Alistair Ching Mastering Welds with the Panoramaxx Laser Helmet

In industrial and engineering professions today, introducing advanced welding helmets such as the Optrel Panoramaxx represents a significant leap forward. This progression isn't merely about safety; it's about reshaping the welding experience to meet the demands of modernity where efficiency, comfort, and sustainability are paramount.

Alistair Ching, a skilled welder at Innovative Design Engineers, demonstrates the importance of this change by using the Optrel Panoramaxx alongside the Strata 320ACDC every day. In this blog post, we'll dive into how the Optrel Panoramaxx can transform welding work and what this means for professionals like Ching.

The Everyday Problems Better Welding Helmets Solve

Most welders don't replace a helmet because of a spec sheet. They replace it because something is making the working day harder. These are the four complaints we hear most often at the trade counter, and what the Optrel Panoramaxx does about each one.

Problem: You keep lifting the helmet to see what you're doing. A standard auto-darkening filter gives a narrow letterbox view, so you lose sight of your torch angle, the joint ahead and anyone walking into your bay. Solution: The Panoramaxx filter has a nose cut-out that brings the lens closer to your eyes, giving roughly six times the field of view of a standard filter. You see the whole job without moving your head.

Problem: a sore neck by mid-afternoon. Weight and balance matter more than any other comfort feature over a 40-hour work week. Solution: The Panoramaxx is light and evenly balanced on the head, and worn headgear can be replaced with Optrel IsoFit headgear on its own, rather than buying a new helmet.

Problem: welding fume sitting in your breathing zone. The helmet traps the plume right in front of your face, and welding fume was classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as carcinogenic to humans in 2017.

Solution: run the helmet as a PAPR system with the Optrel e3000X PAPR blower unit, which delivers filtered air across your face, keeps you cooler, and reduces fogging. Use it alongside, not instead of, proper welding fume extraction at source.

Problem: the lens battery dies mid-job.

Solution: solar cells combined with a lithium-polymer battery, which is why Ching charges his helmet so rarely, as he explains below.

Choosing Optrel: A Decision Driven by Superiority

The journey for Ching, from using a Speedglass 9100 to embracing the Optrel Panoramaxx, is a testament to innovation. The decision was influenced by several key factors: the Optrel helmet's superior battery life, its lightweight design ensuring minimal strain, and an overall feel that signifies quality and comfort. "Originally, I started out using a Speedglass 9100... but the Optrel had the best battery life, was nice and light on the head, and the helmet felt really good." This comment underscores Ching's satisfaction and confidence that switching to Optrel was the right move, highlighting the significant improvements in his welding experience.

Innovative True Colour Features of the Optrel Panoramaxx

A key benefit of the Optrel Panoramaxx is its enhanced peripheral vision, which significantly boosts a welder's awareness and efficiency on the job. "I went for the Panoramaxx just to get a bit more peripheral vision as well... It's perfect for that," Ching shares, emphasising how this feature enhances his ability to work safely and effectively. The helmet's adjustable shade feature also allows precise control over light transmission, adapting quickly to different welding angles. This adaptability is vital for tackling projects in diverse and demanding settings, making Optrel an invaluable tool for professionals like Ching.

The Optrel helmet's ergonomic design thoughtfully addresses comfort for welders, who often experience physical discomfort during prolonged use. Its lightweight build minimises neck strain, a frequent problem for welding professionals. Furthermore, the helmet's introduction of adjustable airflow settings marks a significant advancement, allowing welders to tailor ventilation to their comfort, thereby improving their overall experience.

Battery life is a pivotal feature for any portable device, and the Optrel Panoramaxx shines here. "You can go through your whole day, two days, without needing to charge your battery, which is really good," Ching remarks, highlighting the exceptional battery life. This level of reliability is indispensable in professional environments, directly impacting productivity by ensuring work can continue uninterrupted despite frequent recharging.

Which Optrel Panoramaxx Model Should You Buy?

The Panoramaxx range has moved on since Ching's interview, so here is how the current models line up. 

1. Heavy fabrication and positional welding: the Optrel Panoramaxx Quattro auto-darkening welding helmet was built for heavy metal construction and carries the top 1/1/1/1 optical class rating under EN 379, so the view stays clear even when you are looking through the edge of the lens at an awkward angle.
2. All-day welding with fume exposure: the Optrel Panoramaxx Quattro PAPR welding helmet is the closest current equivalent to Ching's set-up, with powered filtered air and adjustable airflow built in.
3. Already own an e3000 or e3000X blower: the Panoramaxx PAPR helmet-only option plugs straight into your existing blower unit.

If you want to compare the wider range before deciding, browse all auto-darkening welding helmets at Proline.

The Panoramaxx Laser Helmet Range for Handheld Laser Welding

Handheld fibre laser welders are now common in New Zealand workshops, and they introduce a hazard that a standard welding helmet does not cover. The beam and its reflections are invisible infrared light, typically around 1030 to 1100 nm, and a conventional auto-darkening filter is not certified to stop it. A reflected beam can damage your eyes without any visible flash.

Optrel developed its Panoramaxx laser helmet series with laser protection specialist Laservision. Each model includes an enclosed inner laser-protection frame, effectively serving as built-in laser safety glasses that also block scattered radiation from the sides.

If you run or are buying one of our handheld laser welders, talk to our team about the right laser-rated helmet before your first weld, and check that its rating matches your machine's wavelength and power class.

Beyond Welding: Fresh Air and the Sustainability of Optrel Helmets

Optrel's focus on innovation is evident in the functionality and adaptability of its products, which aim to have a positive environmental impact. The standard Panoramaxx helmet, suitable for lighter tasks, features an automatic shade adjustment for clear visibility and protection during different welding jobs. This functionality is essential for adapting to varying tasks and lighting, enhancing work efficiency and safety.

As seen in the solar charging system of their helmets, sustainability is a significant aspect of Optrel's approach. This design reduces the need for frequent charging and supports the industry's move towards eco-friendly practices. Ching comments, "I've only charged it twice in the last three years... It's awesome," highlighting the system's efficiency and the convenience of less frequent charging needs. Optrel's commitment to innovation, adaptability, and sustainability marks a shift in the welding industry, providing practical tools that consider future environmental needs.

Panoramaxx or Optrel Crystal 2.0?

These two Optrel helmets are often shortlisted together. Both use automatic shade adjustment and open to a very light shade, 2.5 states between welds. The difference is the shape of the view. The Crystal 2.0 uses a standard-width window with Crystal Lens Technology to deliver an exceptionally sharp image of the weld pool, which suits bench work and repetitive joints. The Panoramaxx trades that for the widest possible field of view, which suits fabrication, positional work and moving around a large assembly.

For a second welder's perspective, read how Matt at Truck Build NZ uses the Optrel Crystal 2.0 helmet on heavy truck fabrication, where he explains his choice after 25 years in the trade.

Keeping Your Optrel Helmet Performing

A helmet at this level is worth maintaining properly, and any replacement helmet or lens system should be used only within equipment that meets welding standards. Replace the front lens as soon as spatter starts to blur your view, using Optrel Panoramaxx outside cover lenses, 5-pack, and keep a pack of Panoramaxx inside cover lenses on hand as well for a true colour view. Keep the solar cells clean and store the helmet somewhere with daylight so it keeps topping itself up, and hold on to the Optrel USB charger cable for the rare occasions you need it. On PAPR systems, change pre-filters on schedule and inspect the face seal so fresh air keeps flowing properly, because a worn seal quietly reduces your protection. Built in Switzerland, this setup is designed as a complete package for demanding work.

In conclusion, the Optrel Panoramaxx is not just a tool but a comprehensive solution that addresses the multifaceted needs of the modern welder. Its blend of innovation, comfort, and sustainability sets a new standard, highlighting the ongoing evolution of welding technology. As the industry continues to advance, products like the Optrel Panoramaxx will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping its future, proving that with the right equipment, the potential for efficiency and safety in welding is boundless.

Ready to try one? Order the Optrel Panoramaxx Quattro PAPR welding helmet online, or call our team on 0800 699 353 for advice on the right model for your work.

Watch the interview here:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/nulvA3wyepE