3M WS Series User manual

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3 Welding Shield WS Series
User Instructions for
•3M™ Welding Shield with Auto-Darkening Filter, Variable Shade #10-12
WS-320/37154
•3M™ Welding Auto-Darkening Filters, Variable Shade #10-12 WS-020/37156
•3M™ Welding Shield with Standard Glass Filter Plate, Shade #10
WS-110/37155
Important: Keep these User Instructions for reference.
•These products are designed to help protect the wearer’s eyes from harmful radiation including visible
light, ultra-violet radiation (UV) and infra-red radiation (IR) resulting from certain arc-welding processes
when used in accordance with these User Instructions. Use of this product in any other application such as
gas welding (oxy-acetylene) or laser welding may result in permanent eye injury and vision loss. Do
not use any welding product without appropriate training. For proper use, see supervisor, or User
Instructions or call 3M in U.S.A.1-800-243-4630. In Canada, call Technical Service at 1-800-267-4414.
•Always wear ANSI Z87.1-2003 compliant safety spectacles in addition to any welding shield. Failure to
do so may result in permanent eye injury and vision loss.
•Before each use, perform the inspection described in these User Instructions to ensure that all components
are installed and functioning as intended. Use of 3M™ welding shield assemblies that do not meet these
inspection requirements may result in permanent eye injury and vision loss.
•Should the 3M™Auto Darkening Filter (ADF) fail to switch to dark mode upon striking an arc, stop
welding immediately and inspect the ADF as described in these User Instructions. Continued use of an
ADF that fails to switch to the dark state may result in permanent eye injury and vision loss. If the
problem cannot be identified and corrected, do not use the ADF; contact your supervisor, distributor or 3M
for assistance.
•Do not use welding filters that are cracked, pitted or otherwise damaged as these conditions may
compromise eye/face impact protection and may allow harmful UV and IR radiation to pass through
causing permanent eye injury and vision loss.
•Severe burn injuries may result if these welding shields are used for heavy-duty overhead welding
applications where there is a potential for falling molten metal.

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•Only operate these ADFs at temperatures between 23°F (–5°C) and 131°F (+55°C). If used outside of this
range, the filter may not perform as designed and may result in permanent eye injury and vision loss.
GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION
This product contains no components made from natural rubber latex.
Intended Use
The 3M™ Welding Shield Assemblies WS Series are designed to help protect the wearer’s eyes from harmful
radiation including visible light, ultra-violet radiation (UV) and infrared radiation (IR) resulting from certain
arc-welding processes when used in accordance with these User Instructions. Two sensors on the front of the
ADF WS Series react independently at the moment the welding arc is struck and cause the filter to darken. The
ADF switches back to the light shade (shade 4) as soon as the welding arc has stopped. Two lithium batteries are
used as the power source. The ADF will switch off automatically approximately 60 minutes after the last arc is
detected. Protection from ultra-violet radiation (UV) and infrared radiation (IR) is continuous, whether the ADF is
in the light or the dark state. In the event of battery or electronic failure, the welder remains protected against UV
and IR radiation according to the darkest shade (shade 12).
3M™ ADFs allows the welder to view their work clearly and safely during set-up, during the weld and after
without interruption and without the burden or delay of manually lifting the shield or filter. 3M ADFs allow
manual arc welding to be performed more quickly and accurately in comparison to traditional passive welding
filter plates.
Important Use Limitations:
•These products do not provide any protection from respiratory hazards that may result from welding processes
or from other sources. 3M™ Welding Shields WS Series may be worn in conjunction with certain respirator
models. For more information about respiratory protection for welders, contact 3M Technical Service at
1-800-243-4630. In Canada, call Technical Service at 1-800-267-4414.
•The ADF WS-020/37156 is not suitable for gas welding (e.g., oxyacetylene), low-amperage TIG welding
(below 20 amps), laser welding, or welding processes that require shade 13 or higher filters. Use of this
product for these applications may result in permanent eye injury and vision loss.
•Only operate the ADF at temperatures between 23°F (–5°C) and 131°F (+55°C). If used outside of this range,
the filter may not perform as designed and may result in permanent eye injury and vision loss.

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SPECIFICATIONS
ADF Switching time Less than 0.4 milliseconds (or 1/2500 second)
Selectable Shades 10, 11 and 12
ADF Light state Shade 4
ADF Ultraviolet/Infrared Protection at all times - non-switching
ADF Battery life Average 1,500 hours on new CR 2032 battery
ADF Use temperature -5°C (23°F) to +55°C (+131°F)
ADF Viewing area 3.5 in. x 1.6 in. (90 mm x 42 mm)
ADF Auto off After 60 minutes without arc detection
Head sizes Fits hat sizes 6 (Small) through 7 ½ (X Large)
Shield and Retainer Material Polypropylene
ADF Housings Polyamide nylon
REPLACEMENT PARTS AND ASSEMBLIES
WS-320/37154 3M™ Welding Shield with Auto-Darkening Filter, Variable Shade #10 thru #12
WS-110/37155 3M™ Welding Shield with Standard Glass Filter Plate, Shade #10
WS-020/37156 3M™ Welding Auto-Darkening Filter Only, Variable Shade #10 thru #12
L-152-5/37157 3M™ Welding Filter Outside Protection Plate (all welding filters)
L-162-2/37159 3M™ Welding Shield Inside Safety Plate - for standard glass filter plates only
WS-351/37160 3M™ Welding Shield Head Suspension (includes suspension ratchet, nape pad, sweat
band and pivot hardware includes pivot hardware and nape pad)
L-115-10/37010 3M™ Welding Shield Sweat Pad
WS-352/37163 3M™ Welding Shield Filter Retainer
WS-363/37165 3M™ Inside Protection Plate (for WS-020 ADF only)
WS-356/37167 3M™ Welding Filter Battery Holder
04-0320-00/37166 Batteries, type CR-2032 (2-pack)

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ASSEMBLY AND ADJUSTMENT
3M™ Welding Shield
Adjusting head band size (Fig. 1)
The ratchet adjustment can be set to the correct head size by pushing the hand-wheel in and turning. The
adjustment position is locked when the hand-wheel is released.
Fig. 1
Adjusting the Stop Angle of the Shield (Fig. 2 & 3)
The angle that the welding shield stops when lowered for welding can be adjusted by repositioning the stud in
the shield to one of the four holes in the stop angle adjustment tab as shown. (Fig. 2) The pivot friction knob
must be loosened before performing this adjustment. The shield should be adjusted so that the welding filter is
perpendicular to the line of sight between the welder’s eye and the welding position. (Fig. 3) If the correct angle
cannot be obtained without the welding shield being too close to the face, the front-back position should be
adjusted outward as shown. (Fig. 4)
Fig. 2 Fig. 3
Adjusting the Front-Back Position
To adjust the distance between the users face and the welding shield, the pivot bushing can be positioned to the
front or back of the notched slots. The pivot friction knob must be removed in order to complete this adjustment.
(Fig. 4)

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Fig. 4
Adjusting the Pivot Friction (Fig. 5)
Adjust the pivot friction by tightening or loosening the pivot knobs on either side of the welding shield. Adjust
both knobs evenly.
Fig. 5
Assembling Standard Glass Filter Plate (Fig. 6)
Install the3M™ Inside Safety Plate L-162-2/37159, ANSI compliant standard glass filter plate, spacer gasket and
3M™ Cover Plate L-152-5/37157 as shown in the figure below. Then install the 3M™ Retainer Bracket
WS-352/37163 with the arrow facing up until its four legs are fully engaged in the sockets in the shield and the
stack assembly is firmly held in place.
Fig. 6
Assembling the ADF WS-020/37156 (Fig. 7)
While holding the shield with the shield opening facing up, insert the ADF (complete with 3M™ Inside Protection
Plate WS-363/37165) and cover plate L-152-5/37157 into the center of the shield opening. The photo-sensors

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should be at the top and facing out. Install the filter retainer WS-352/37163 bracket with the arrow facing up until
its four legs are fully engaged in the sockets in the shield and the stack assembly is firmly held in place.
Fig. 7
Removal of Welding Filters (Fig. 8)
Hold the shield just above a horizontal surface so the welding filter does not fall and break. From the inside of the
welding shield, pull inward on the protruding portion of the retainer bracket legs until their teeth disengage, then
push each of the legs through until the retainer bracket is fully disengaged from the shield.
Fig. 8a Fig. 8b Fig. 8c

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ADF FUNCTION
On/Off
To activate the welding filter, press the ON button. After each short press of the ON button, the current settings
(shade and sensitivity) are displayed by flashing LED’s. The welding filter automatically switches off
approximately 60 minutes after the last welding arc is detected. The welding filter can also be switched off
manually by pressing the ON button for a few seconds.
Shade Selection
Three different shade settings are available in the dark state, 10, 11 and 12. In order to see the current ADF shade
setting, momentarily press the Shade button. To select another shade, press the Shade button again while the LED
is flashing, and then keep pressing the button until the LED shows the desired shade. Use the appropriate shade
for the type of welding to be performed as recommended by ANSI Standard Z49.1-1999. (Table 1)
Sensitivity Selection
Press the sensitivity button once to show the current sensitivity setting on the LED scale. Continue pressing the
sensitivity button to switch between high and low sensitivity. The sensitivity adjustment controls the amount of
light needed to trigger the ADF to the selected dark shade. In order to find a suitable sensitivity setting, start on
LOW. This setting is suitable for most applications. If the filter does not darken during welding as desired, change
the sensitivity to HIGH. If more than one person is welding in an area, “false triggering” may occur when the light
from one welder's arc triggers the filter of another welder. If false triggering cannot be solved by changing
sensitivity, the 3M™ ADF WS-020/37156 may not be suitable for the application.
LOW: Normal position. Used for most types of welding indoors and outdoors.
HIGH: Position for welding with low current or stable arcs. (e.g. TIG welding at low amps).
Replacement of 3M™ Inside Protection Plate WS-363/37165 (Fig. 9)
Remove the inside protection plate as illustrated. (Fig. 9) The new inside protection plate is assembled after the
protective film is removed. Insert one side under the corner retainers. Bend the middle part as necessary to insert
the other side.
Fig. 9

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Battery Replacement (Fig. 10)
The “low battery” indicator flashes repeatedly when the battery should be replaced. The welding filter must be
removed before battery replacement can be carried out. Take out the battery holder (a small screwdriver can be
used if necessary). Remove the used batteries and dispose of them according to the local regulations. Insert two
new CR-2032 batteries in the battery holder. (Fig. 10) Push the battery holder into the welding filter until it snaps
in position.
Fig. 10
INSPECTION
Carefully inspect welding filters before each use. Cracked, pitted or scratched filter glass or protection plates can
seriously impair protection and reduce vision. The sensors on the ADF must be kept clean and uncovered at all
times to provide correct function. Check for cracks in the shield and look for light leaks. All damaged
components should be replaced immediately.
•Before each use, perform the inspection described in these User Instructions to ensure that all
components are installed and functioning as intended. Use of 3M™ welding shield assemblies that
do not meet these inspection requirements may result in permanent eye injury and vision loss.
•Do not use welding filters that are cracked, pitted or otherwise damaged as these conditions may
compromise eye/face impact protection and may allow harmful UV and IR radiation to pass through
causing permanent eye injury and vision loss.

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CLEANING AND STORAGE
Clean the welding shield with mild soap and lukewarm water. Do not use solvents. Clean the welding filter with a
clean, lint-free tissue or cloth. Do not immerse ADFs in water or spray directly with liquids.
Store equipment in a clean dry and dust-free environment at room temperature.
Table 1. Recommended Guide for Shade Numbers
(Adapted from ANSI Z49.1-1999)
Operation
Electrode
diameter
inches
Arc
current,
amps
Minimum
Protective
Shade
Recommended
Shade
Number
< 3 < 60 7 ---
3-5 60-160 8 10
5-8 160-250 10 12
Shielded
metal arc
> 8 250-550 11 14
< 60 7 ---
60-160 10 11
160-250 10 12
Gas-
metal-arc
welding
250-500 10 14
< 50 8 10
50-150 8 12
Gas-
tungsten-
arc 150-500 10 14
< 500 10 12
Air-
carbon-
arc
cutting 500-
1000 11 14
< 20 6 6-8
20-100 8 10
100-400 10 12
Plasma-
arc
welding
400-800 11 14
< 300 8 9
300-400 9 12
Plasma-
arc cutting
400-800 10 14
Torch
brazing 3-4
Torch
soldering 2
Carbon
arc
welding 14
Plate thickness, inches
< 1/8 4-5
1/8-1/2 5-6
Gas
welding
> 1/2 6-8
< 1 3-4
1-6 4-5
Oxygen
cutting
> 6 5-6

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WARRANTY
3M warrants Welding Filters WS Series for 24 months from the date of purchase against all manufacturing
defects resulting from materials or workmanship (proof of purchase required). This warranty is void in case of
operator misuse, abuse, or neglect. Read these User Instructions to avoid certain situations, which could void this
warranty (for example, cracked filters and filters covered with weld spatter are not covered under the warranty
policy).
FOR MORE INFORMATION
In United States, contact:
Internet: www.3M.com/occsafety
Technical Assistance: 1-800-243-4630
For other 3M products:
1-800-3M-HELPS or 1-651-737-6501
3M Occupational Health and
Environmental Safety Division
3M Center, Building 0235-02-W-70
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
©3M 2005 38-9018-6400-9