Abstract: A welder having an internal shielding gas regulator is disclosed. The welder has an internal gas cylinder and an internal regulator disposed in an enclosure. The welder may be equipped with an auxiliary shielding gas cylinder inlet so that a bulk shielding gas cylinder can be attached thereto and have a flow therefrom regulated by the internal shielding gas regulator. The welder constructed according to the invention is highly transportable, compact, and self-sufficient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a welding-type power supply includes providing a current wave form having an arc current portion and a short circuit current portion. An arc state is entered by retracting a welding wire, and a short circuit state is entered by advancing the wire. The current enters the arc current portion prior to the creation of the arc and the current enters the short circuit current portion prior to the creation of the short, by coordinating the wave form with the wire retraction. This may be preformed on a wire having a diameter of 2.4 mm or more to a weld and applying a welding current of less than 100 amps, or of less than 35 amps. One current waveform during the arc state includes at least three segments, and the last segment is entered into prior to the short circuit state being entered, and is the same current magnitude as the current magnitude at the start of the short circuit state.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a MIG welding machine having a 115 volt inverter. Incorporation of the 115 volt inverter into the MIG welding power source reduces the weight of the power source thereby increasing its portability. The power source may include a power factor correction circuit to provide a near-unity power factor such that output power of the inverter is more efficiently provided. Additionally, the 115 volt inverter is constructed such that for short periods of time, the inverter may output power at a level that exceeds its power rating.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a MIG welding machine having a 115 volt inverter. Incorporation of the 115 volt inverter into the MIG welding power source reduces the weight of the power source thereby increasing its portability. The power source may include a power factor correction circuit to provide a near-unity power factor such that output power of the inverter is more efficiently provided. Additionally, the 115 volt inverter is constructed such that for short periods of time, the inverter may output power at a level that exceeds its power rating.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for improved operational feedback from a plasma torch to a plasma-cutting power source. A plasma cutter includes a plasma cutting power source, a plasma torch in communication with the plasma cutting power source, and a serialization circuit disposed within the plasma torch to control transmission of multiple feedback signals from the plasma torch to the plasma cutting power source. The serialization circuit receives the multiple feedback signals and places the feedback in a queue, such that the multiple feedback signals are sent from the queue to a processing unit in the power source via a single communications link.

Abstract: A welder having an internal shielding gas regulator is disclosed. The welder has an internal gas cylinder and an internal regulator disposed in an enclosure. The welder may be equipped with an auxiliary shielding gas cylinder inlet so that a bulk shielding gas cylinder can be attached thereto and have a flow therefrom regulated by the internal shielding gas regulator. The welder constructed according to the invention is highly transportable, compact, and self-sufficient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing a plasma torch consumable is disclosed. The invention includes at least two of a tip, a shielding cup, an electrode, and a swirl ring being integral to form a unitary one-piece assembly prior to being attached to the torch. Such a construction minimizes the number of parts that must be handled and orientated when connecting the consumable assembly to a plasma torch.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for a plasma cutting system including a plasma cutting power source and a plasma torch operationally connected to the plasma cutting power source. A processing unit is disposed within the plasma torch and is configured to control the plasma cutting power source during a plasma cutting process based on operational feedback gathered of the plasma cutting process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a MIG welding machine having a 115 volt inverter. Incorporation of the 115 volt inverter into the MIG welding power source reduces the weight of the power source thereby increasing its portability. The power source may include a power factor correction circuit to provide a near-unity power factor such that output power of the inverter is more efficiently provided. Additionally, the 115 volt inverter is constructed such that for short periods of time, the inverter may output power at a level that exceeds its power rating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically determining a consumable type when a consumable is disposed within an electrode holder of a welding-type system is disclosed. The invention includes a detector assembly that measures a physical characteristic of a connected consumable and provides feedback regarding that which is measured. From the feedback, the operating parameters of a welding-type process may be automatically prescribed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a welding-type power supply includes providing a current wave form having an arc current portion and a short circuit current portion. An arc state is entered by retracting a welding wire, and a short circuit state is entered by advancing the wire. The current enters the arc current portion prior to the creation of the arc and the current enters the short circuit current portion prior to the creation of the short, by coordinating the wave form with the wire retraction. This may be preformed on a wire having a diameter of 2.4 mm or more to a weld and applying a welding current of less than 100 amps, or of less than 35 amps. One current waveform during the arc state includes at least three segments, and the last segment is entered into prior to the short circuit state being entered, and is the same current magnitude as the current magnitude at the start of the short circuit state.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for improved operational feedback from a plasma torch to a plasma-cutting power source. A plasma cutter includes a plasma cutting power source, a plasma torch in communication with the plasma cutting power source, and a serialization circuit disposed within the plasma torch to control transmission of multiple feedback signals from the plasma torch to the plasma cutting power source. The serialization circuit receives the multiple feedback signals and places the feedback in a queue, such that the multiple feedback signals are sent from the queue to a processing unit in the power source via a single communications link.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for plasma cutting is disclosed. A regulated flow of gas is provided to the torch. Power is also provides to the torch. A controller controls the system and includes a delay circuit. A gas pressure sensor is connected to the torch and/or the gas flow control, and/or the controller. A user indicator is connected to the delay circuit, and the user indicator is activated upon low pressure being detected, and maintained even if the pressure rises.

Abstract: A plasma arc cutting power supply, and method of providing plasma cutting power, is disclosed. It includes a source of power having, preferably an engine or transformer based power source, that provides a main power output and an auxiliary power output. A two-state configuration circuit is in electrical communication with the auxiliary power output. The auxiliary power output receives voltage of a first magnitude with a non-floating ground when the configuration circuit is in its first state. The auxiliary power output receives voltage of a second magnitude, preferably different than the first magnitude, with a floating ground, when the configuration circuit is in its second state. When a plasma cutting circuit is connected to the auxiliary power output the configuration circuit is set in its second state. The plasma cutting circuit includes at least one chopper. A safety circuit that disables the plasma output includes a GFI or optical isolator.

Abstract: A plasma arc cutting power supply, and method of providing plasma cutting power, is disclosed. It includes a source of power having, preferably an engine or transformer based power source, that provides a main power output and an auxiliary power output. A two-state configuration circuit is in electrical communication with the auxiliary power output. The auxiliary power output receives voltage of a first magnitude with a non-floating ground when the configuration circuit is in its first state. The auxiliary power output receives voltage of a second magnitude, preferably different than the first magnitude, with a floating ground, when the configuration circuit is in its second state. When a plasma cutting circuit is connected to the auxiliary power output the configuration circuit is set in its second state. The plasma cutting circuit includes at least one chopper. A safety circuit that disables the plasma output includes a GFI or optical isolator.