Abstract: An example welding power supply includes: a power input configured to receive alternating current (AC) input power; and power conversion circuitry configured to: convert a first portion of the input power to welding power; output the welding power to a weld circuit; convert a second portion of the input power to preheating power; and output the preheating power to a preheater.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicate via a welding arc are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes a power converter, a weld monitor, and an arc modulator. The power converter outputs welding power to sustain a welding-type arc at a welding-type torch. The weld monitor monitors one or more aspects of a weld performed using the welding-type arc and the welding-type torch, and selects an audio message based on the one or more aspects. The arc modulator configured to modify the welding-type arc to output the selected audio message as a plasma speaker.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicate via a welding arc are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes a power converter, a weld monitor, and an arc modulator. The power converter outputs welding power to sustain a welding-type arc at a welding-type torch. The weld monitor monitors one or more aspects of a weld performed using the welding-type arc and the welding-type torch, and selects an audio message based on the one or more aspects. The arc modulator configured to modify the welding-type arc to output the selected audio message as a plasma speaker.

Abstract: A system for controlling multiple wire feed motors for use in a welding-type system including a push motor controlled to operate at a target wire feed speed and a pull motor disposed in a welding torch controlled to apply a target torque to the fed welding wire. Such a system eliminates shaving and bird nesting of welding wire.

Abstract: Systems and methods for setting welding parameters are provided. For example, in certain embodiments, a method includes receiving an input relating to a change in a parameter of welding power of a welding system via a welding system interface. The method also includes displaying a graphical representation of an acceptable range of values for the parameter of the welding power on a display device of the welding system interface, wherein the acceptable range of values is based on other parameters of a welding process being performed by the welding system. The method further includes constraining subsequent manual inputs relating to changes in the parameter of the welding power to the acceptable range of values.

Abstract: An example welding-type power supply includes: power conversion circuitry configured to convert input power to welding-type power; a user interface configured to receive two or more inputs associated with corresponding qualitative characteristics of a welding arc created by the welding-type power, wherein the two or more inputs are defined within corresponding ranges of the respective qualitative characteristics; and control circuitry configured to: in response to a change in a first one of the two or more inputs, determine a corresponding change in a second one of the two or more inputs based on a relationship between the first and second ones of the two or more inputs; determine two or more welding-type parameters based on the two or more inputs; and control the power conversion circuitry based on the determined welding-type parameters.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for mitigating audible noise generated by a welding-type power supply are disclosed. In some examples, the switching frequency of the welding-type power supply may be changed to a frequency that is outside the audible range for humans. This strategy takes advantage of the fact that the observed audible noise is generated by vibrating components within the welding-type power supply that vibrate at a frequency related to the switching frequency. Other noise mitigation strategies include dithering and deactivation of portions of the welding-type power supply that vibrate to generate the audible noise.

Abstract: Systems and methods for setting welding parameters are provided. For example, in certain embodiments, a method includes receiving an input relating to a change in a parameter of welding power of a welding system via a welding system interface. The method also includes displaying a graphical representation of an acceptable range of values for the parameter of the welding power on a display device of the welding system interface, wherein the acceptable range of values is based on other parameters of a welding process being performed by the welding system. The method further includes constraining subsequent manual inputs relating to changes in the parameter of the welding power to the acceptable range of values.

Abstract: Systems and methods to control pulse welding are disclosed. An example welding-type system includes: power conversion circuitry configured to convert input power to welding-type power; and control circuitry configured to control the power conversion circuitry to output the welding-type power in a plurality of pulse cycles, each pulse cycle including background, ramp up, peak, and ramp down phases. Controlling the power conversion circuitry involves: during the background phase, controlling the power conversion circuitry in a voltage-controlled mode using a background voltage as a target voltage; during the ramp up phase, controlling the power conversion circuitry by changing the target voltage to a peak voltage; during the peak phase, controlling the power conversion circuitry using the peak voltage as the target voltage; and during the ramp down phase, controlling the power conversion circuitry by changing the target voltage to the background voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a constant current controller for use in constant current welding applications are described. In one embodiment, a current controller controls the output current of the welding torch without directly measuring the output current of the welding torch. The current controller controls or sets a current in a primary winding of a transformer in an inverter of a welding power supply to control the output current of the welding torch.

Abstract: A system for controlling multiple wire feed motors for use in a welding-type system including a push motor controlled to operate at a target wire feed speed and a pull motor disposed in a welding torch controlled to apply a target torque to the fed welding wire. Such a system eliminates shaving and bird nesting of welding wire.

Abstract: An example robotic welding system includes: one or more sensors configured to determine a physical position and orientation of a welding tool with respect to a reference frame; and a processor configured to: communicatively connect to a welding-type power supply; during a welding operation performed using the welding tool: track the physical position and orientation of the welding tool within the reference frame; and monitor at least one of an input or an output of the welding-type power supply; and generate a robotic welding procedure based on the tracked physical position and orientation of the welding tool and based on the at least one monitored input or monitored output of the welding-type power supply.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to synergically control a welding-type output during a welding-type operation are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes a power conversion circuit configured to convert input power to welding-type power and to output the welding-type power to a welding-type torch; a communication circuit configured to receive a control signal from a remote-control device during a welding-type operation; and a control circuit configured to synergically control at least two of a voltage of the welding-type power output by the power conversion circuitry, a current of the welding-type power, or a wire feed speed.

Abstract: Devices and methods to heat food over an open flame are disclosed. An example food warming device includes a fork and pan used together to evenly distribute heat into solid food, minimize direct heat from the flame to the food, and reduce the chance of igniting the food.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing welding power supplies with interleaved inverter circuitry are described. In one embodiment, a welding power supply includes, for example, a first inverter circuit and a second inverter circuit that are arranged in parallel. A voltage source or a current source is coupled to a first same node of the first inverter circuit and the second inverter circuit. A filter inductor is coupled to a second same node of the first inverter circuit and the second inverter circuit. The output current of the filter inductor is halved in frequency by disabling one of the first inverter circuit and the second inverter circuit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selecting welding schedules in welding-type torches. A welding-type torch configured for use during welding-type operations, with the welding-type torch comprising an input device configured for setting a welding-type parameter, such as welding schedules, associated with a welding-type device that is used in conjunction with the welding-type torch during the welding-type operations. The welding-type device may be a welding-type power source. The welding-type torch is connected to the welding-type device via a welding-type connector, with the setting of the welding-type parameter occurring via the welding-type connector and without requiring a change to structure of the welding-type connector.

Abstract: An example welding-type power supply includes: power conversion circuitry configured to convert input power to welding-type power and to output the welding-type power to a welding-type torch; a communication circuit configured to receive a synergic control signal from a remote control device during a welding-type operation; and control circuitry configured to: based on the synergic control signal, synergically control at least two of a voltage of the welding-type power output by the power conversion circuitry, a current of the welding-type power, or a wire feed speed; and output a feedback control signal to control an operator feedback device based on the synergic control signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to synergically control a welding-type output during a welding-type operation are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes a power conversion circuit configured to convert input power to welding-type power and to output the welding-type power to a welding-type torch; a communication circuit configured to receive a control signal from a remote control device during a welding-type operation; and a control circuit configured to synergically control at least two of a voltage of the welding-type power output by the power conversion circuitry, a current of the welding-type power, or a wire feed speed.

Abstract: An example welding-type power supply includes power conversion circuitry configured to convert input power to welding-type power and to output the welding-type power to a welding-type torch; communications circuitry configured to receive a control signal from a remote control device during a welding-type operation, wherein the control signal is representative of a value within a first predetermined range of values; and control circuitry configured to: determine, based on at least one physical characteristic of a welding operation, a first limit range of a voltage, a current, or a wire feed speed and a second limit range of a second one of the voltage, the current, or the wire feed speed; and synergically control the first one and the second one of the voltage, the current, or the wire feed speed within the first limit range and within the second limit range based on the value of the control signal, wherein the first limit range and the second limit range are mapped to the first predetermined range of values.

Abstract: A power conversion assembly for use in a welding power supply includes a power magnetics module and a power electronics module. The power magnetics module includes at least one transformer disposed on a first wind tunnel housing. The power electronics module is separate from and electrically coupled to the power magnetics module. The power electronics module includes switching circuitry and one or more heat sinks to remove heat from the switching circuitry. The switching circuitry and the heat sinks are disposed on a second wind tunnel housing coupled to the first wind tunnel housing.