Industrial and medical gases are used in many sectors including steelmaking, chemicals, semiconductors, and healthcare, and delivered in a best-suit way for the customer depending on the purpose and quantity of the gas used. Cylinder gas supply is widely applied for customers with relatively small gas quantity, and welding and cutting such as for automotives and constructions are typical case for the supply method as mobility is required in those sectors in many cases, for instance.
Japan Air Gases (Air Liquide Japan Ltd.) introduces a sophisticated cylinder valve, “SMARTOP^TM”, to bring to gas cylinder users new values. This new innovation has been mounted onto PURESHIELDTM*, shield gas for welding, from July 2008.
SMARTOP is a high-performance valve developed by Air Liquide Group, and about 200,000 units have been already introduced by the Group affiliates around the world.
SMARTOP improves greatly ease and efficiency of open-close operation of cylinders with one-touch lever, which is normally done with an industrial tool. Its higher visibility prevents unnecessary gas leak, and thus brings effects on safety and economy. Pressure gauge equipped to the valve enables operators to see the remaining gas amount at glance without attaching a gas regulator as in the traditional cylinder, leading to more efficient stock management. Moreover, it has flow limiter system that prevents abrupt gas blowout if the cylinder is overturned and the valve is damaged.

Jean-Francois Lecouffe, General Manager of Industrial Merchant Business Division, Japan Air Gases, commented, “Since Air Liquide pioneered the industrial gas business of Japan in 1907, cylindered gases for industrial use, particularly welding and cutting, have been a key product of ours. I am glad that we can bring our customers this innovative package, combining more-than-one-century experience and expertise, ahead of others in Japan. I believe that our customers will enjoy new values such as user-friendliness, safety, and efficiency with using SMARTOP”

*Japan Air Gases’ lineup for welding shield gas include ATAL, Nertal, Cargal, Noxal, etc., and PURESHIELD was newly added for premium-grade needs. PURESHIELD enables high-quality welding of MAG, MIG, and TIG processes. We believe that PURESHIELD improves welding quality compared to the one using traditional shield gases. For downloading pictures of the product.