Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and/or methods for configuring and/or reconfiguring welding-type power sockets and/or welding-type plugs are disclosed. In some examples, welding-type power sockets and/or welding-type plugs may be configurable (and/or reconfigurable) through custom socket inserts, socket connectors, plug adapters, and plug receptacles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a welding type power is disclosed. It includes an outer housing having a wind tunnel within the outer housing. Air flows through the wind tunnel in an air flow direction. The width of the tunnel is less at one location than at another location. Electrical components receive power and provide a welding type output. A first group of those components require air flow for cooling, and are disposed at least partially in the wind tunnel. A second group of components are not disposed in the wind tunnel. The wind tunnel can also change direction.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and/or methods for configuring and/or reconfiguring welding-type power sockets and/or welding-type plugs are disclosed. In some examples, welding-type power sockets and/or welding-type plugs may be configurable (and/or reconfigurable) through custom socket inserts, socket connectors, plug adapters, and plug receptacles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding type power, including a power and control circuit is disclosed. The power circuit provides welding, control and aux power. The control and aux power are provided with a transformer, and secondary windings for control and aux power are wound on a single bobbin, with a winding separator separating them. Air vents, which can be formed by fins on the bobbin or separator allow cooling of the inner winding.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a welding type power is disclosed. It includes an outer housing having a wind tunnel within the outer housing. Air flows through the wind tunnel in an air flow direction. The width of the tunnel is less at one location than at another location. Electrical components receive power and provide a welding type output. A first group of those components require air flow for cooling, and are disposed at least partially in the wind tunnel. A second group of components are not disposed in the wind tunnel. The wind tunnel can also change direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a welding type power is disclosed. It includes an outer housing having a wind tunnel within the outer housing. Air flows through the wind tunnel in an air flow direction. The width of the tunnel is less at one location than at another location. Electrical components receive power and provide a welding type output. A first group of those components require air flow for cooling, and are disposed at least partially in the wind tunnel. A second group of components are not disposed in the wind tunnel. The wind tunnel can also change direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding type power supply includes a power circuit and a control circuit. The power circuit receives input power and provides welding type power to a welding output. The power circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding. The secondary winding is in electrical communication with the welding output. The control circuit is connected to control the power circuit. The transformer includes a bobbin with the primary winding and the secondary winding wound thereon. The bobbin can includes vents to allow air flow into the bobbin. A winding separator can be disposed between the primary and secondary windings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding type power supply includes a power circuit and a control circuit. The power circuit receives input power and provides welding type power to a welding output. The power circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding. The secondary winding is in electrical communication with the welding output. The control circuit is connected to control the power circuit. The transformer includes a bobbin with the primary winding and the secondary winding wound thereon. The bobbin can includes vents to allow air flow into the bobbin. A winding separator can be disposed between the primary and secondary windings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a welding type power is disclosed. It includes an outer housing having a wind tunnel within the outer housing. Air flows through the wind tunnel in an air flow direction. The width of the tunnel is less at one location than at another location. Electrical components receive power and provide a welding type output. A first group of those components require air flow for cooling, and are disposed at least partially in the wind tunnel. A second group of components are not disposed in the wind tunnel. The wind tunnel can also change direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding type power, including a power and control circuit is disclosed. The power circuit provides welding, control and aux power. The control and aux power are provided with a transformer, and secondary windings for control and aux power are wound on a single bobbin, with a winding separator separating them. Air vents, which can be formed by fins on the bobbin or separator allow cooling of the inner winding.

Abstract: A short resistant welder that includes, in some embodiments, a short circuit sensor configured to transmit a first signal indicative of a short circuit between a workpiece and a stud, and a stud welding controller communicatively coupled to the short circuit sensor. In certain embodiments, the stud welding controller is configured to transmit an increase-current control signal to a power supply in response to the first signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The method includes sensing the status of a trigger between an on position and an off position. A system latch is set or released based on the trigger status and the latch status. The system latches on when the trigger is held for a predetermined time (and the latch was previously off). The latch is released when the trigger is pulled and released when the latch was previously on. When the latch is off, pulling the trigger turns the system on, and releasing the trigger before the predetermined time turns the system off. The latch may also be released when welding current drops below a threshold. The time might not start until after welding current is flowing. A welding wire feed speed control potentiometer on a torch is also disclosed. The range of the torch potentiometer is from a minimum to a value dependent on the control panel welding wire feed speed. A run-in wire feed speed control is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The method includes sensing the status of a trigger between an on position and an off position. A system latch is set or released based on the trigger status and the latch status. The system latches on when the trigger is held for a predetermined time (and the latch was previously off). The latch is released when the trigger is pulled and released when the latch was previously on. When the latch is off, pulling the trigger turns the system on, and releasing the trigger before the predetermined time turns the system off. The latch may also be released when welding current drops below a threshold. The time might not start until after welding current is flowing. A welding wire feed speed control potentiometer on a torch is also disclosed. The range of the torch potentiometer is from a minimum to a value dependent on the control panel welding wire feed speed. A run-in wire feed speed control is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The method includes sensing the status of a trigger between an on position and an off position. A system latch is set or released based on the trigger status and the latch status. The system latches on when the trigger is held for a predetermined time (and the latch was previously off). The latch is released when the trigger is pulled and released when the latch was previously on. When the latch is off, pulling the trigger turns the system on, and releasing the trigger before the predetermined time turns the system off. The latch may also be released when welding current drops below a threshold. The time might not start until after welding current is flowing. A welding wire feed speed control potentiometer on a torch is also disclosed. The range of the torch potentiometer is from a minimum to a value dependent on the control panel welding wire feed speed. A run-in wire feed speed control is also disclosed.

Abstract: A welding gun comprising: an electrically conductive gun body having a passageway; a head tube assembly having one end inserted in the passageway of the gun body; a rotation nut that retains the head tube assembly in the inserted state when the rotation nut is threadably coupled to the gun body; and an electrically insulative ring installed between a portion of the gun body and an electrically conductive part of the head tube assembly. The electrically conductive gun body has a frusto-conical inner peripheral surface that is in contact with a frusto-conical outer peripheral surface of the electrically insulative ring. The rotation nut comprises an electrically conductive part that is threadably engaged to the electrically conductive gun body and that is in electrical contact with the electrically conductive portion of the head tube assembly.

Abstract: A welding gun comprising: an electrically conductive gun body having a passageway; a head tube assembly having one end inserted in the passageway of the gun body; a rotation nut that retains the head tube assembly in the inserted state when the rotation nut is threadably coupled to the gun body; and an electrically insulative ring installed between a portion of the gun body and an electrically conductive part of the head tube assembly. The electrically conductive gun body has a frusto-conical inner peripheral surface that is in contact with a frusto-conical outer peripheral surface of the electrically insulative ring. The rotation nut comprises an electrically conductive part that is threadably engaged to the electrically conductive gun body and that is in electrical contact with the electrically conductive portion of the head tube assembly.

Abstract: A MIG welding gun contact tip has a cylindrical section with a predetermined outer diameter adjacent one end, and frusto-conical surface adjacent the other end. Threads are rolled from the cylindrical section outer diameter between the cylindrical section and the frusto-conical surface. The threads major diameter is larger than the cylindrical section outer diameter, and the threads minor diameter is less than the cylindrical section outer diameter. In a preferred embodiment, the cylindrical section outer diameter is approximately 0.350 inches, the threads have a major diameter of approximately 0.375 inches, and the threads are stub acme threads with a pitch of 14 threads per inch. The contact tip is assembled to a diffuser having mating threads and a frusto-conical surface that engages the contact tip frusto-conical surface when the contact tip has been turned a single turn into the diffuser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The method includes sensing the status of a trigger between an on position and an off position. A system latch is set or released based on the trigger status and the latch status. The system latches on when the trigger is held for a predetermined time (and the latch was previously off). The latch is released when the trigger is pulled and released when the latch was previously on. When the latch is off, pulling the trigger turns the system on, and releasing the trigger before the predetermined time turns the system off. The latch may also be released when welding current drops below a threshold. The time might not start until after welding current is flowing. A welding wire feed speed control potentiometer on a torch is also disclosed. The range of the torch potentiometer is from a minimum to a value dependent on the control panel welding wire feed speed. A run-in wire feed speed control is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed with a remote wire feed speed control potentiometer on a torch is disclosed. The range of the torch potentiometer is from a minimum to a value dependent on the control panel welding wire feed speed. A run-in wire feed speed control is also disclosed. The range of the run-in wire feed speed is from a minimum to a value dependent on the control panel or torch welding wire feed speed.

Abstract: A MIG welding gun has a diffuser with an external thread and a frusto-conical back ramp. A nozzle assembly includes an insert with a back ramp and a thread that mates with the diffuser thread. The threads of the diffuser and insert have respective ramps that mate. A single turn of the nozzle assembly on the diffuser causes simultaneous engagement of the insert and diffuser back ramps and of the insert and diffuser thread ramps. Such engagement centers the nozzle to be concentric with the diffuser and also produces a wedging action that retains the nozzle assembly on the diffuser until a relatively substantial reverse torque is applied to the nozzle assembly. The nozzle front end has a narrow annulus, which reduces the amount of radiant heat from the welding arc that reaches the nozzle.