Koike Aronson LD4 Benchtop Welding Positioner

Bench positioner for small MIG and TIG weldments

The Koike Aronson LD4 is a compact benchtop welding positioner made in Arcade, New York. It rotates parts of up to 400 lb at a variable 0.25 to 6.5 RPM and tilts them through 0 to 105 degrees in eight fixed 15-degree steps, so circumferential welds on flanges, small pipe assemblies, wheels and fittings can be made in the flat position. The drive holds speed under maximum load and is built to resist TIG high-frequency interference.

A 300 A rotary ground keeps the welding current path clean through full rotation, and 3/8 in NPT tapped through-holes at each end of the shaft let inert gas be routed through the part for back purging.

Technical specifications

Chucks, fixtures and bench installation

The table has integrated tapped holes for an optional three-jaw self-centering scroll chuck with an enclosed faceplate that keeps flux and spatter out. Koike lists the WP-200 (inside clamp 3.1 to 8.7 in, outside 0.8 to 5.1 in, 13 lb) and WP-300 (inside 4.7 to 11.8 in, outside 2.0 to 7.9 in, 26 lb), with a WP-400 for larger parts. The four 9/16 in slots also accept T-bolts for custom fixtures.

The momentary foot switch rotates the table at the set speed and direction only while it is pressed, so both hands stay on the torch and filler rod. Bolt the base to a rigid bench through its tie-down holes; with tall parts tilted forward, the overturning load on the bench is significant. Calculate the part’s centre of gravity relative to the table before tilting heavy assemblies.

Typical LD4 work includes pipe-to-flange joints, small pressure fittings, shafts with collars and short spool sections that are clamped in a chuck and welded with the torch fixed while the part turns. Rotation speed is chosen from the travel speed required at the weld and the part diameter; at 6.5 RPM the top of the range suits small diameters, while the low end at 0.25 RPM allows slow TIG travel on larger rings. Koike gives a 24-month warranty from date of shipment.

Documents and quotation

The Koike LD4 literature is attached under the documents tab. Other positioning equipment is listed under Welding Robots & Automation, for example the Pandjiris 30-6 welding positioner for heavier loads.

For a quotation, state part weight and size, the chuck if required and the supply voltage available.