, it is recommended that and Test screens. These items give helpful information the user test the parameters before striking an arc.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Weld Screen Test Screen During the weld, the screen will show voltage and Similar to the Weld Screen, the Test Screen will show amperage feedback on the Weld Screen – see FIGURE voltage and amperage feedback but the feedback 11 - Weld Screen Options.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Jog Screen Press the Exit selection button to return Idle screen as shown below. The Jog Screen – FIGURE 15 - Jog Menu Screen – is used to test movement of the system before weld- ing.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Jog Buttons The following buttons and options are available from the Jog Menu. 1. GAS PURGE • Short Press – Purge welding gas for 3 seconds • Hold – Continually purges welding gas while held 2.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Oscillation Screen Press the Swap Selection Button to be taken to the Travel Setup Screen. The Oscillation Screen is used to test and adjust sys- tem oscillation before welding. To enter, press and hold the Dwell or Oscillation menu buttons while in the Jog, Idle or Weld screens.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Oscillation Buttons The following buttons and options are available from the from the Oscillation menu: 1. PURGE • Short Press – Purge welding gas for 3 seconds • Hold – Continually purges welding gas while held 2.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Setup Menu The setup screen allows the user to access all parameters for welding. Please note that this screen can only be accessed by authorized supervisors set up in the User’s Menu. This is explained further in the User’s Setup Screen section.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Track Setup The value can be adjusted in increments of 0.01 inch- es. Holding the right toggle for longer than 2 seconds The Track Setup Screen presents the user with sever- will amplify the speed at which the values increase. al options.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Travel Setup Screen Travel Pattern The travel setup allows the supervisor to set how the The second field the operator can choose is the travel controls will work while welding and change the weave pattern.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Process Setup Screen Weave Process Options • Weave – Refer to the Travel Pattern section on The Process Setup Screen – see FIGURE 19 - page page B-16 for the different weave options. Process Setup –...
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Mode Select The user is prompted to select the wire size, type, process and then gas type. Mode Select guides the The weld mode is determined by the wire size, type, user through the settings. Selecting a wire diameter process and type of gas being used.
3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® List Mode Select Lincoln Electric power supplies come with pre-set welding modes for particular welding applications and wire types. Press the Modes selection button on the Manual Mode Selection Screen to see a list of weld modes loaded into the power supply.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Start Settings RunIn WFS Determines the WFS prior to establishing an arc will The Start Settings should be set up after the process ramp up to welding WFS during upslope. setup has been completed. The start settings screen – RunIn Volts see FIGURE 24 - Start Settings Screen –...
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APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® B-21...
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Service Menu Motion Motion controls allows the user to select certain mo- The Service Screen allows for advanced welding options. tions and behaviors of the weld system – see FIGURE There are five menus available in the Service Screen: 28 - Motion Controls Screen –...
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® FIGURE 29 - Faults Screen On Settings FIGURE 31 - Settings Screen Faults Use the Left Toggle to select GAS or WATER and then the Right Toggle to turn monitoring ON/OFF. With gas While welding, the flow of shielding gas and/or cooling monitoring turned ON, two additional controls are water can be monitored if the appropriate hardware is...
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® FIGURE 32 - Input Test Screen FIGURE 33 - Snapshot Service Mode Note: Pushing the Reset Button resets the system. Once the Input Test screen is displayed, a system test may be performed. Each button and toggle switch on the Pendant will turn green when pushed up, down or released.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Users The Users Screen – see FIGURE 36 - Users Screen – allows the user to set up operator and supervisor log in codes. Each user can be assigned an individual code which determines the level of access.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Once you have chosen the appropriate User code and level of access, select OK. Reset will change characters back to “0000”. Deleting a user account will bring up a warning screen. Press the Detail Selection button to see more information about the shown screen.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Changing User Access To change the level of access that a user has been granted press the ADD selection button. Instead of entering a unique user code add in the existing user code that needs to be changed. With “Level” highlighted, choose the new access level.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Increments Settings If a multipass program is loaded, pressing the sector button (button number 14 shown below) will advance The increments screen – see FIGURE 40 - Increments to the next pass. This allows the user to quickly set the Screen –...
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APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® IMPERIAL METRIC VALUE NAME SETUP SCREEN INCREMENTS INCREMENTS INCREMENTS & LIMITS MENU Wire Speed cm/min Voltage Volts Volts Amperage Amps Amps Travel Speed cm/min Oscillation Width inches centimeters ...
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Programs From the program screen – see FIGURE 41- Programs Screen – programs can be saved into the system or onto a USB memory stick. Fast Movement Fast movement using the steering knob is enabled on this screen.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Note: Saving to a USB limits the program to 8 characters. The name field always auto populates with the name for the currently loaded program or the program name selected when the save button was pushed. Saving a Program Base If there are multiple passes within the same procedure, setting up a Program Base is recommended.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Saving Program Updates A fourth level selection, Program Update is available when changes are made to Program Passes associat- ed with a Program Base. When changes have been made to one or more Program Passes, the Program Base containing the changed Program Passes is selected and the SAVE button is pressed, the Program Update option...
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Hide Program Passes The passes in a program base can be hidden by highlighting the program base and pressing the steering knob, collapsing the group. Press the steering knob again and it will expand. Saving to a USB All of the examples shown have been saved locally to Copy to/from USB...
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® FIGURE 45 - Copy to USB FIGURE 47 - Loading Program Go to the Programs Menu to load the relevant Note: If a locally saved program has more than 8 program. Highlight the program or base. characters, copying to a USB will truncate it to the first 7 characters of the original name and a tilde (~) Press the Load Selection button.
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL OPERATION ® Overwriting a Program Saving a file with the same name will overwrite the existing program. The system gives a warning that the existing program will be overwritten. Overwriting will delete the original program. B-35...
APEX 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT MANUAL ® PARTS APEX ® 3 SERIES MIG PENDANT PARTS This parts list is provided as an informative guide only.
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APEX 3 Series MIG Pendant ® For Code: 12879 Do not use this Parts List for a machine if its code number is not listed. Contact the Service Department for any code numbers not listed. Use the illustration of Sub-Assemblies page and the table below to determine which sub assembly page and column the desired part is located on for your particular code machine.
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APEX 3 SERIES PENDANT MANUAL ® PARTS NOTE: This Parts Manual is provided as an informative guide only. When ordering parts always refer to the Lincoln Electric Parts List.
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Button Cover Small 9SS23055-1 Knob 9SM22778-1 Spatter Shield Pocket Assembly, includes: 9SM23325 Spatter Shield Pocket Screws Optical Encoder 9SS32527 • NOTE: This Parts Manual is provided as an informative guide only. When ordering parts always refer to the Lincoln Electric Parts List.
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Lincoln Electric for advice or information about their use of our products. We respond to our customers based on the best information in our possession at that time. Lincoln Electric is not in a position to warrant or guarantee such advice, and assumes no liability, with respect to such information or advice.
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Lincoln Electric for advice or information about their use of our products. We respond to our customers based on the best information in our possession at that time. Lincoln Electric is not in a position to warrant or guarantee such advice, and assumes no liability, with respect to such information or advice.
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Lincoln Electric for advice or information about their use of our products. We respond to our customers based on the best information in our possession at that time. Lincoln Electric is not in a position to warrant or guarantee such advice, and assumes no liability, with respect to such information or advice.