Published 2 Aug 2019

See what you’ve been missing with Miller’s ClearLight™ Lens Technology

The latest auto-darkening lens technology from Miller, ClearLight Lens Technology, improves visibility by letting a greater range to colours through.

Selecting the right welding helmet plays an integral part in welding operator safety and comfort, and can also assist in improving efficiency, productivity, and weld quality.

An important consideration when selecting the right welding helmet for your application is the type and quality of lens used in the helmet.

At the most basic level, a welding lens is certified to protect you from the ultraviolet (UV) and infrared rays of the welding arc. In addition to protecting from harmful rays, an auto-darkening lens uses optical (and sometimes electromagnetic) sensors to change from a “light” state to a “dark” state when an arc is struck. Recently, new technologies have led to improvements for auto-darkening welding lenses.

The latest auto-darkening lens technology from Miller — ClearLight Lens Technology — improves visibility by allowing a larger range of colours to come through the lens — giving you a clearer view of the weld pool and surrounding workpiece while welding. Helmets with this new lens technology are also designed to reduce eye strain when you’re not welding, enabling you to leave your helmet down during pre-weld setup or when finishing work; leading to greater efficiency and continuous protection.

Safety & Productivity Benefits

Injuries in a welding environment most commonly occur when welders aren’t welding and your helmet in the up position. ClearLight Lens Technology, reduces eye strain by providing greater clarity and a brighter light state, giving you the capability to keep the helmet down when performing non-welding tasks, like grinding or cleaning. In the past, it was necessary to raise the helmet up for a clear line of sight.

In addition to the safety benefits of using the ClearLight Lens Technology provides, the improvements deliver added benefits that can assist productivity improvements.

When you can clearly see the weld pool and surrounding workpiece, it can lead to higher-quality welds and less rework — saving time and money. ClearLight Lens Technology makes it easier for you to do your job, potentially leading to increased output.

Seeing more Colours

ClearLight Lens Technology allows more wavelengths along the colour spectrum to come through the welding filter and auto-darkening lens.

Where previous filter technology prevented some colours from passing through — which resulted in the operator seeing an artificial yellow, green, or blue tint — ClearLight Lens Technology allows colours commonly emitted during welding to pass through the lens filter, providing a more colour-neutral lens.

The image below illustrates the improved lens technology, showing transmittance percentage (y-axis) along the wavelength light scale (x-axis). The green line shows the colour band resulting from traditional lens technology, while the blue line shows the wide-band filter from the ClearLight Lens Technology. The display is a good representation of the additional colours that you can see when welding with ClearLight Lens Technology.

Even when not welding, you’ll benefit from ClearLight Lens Technology. The heightened contrast in colours makes it easier to see outlying items when in between welds –leading to increased helmet down time.

A brighter light state

ClearLight Lens Technology provides a brighter light state. Light state refers to the state of the lens when it is not darkened for welding and is measured on a numeric scale that represents how much light is being filtered out. This scale typically runs from shade 4 to 13 for welding helmets. The higher the number, the more light is being filtered out and the darker the lens. For example, a shade 13 would be a darkened lens for high-amperage welding.

ClearLight Lens Technology is a three on the numeric scale, achieving a brighter light start, meaning you have a brighter view when wearing a Miller Digital Elite or Infinity helmet while welding or working.

The brighter light state from the ClearLight Lens Technology provides numerous benefits, reducing the number of times you remove your helmet, as well as how often you raise your helmet to the up position. In addition, a brighter light state can reduce eye strain – an important comfort and safety factor, especially when welding over extended periods of time.

Additional Factors to consider

When it comes to choosing the right helmet, there are additional factors to consider apart from ClearLight Lens Technology. A helmet that is correctly balanced is just as critical its weight, since both reduced weight and improved balance reduce neck strain and improve comfort. It can also help increase productivity by allowing for more arc-on time.

Headgear technology that utilises flexible materials provides a more secure fit and conforms to your unique head shape and size, improving comfort and efficiency – minimising irritation or pressure points that lead to headaches.

Choose a helmet that goes beyond basic

ClearLight Lens Technology provides you with a clearer view of your work — a key feature that helps avoid costly mistakes and rework by making it easier to see the weld pool. ClearLight Lens Technology can also reduce the potential for eye strain – making it more comfortable for you to keep the helmet down.

When selecting a welding helmet, consider available lens technologies like ClearLight Lens Technology. Investing in a helmet capable of providing a brighter light state and a wider range of colours can help improve safety, compliance, productivity, and operator comfort in the welding operation.

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