This machine could not give a consistent weld and was a failure. KJ thermoweld returned our advance payment as they could not solve the welding problem of flash butt welding stainless steel.
Looks like a strong handling machine but incredibly slow. So much of the cycle is loading/unloading the ring. The upset cylinder looks rather small for a ring of such cross section, is there enough upsetting force to generate a decent forge welding pressure at the ring joint? I'm sure I spotted a 'freeze' during the welding cycle when sparking stopped for quite a significant time.