Frequently asked Questions

Yes, Aquaflame machines are often used within the acrylics industry for this purpose.

The following tips are supplied with the Aquaflame

For Flame Polishing applications

Model 500: 6 x No 20 & 2 x No 21

Model 800: 4 x No 18, 2 x No 19, 4 x No 20, & 4 x No 21

Model 1200: 2 x No 17, 4 x No 18, 2 x No 19, 4 x No 20 & 2 x No.21

For Jewellery / Micro soldering applications

Model 500: 2 x No 20, 2 x No 21, 2 x No 2 2, 2 x No 23, 2 x No 24

Model 800: 2 x No 18, 2 x No 19, 2 x No 20, 2 x No 21, 2 x No 22, 2 x No 23, 2 x No 24

Model 1200: 2 x No 17, 2 x No 18, 2 x No 19, 2 x No 20, 2 x No 21, 2 x No 22, 2 x No 23, 2 x No 24

All the hoses and torches required are supplied with a new machine. If you require two torches you will need to order a “Second Man Operator Kit”.

Aquaflame produces a local precise heat ideal for manufacture of circuit boards, medical instruments, thermocouples and many other precision soldering applications. Aquaflame can solder through the eye of a needle.

Yes you can solder medium & easy platinum solder the smallest torch size is number 19 therefore you will need a model 800 or 1200 Aquaflame.

Aquaflame is powerful enough to do all the soldering jobs in the jewellery workshop without the need for dangerous and heavy bottled gas. Applications include soldering of large and small parts, re-tipping, resizing, repairs, melt ups, annealing. Aquaflame is also widely used for soldering platinum. Aquaflame will do all the above without the need for dangerous bottled gas.

The Model 500 is designed for one operator and is not widely used in flame polishing. The Model 800 can be used in one or two operator mode, the Model 1200 can be used in one or two operator mode.

Please note that if you use an 800 or a 1200 with two operators the power output per torch will reduce. In simple terms an 800 in two operator mode will become 2 x 500 machines, a 1200 in two operator mode will become 2 x 800 machines.

Our best selling machine for flame polishing is the Model 800 used in one operator mode. Customers purchase a Model 1200 if they wish to run two operators or polish acrylic over 10mm in one pass.

Please note that for every additional operator a “Second Man Operator Kit” will need to be purchased.

In one pass the Aquaflame will polish as follows:

• Model 500 – 5mm in one pass
• Model 800 – 10mm in one pass
• Model 1200 – 15mm in one pass

Aquaflame is used for polishing curved edges, intricate areas, internal sections (e.g. holes in sheets) and organic shapes. It is also useful for smoothing off sharp edges polished with a diamond polisher, polishing herring bone finishes left after laser cutting and polishing routed edges. In general it can be used for cleaning up any general blemishes on the edges of acrylic.

Aquaflame gives a clean flame because it is burning hydrogen and oxygen so there is no discolouration of the acrylic material.

To check for gas leaks close the valve on the torch and switch on the machine. The red gas production light should remain off. If the gas production light is flashing slowly there is a leak. Check first that the torch valve is completely closed. If the light is still flashing, check that the cell and booster caps are tightly closed. If the light continues to flash, check that there are no micro holes or torn sections on the neoprene tubes. If the gas light continues to flash contact Aquaflame Service Centre.

No real damage will ensue if the machine is not run daily or if it is left for over a week without being used. It is good practice to run the machine for 20 minutes or so every 2-3 days. Simply light the flame and leave running for 20 minutes.

This depends on the state of the machine and the amount of work and / or parts required. Once the machine arrives at our service centre it is assessed and a quotation is given before any work is started. The quotation is binding upon Aquaflame. A twelve month service guarantee is provided with the machine.

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This depends on your usage but normally after 4000 working hours. In general terms we would say that this would be every 2 years. Aquaflame have a fully equipped service workshop and if possible will return machines almost as new.

If the MEK becomes discoloured it will need to be changed. Disconnect the neoprene tubes and empty the Booster through the outlet marked “Torch”. Then swill inside the booster with some fresh MEK. Next top up with 220mls of fresh MEK. Take care all the way through the procedure and protect your eyes from spillages by wearing safety goggles. The MEK should be replaced every 36 working hours.

As good practice the Electrolyte Crystals and MEK levels should be checked daily.

These will not need to be filled every day. Do not add extra crystals to the cell – only add deionized water. Top up the electrolyser cell only to full mark – do not overfill.

Top up the Gas Booster with MEK to full mark – again do not overfill.

No other daily maintenance is required.

Day to day maintenance instructions are screen printed on front of the machines. Please also see the Getting Started Fact Sheet

Yes Aquaflame Systems offers a full back up service and repairs most other types of Flame Polishing and Microsoldering systems. In export markets please contact your local dealer for information on servicing.

No they will only require replacement when your machine is serviced.

UK

In UK the Aquaflame machine is supplied with the correct quantity of electrolyte crystals. In addition you need to purchase deionized water and MEK available in 1 litre and 5 litre containers.

Export

Both electrolyte crystals and MEK are classed as dangerous goods for shipping purposes. It is therefore prohibitively expensive to ship them from UK. The chemicals are readily available locally and will be supplied by the local distributor.

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You need electrolyte crystals, deionised water and MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) in order for Aquaflame to produce gas. The crystals are diluted in deionised water and added to the cell. The MEK is added to the Booster. Please see getting started fact sheet for chemical quantities.

Always increase or decrease the flame size by changing the torch tip. Do not reduce the flame by closing the torch valve as this will result in the flame burning back and damaging the torch tip.

Firstly ensure the torch is turned completely off and the flame extinguished. You can then turn the machine of at the main switch.

Aquaflame machines are completely safe.

The machine only produces gas at low pressure and when the machine is running, so there are no safety issues as there are with bottled gas.

Once the machine is switched off gas production stops.

The amount of gas produced is very small so there is no danger of explosion.

The Aquaflame machine is fitted with all the necessary safety features including flash backs both to the torch & to the machine.

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Aquaflame equipment is very safe because it does not require pressurised gas cylinders.

Aquaflame has a low capital cost and low running costs. Once the machine is filled it only needs topping up from time to time with deionised water and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). If you run the machine for 40 hours in a week it might use 20ml of MEK (end user cost £1.87). It is not necessary to re-fill the electrolyte between services – only top up with deionised water.

Aquaflame is easy to use – simply switch the power on and start work. Once you finish working simply close down the torch valve and switch the power off.

Aquaflame is completely safe because it produces gas on demand and there is no stored gas. In addition it is lightweight and portable – there is no heavy lifting as with gas bottles and no H&S issues to deal with internally apart from carrying out a risk assessment.

Aquaflame is manufactured in UK and has full CE mark approval. The equipment is pre–tested in our factory before despatch with quality, efficiency, safety and reliability all built in as standard. Many machines that were built 25 years ago are still running today.

Aquaflame is environmentally friendly – the only by product is water.

Aquaflame is much cheaper to run than bottled gas costing a few pence per day.

Aquaflame produces gas from water and works on the principle of electrolysis. Electricity is passed through an electrolyte solution resulting in the production of hydrogen and oxygen. The gas is then passed through a MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) solution that gives a flame with the optimum working temperature of 1850 ° C. (3365 ° F). This produces a highly efficient and low cost high energy heat source. The only by product other than energy is water. The flame is clean and safe with no toxic effects.