Abstract: The present invention relates to a welding process and apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to a welding process and apparatus for performing welding in various positions characterized in that a shifting magnetic field is generated in the vicinity of a molten metal pool to induce an eddy current in the molten metal pool, whereby an electromagnetic driving force is caused to act on the molten metal pool to control the shape of the molten metal pool, and welding is carried out while controlling the shape of the molten metal pool in this manner. According to the welding process and apparatus of the present invention, the welding efficiency can be enhanced irrespective of any welding positions.

Abstract: An arc welding process having a welding arc generated between a consumable electrode and the materials to be welded and a welding torch is oscillated along the welding joint line, wherein the arc length is longer when the welding torch is located at the forward side of the oscillation than when the welding torch is located at the backward side of the oscillation with respect to the weld advancing direction, whereby sufficient penetration is obtained.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel arc welding process of the type in which an electrode is placed in a weld groove with an insulating material interposed between the electrode and the inner surfaces of said groove. The process utilizes the principle by which an arc produced tends to be directed toward a region having the least or thinnest density of magnetic flux. Accordingly, this permits the welding arc produced to be directed toward the desired portion in the weld groove, thereby giving greater penetration thereat. For such purposes, various embodiments are presented, such as placing a subsidiary backing member of a ferromagnetic substance above or beneath the weld groove, causing electric current to flow through the backing member independently of the welding current, or providing two backing members in the same manner described through which, for instance, alternating currents having a phase difference of 180.degree.