171115-003 - Thermal Arc .045 V-Groove Bottom Drive Roll for Fabricator 252i

Precision Wire Feeding for Thermal Arc Systems

The Thermal Arc 171115-003 is a specialized bottom drive roll engineered to maintain the high-performance standards of the Fabricator 252i multiprocess welder. In the realm of MIG welding, the integrity of the wire feed mechanism is paramount to arc stability and weld quality. This component features a precision-machined V-Groove, the industry standard profile for feeding solid hard wires such as mild steel and stainless steel. Unlike knurled rolls which bite into flux-cored wires, or U-groove rolls designed for soft aluminum, this V-Groove roll provides the necessary friction to push .045-inch (1.2 mm) solid wire through the liner and gun without deforming the wire surface or creating metal shavings that can clog the liner.

As a genuine OEM part, this drive roll guarantees strict dimensional tolerances that aftermarket copies often fail to meet. Proper alignment between the bottom drive roll, the wire guide, and the top pressure roll is critical; even minor deviations can lead to erratic feeding, burn-backs, or birdnesting at the feeder inlet. This roll is specifically designated as the bottom gear in the feed assembly, working in conjunction with a corresponding top pressure device to deliver smooth, consistent wire delivery at all wire feed speeds supported by the Fabricator 252i.

Maintenance professionals and industrial procurement specialists understand that using correct drive rolls for the specific wire diameter is not optional—it is a requirement for equipment longevity. Using this .045" roll with smaller or larger wires would result in either crushing the wire or insufficient traction. By stocking the 171115-003, facilities ensure their Fabricator 252i units remain operational and ready for heavy-duty fabrication tasks involving .045" solid wire.