From 3M, this Speedglas™ 9100V Large Auto Dark Lens Welding Filter is designed for use with the 3M™ Speedglas™ 9100 series welding helmets. The viewing area is 6.05 in² and features a magnifying lens holder conveniently placed on the inside of the welding helmet.

The welding lens offers a choice of 7 user-selectable dark shades to suit a wide range of welding applications. It also features a comfort mode to help reduce eye fatigue.

It can be used with the welding helmets such as the 3M 9100 FX Air (188-9543)

• Easy to install welding filter for use with 9100 series helmets

• 817-9340 is a 3M Speedglas ™ 9100 V standard auto dark welding filter

This filter is designed specifically to be used with a welding hood, and should not be used by itself or with non-specified equipment. Welding helmets, or welding hoods, are essential personal protection equipment wherever arc welding takes place. The helmet has advantages over goggles in that they also protect the face and neck from flash sparks, and can even serve as face protection PPE when grinding. The 3M™ Speedglas™ 9100 FX Air Welding Helmet is designed to be fitted with auto-darkening lenses.

Auto-darkening lenses have advantages over static polarized viewing lenses, in that you can see as normal when not welding without having to adjust your mask. The viewing lens only darkens in response to the light given off from arc welding. In many countries, an auto-darkening welding mask is an industry safety requirement wherever welding equipment is used, and they are regarded as a standard piece of safety equipment for welders.

There are two main types of welding filter- those that have fixed-darkness, and those that are auto-darkening l. Fixed darkness filters are usually used with helmets that have a flip-up face shield, so that you can see normally when you are not welding, and then nod your head to put the mask in place once you are ready to weld.

Auto-darkening filters use a polarizing filter that automatically prevents harmful flash burn to the user. This has the advantage that the wearer does not have to adjust their helmet for working, saving them time and effort. As they do not need to be adjusted, they reduce the risk of exposure to harmful light.

The main disadvantage of a darkening welding filter is that they are often more expensive than their fixed-darkness counterparts. It is important to choose the welding filter and mask that is best suited to the job at hand.