Abstract: An arc welding method which makes a welding torch or welding object which is supported by a robot move and performs arc welding using a welding start point on the welding object as a start point, which method includes a step of feeding a weld wire to the welding start point, a step of stopping the feed of the weld wire after a tip of the weld wire contacts the welding object, a step of supplying a pre-arc welding power in a range where no arc is generated to input heat to the weld wire and the welding object, a step of supplying an arc generating welding power which causes generation of an arc while retracting the weld wire, and a step of supplying main welding power to perform main welding and which method reduces occurrences of spatter at the time of arc start.

Abstract: An arc welding device, having a simple structure, in which a welding torch does not interfere with external equipment. A Y-shaped torch cable includes first and second wire liners and a junction block having a Y-shaped liner section having two inlets connected to the wire liners and one outlet. A welding wire selectively fed from one of two wire feeders extends in the first or second wire liner and reaches the outlet of the liner section. Therefore, as one of plural kinds of welding wires may be selected and fed to a single-electrode welding torch, the plurality of welding wires being used for welding, nevertheless the welding torch does not interfere with external equipment.