Abstract: A weld travel speed sensing system includes at least one sound sensor configured to sense a sound generated to allow determination of a position of a welding torch. The weld travel speed sensing system is configured to determine a position of a point on the welding torch based on the sensed sound.

Abstract: A method of controlling a welding system includes controlling a weld current supplied to an electrode at a current ramp rate and determining an arc length based at least in part on the controlled weld current and a changing arc voltage. The arc length includes a distance between the electrode and a workpiece, and the arc voltage includes a voltage between the electrode and the workpiece.

Abstract: The present systems and methods relate generally to the field of welding systems, and particularly to flux-cored arc welding systems with self-shielded electrodes (FCAW-S). In an embodiment, a tubular welding wire includes a core and a sheath disposed around the core. Further, the tubular welding wire includes greater than approximately 2.4% glassy slag promoter by weight.

Abstract: A travel speed sensing system includes an optical sensor configured to be coupled to a welding torch. The optical sensor is configured to sense light incident on the optical sensor, and the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine a travel speed of the welding torch, a direction of the welding torch, or both, based on the sensed light.

Abstract: A welding system includes a first sensor associated with a welding helmet and configured to sense a parameter indicative of a position of a welding torch relative to the welding helmet. The travel speed sensing system also includes a processing system communicatively coupled to the first sensor and configured to determine a position of the welding torch relative to a workpiece based on the sensed first parameter.

Abstract: A method of controlling a back weld root surface includes arranging a sealing portion along the back weld root surface of a workpiece to form a purge region adjacent to a section of a joint, supplying a shielding gas within the purge region at a first flow rate, and applying a weld deposit across a front surface of the section of the joint. The shielding gas displaces an ambient environment within the purge region, and the back weld root surface of the weld deposit includes a positive root penetration relative to the back weld root surface based at least in part on the shielding gas within the purge region.

Abstract: Welding power is generated by first generating two different current waveforms, and comparing the waveform values for control intervals to select which waveform provides the greater current. The waveforms are for different transfer modes, such as one for a pulsed arc portion, and another for a short-circuit transfer mode or for short-circuit clearing. The waveforms may be programmed by settings in a state machine. A balance or relative prioritization in the comparison may be influenced by user inputs. The resulting hybrid process has aspects of both spray transfer and short-circuit transfer modes.

Abstract: A welding system and method provide for generating a controlled waveform for welding power output, the waveform comprising a plurality of successive peak phases followed by a short circuit between a welding wire electrode and an advancing weld puddle. Each then present peak phase is regulated based upon at least the immediately preceding short circuit to control the short circuit that will occur following the then present peak phase. Some embodiments permit regulating at least one waveform phase based upon at least the immediately preceding short circuit to control the next short circuit that will occur, and regulating at least one short response phase based upon at least the immediately preceding short circuit to control the next short circuit that will occur.

Abstract: Welding power is generated by first generating two different current waveforms, and comparing the waveform values for control intervals to select which waveform provides the greater current. The waveforms are for different transfer modes, such as one for a pulsed arc portion, and another for a short-circuit transfer mode or for short-circuit clearing. The waveforms may be programmed by settings in a state machine. A balance or relative prioritization in the comparison may be influenced by user inputs. The resulting hybrid process has aspects of both spray transfer and short-circuit transfer modes.

Abstract: A welding regime may implements cyclic short circuits under a closed loop voltage control approach. Upon clearing or imminent clearing of the short circuit, a current recess is implemented. The current recess reduces the current that would otherwise be applied to the weld, resulting in multiple benefits. The recess may be implemented by suspending voltage command signals. Following the current recess, normal control is resumed with the then-current voltage command.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a spatter generating event during a welding application. The method includes capturing data that corresponds to a welding current of the welding application. The method also includes detecting parameters associated with a short circuit from the captured data. The method includes analyzing the detected parameters to monitor the spatter generating event during the welding application.

Abstract: A method of controlling a welding system includes providing a welding wire to a welding torch at a first wire feed speed, providing a pulsed power output to the welding wire via a contact point of the welding torch, determining, utilizing a sensing system, a contact-point-to-work-distance (CPWD) between the contact point and a workpiece, and changing, utilizing a controller, the wire feed speed of the welding wire to a second wire feed speed based at least in part on the determined CPWD.

Abstract: A welding system includes a welding torch, a power supply, one or more sensors, and a controller is provided. The welding torch advances an electrode toward a workpiece in a first direction. The power supply provides a flow of electricity to the electrode for generating a welding arc between the electrode and the workpiece. Generating the welding arc generates a weld puddle behind the welding arc as the electrode moves in the first direction. The sensor generates a voltage output signal based on the amount of light received from the weld puddle. The controller is communicatively coupled with the sensor to receive the voltage output signal, and the sensor controls a welding parameter of the welding system based the voltage output signal.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a spatter generating event during a welding application. The method includes capturing data that corresponds to a welding current of the welding application. The method also includes detecting parameters associated with a short circuit from the captured data. The method includes analyzing the detected parameters to monitor the spatter generating event during the welding application.

Abstract: A constant voltage (CV) welding process power supply including a controller that implements a variable minimum current is provided. The controller is configured to periodically compute a running current value during a welding operation. The controller is also configured to periodically compute a minimum current value based on a difference between the running current value and a preset offset value, wherein the preset offset value remains constant throughout the welding operation.

Abstract: A method of controlling a welding system includes controlling a weld current supplied to an electrode at a current ramp rate and determining an arc length based at least in part on the controlled weld current and a changing arc voltage. The arc length includes a distance between the electrode and a workpiece, and the arc voltage includes a voltage between the electrode and the workpiece.

Abstract: A material processing system includes a power supply and a wire feeder to feed a wire electrode for a material processing operation. The enthalpy and/or temperature of a region of the tip of the electrode is maintained substantially constant via closed loop control. The control may be based upon regulation of current applied to the electrode. The control of the current may be based upon an electrode extension error. Wire feed speed may also be controlled to assist in maintaining a substantially constant enthalpy and/or temperature near the electrode tip.

Abstract: A welding method includes feeding a welding electrode axially from a welding torch, moving the welding electrode radially in a desired pattern with respect to a central axis of the welding torch by a motion control assembly within the welding torch, transmitting from control circuitry a signal corresponding to a position of the welding electrode relative to a weld joint or weld pool, advancing the welding torch or a workpiece to establish a weld, and transferring material from the welding electrode to a first location in an area of the weld pool. The welding electrode moves radially while feeding the welding electrode from the welding torch, the material from the welding electrode is transferred to the first location during a first cycle of the desired pattern, and the first location is controlled based at least in part on the signal.

Abstract: A method of operating a welding system includes supplying a weld current and a weld voltage to an electrode via a plurality of pulse periods, where each pulse period of the plurality of pulse periods includes a background phase and a peak phase. The method also includes detecting the occurrence of an anomalous cathode event during the background phase of a first pulse period of the plurality of pulse periods based at least in part on when a voltage value of the weld voltage is greater than a detect voltage. The method also includes controlling the weld current to a desired current during a portion of the anomalous cathode event. The portion includes an interval of the background phase of the first pulse period, and the weld current is controlled independent of the weld voltage during the portion of the anomalous cathode event.

Abstract: A system having a welding wire hub with a wire-specific interface. The wire-specific interface may be configured to enable mounting with a first wire spool and configured to prevent mounting with a second wire spool. In some embodiments, the first and second wire spools have different welding wire types.