Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding include initiating a pulse welding process includes initiating a welding arc by providing CC type welding power, maintaining the arc by providing CV type power. Then, pulse type welding power is provided. The method and system can be used to start short circuit, or other welding processes by providing short circuit power, or welding power of a given mode, instead of providing pulse power. Also, in one alternative, a method and system of initiating a pulse, short circuit, or given welding process includes initiating a welding arc by providing CC type welding power at least until a pseudo-equilibrium for the arc is established. Then, providing welding power in a pulse, short circuit, or the given mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The output is preferably a cyclical CV MIG output, and each cycle is divided into segments. An output parameter is sampled a plurality of times within one or more of the segments. The CV output is controlled within the at least one segment in response to the sampling. The parameter is output power, a resistance of the load, an output current, an output voltage, or functions thereof in various embodiments. The control loop is preferably a PI or PID loop. The loop may be applied only within a window. The set point may be taught or fixed. The system can be used to weld with a controlled arc length.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a control that upon detection of an autothread input determines the amount of time in which a motor of a drive assembly should be activated so as to precisely supply an initial segment of wire to a welding gun of a welding system. The control determines the requisite time necessary to precisely thread the welding wire based on a wire feed speed and gun length. The gun length and wire feed speed may be determined from a series of user inputs or read from memory. By limiting user involvement with the actual “feeding” of wire to the welding gun, a more precise segment of welding wire may be fed to the welding gun such that trimming of wire extending past the tip of the welding gun is not needed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a control that upon detection of an autothread input determines the amount of time which a motor of a drive assembly should be activated so as to precisely supply an initial segment of wire to a welding gun of a welding system. The control determines the requisite time necessary to precisely thread the welding wire based on a wire feed speed and gun length. The gun length and wire feed speed may be determined from a series of user inputs or read from memory. By limiting user involvement with the actual “feeding” of wire to the welding gun, a more precise segment of welding wire may be fed to the welding gun such that trimming of wire extending past the tip of the welding gun is not needed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power including a source of welding-type power connected to a controller is disclosed. The controller includes a controller network module with a controller multiple level message module. A welding-type device includes a device network module with a device multiple level message module. A network is operatively connected to the network modules, and is capable of sending a plurality of multiple level messages. A welding peripheral and/or a second source of power has a network module with a multiple level module and is connected to the network. The multiple level message includes an identifier portion and a data portion, and the data portion can include a pointer portion and a value portion in various alternatives. The components may have memory connected to the multiple level message modules, and store common message decoding data therein so that they have shared knowledge for decoding the pointer portions and data portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a welding-type power supply and a robot are disclosed. They include entering a calibration mode (in the welding-type power supply) and providing one or two predetermined commands (for a welding parameter) from the robot to the welding-type power supply, and comparing them to two standards. A command scaling curve for the parameter is calculated in response to the comparisons. Predetermined commands, relating to two or more different welding parameters, may be used to calibrate two or more parameters, and to create two or more command scaling curves. Parameters that are calibrated include wire feed speed, voltage and arc length (trim). Feedback from the welding-type power supply may be provided to the robot that is indicative of a commanded output. The predetermined commands may alternatively be user-determined, or provided by a user interface or a memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power including a source of welding-type power connected to a controller is disclosed. The controller includes a controller network module with a controller multiple level message module. A welding-type device includes a device network module with a device multiple level message module. A network is operatively connected to the network modules, and is capable of sending a plurality of multiple level messages. A welding peripheral and/or a second source of power has a network module with a multiple level module and is connected to the network. The multiple level message includes an identifier portion and a data portion, and the data portion can include a pointer portion and a value portion in various alternatives. The components may have memory connected to the multiple level message modules, and store common message decoding data therein so that they have shared knowledge for decoding the pointer portions and data portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a welding-type power supply and a robot are disclosed. They include entering a calibration mode (in the welding-type power supply) and providing one or two predetermined commands (for a welding parameter) from the robot to the welding-type power supply, and comparing them to two standards. A command scaling curve for the parameter is calculated in response to the comparisons. Predetermined commands, relating to two or more different welding parameters, may be used to calibrate two or more parameters, and to create two or more command scaling curves. Parameters that are calibrated include wire feed speed, voltage and arc length (trim). Feedback from the welding-type power supply may be provided to the robot that is indicative of a commanded output. The predetermined commands may alternatively be user-determined, or provided by a user interface or a memory.

Abstract: Instabilities in the output voltage provided from an AC power supply system such as an uninterruptible power supply connected to a power factor correcting load are suppressed by a dynamic voltage regulation stabilizer system which is connected across the output lines from the power supply system to the load. The DVR stabilizer system includes a rectifier connected to the power supply system output lines. A capacitor is connected across the output nodes of the rectifier. Switching devices form a bridge that connects the capacitor to the output lines. Selected switching devices in the bridge are turned on for a selected duration encompassing the time of the peak of each half-cycle of the AC voltage waveform provided by the power supply system. During normal operation, where the peak AC voltage from the power supply system is substantially constant, the capacitor charges up through the rectifier to a voltage level near the peak value of the AC voltage waveform.