Abstract: A welding system includes a welding wire feeder, and the welding wire feeder includes a motor and an adjustable drive shaft assembly. The motor is and configured to rotate a feed roll with respect to the wire drive assembly housing. The adjustable drive shaft assembly is coupled to the motor and configured to couple with the feed roll. The adjustable drive shaft assembly includes a drive mechanism configured to urge rotation of the feed roll and to adjust a position of the feed roll relative to the wire drive assembly housing.

Abstract: A voltage sensing wire feeder includes a storage device and a user interface. The user interface is configured to receive a first selection and a second selection. The first selection is configured to direct the voltage sensing wire feeder to use a first group of settings stored in the storage device, and the second selection is configured to direct the voltage sensing wire feeder to use a second group of settings stored in the storage device.

Abstract: An electric arc welder including a high speed switching power supply with a controller for creating high frequency current pulses with negative polarity components through the gap between a workpiece and a welding wire advancing toward the workpiece, where the pulses and a background current defining a series of weld cycles. A wave shape generator defines the shape of the pulses and the background current including a controlled ramp up and/or ramp down in each of said cycles, and a circuit to change the shapes of the pulses and/or background current in a repeating pattern in each of the weld cycles, including a negative current in at one of said pulses. The shape change in a cycle can be between first and second shapes or by a rhythmic AC modulation.

Abstract: If a short circuit does not occur during deceleration of a wire feed speed in forward feed of a welding wire before the wire feed speed reaches a predetermined wire feed speed, a cyclic change is stopped and the wire feed speed is constantly controlled at the first feed speed. If a short circuit occurs during forward feed at the first feed speed, deceleration from the first feed speed starts, and the cyclic change is resumed for welding. This achieves uniform weld bead without increasing spatters even if any external disturbance such as change of distance between a tip and base material occurs.

Abstract: A semi-automatic brazing apparatus having a brazing wire feeding apparatus containing a brazing wire feed mechanism a controller, and a user input device. The brazing wire from a brazing wire source is continuously drawn from the source through the apparatus via the feeding mechanism and is directed towards a brazing gun for a semi-automatic brazing operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling arc welding where an arc is generated between a welding wire as a consumable electrode and an object to be welded. The method includes: keeping a wire feed speed at a predetermined constant speed in a steady-state welding period; and at a time point when welding termination is ordered, either switching the wire feed speed from the predetermined constant speed to a wire feed speed at which the welding wire is fed in alternating forward and backward directions, or decreasing the wire feed speed from the predetermined constant speed with time, and then switching the wire feed speed to the wire feed speed at which the welding wire is fed in alternating forward and backward directions at a time point when a predetermined time period has passed since when welding termination was ordered.

Abstract: A method of welding surface-treated members together using a welding wire includes a step of transferring a droplet detached from the wire to the members and a step of pushing the melt pool in the direction opposite to the direction of welding in such a manner that the gas generated from the members during welding is released from the site of generation. The melt pool is pushed to expose the overlapped region of these members. The gas generated from the members is released to the exposed portion, preventing generation of pores such as blowholes, and also generation of spatters.

Abstract: A method and system to determine optimum operating parameters for the startup phase of a welding-type process based on user-desired operating parameters of the post-startup or welding phase of the welding-type process are disclosed. While applicable to a number of welding-type processes, the method and system are particularly configured to determine an optimum wire feed speed for Gas Metal Arc Welding of aluminum using pulse spray transfer.

Abstract: A welding system including a fine tuning knob and a coarse adjustment knob for setting a weld wire feed speed are provided. The welding system may include a welder having the coarse adjustment knob and a spool gun having the fine tuning knob. A user may adjust the knob on the welder to set a coarse adjustment wire feed speed and may adjust the knob on the spool gun to fine tune the wire feed speed setting.

Abstract: In a welding wire storage device for a welding system including a housing with a wire core surrounding the welding wire being arcuately arranged to lie freely in a free space of the housing, one end of the wire core is fixed in an end region of the housing and a measuring means is provided to detect the deflection of the wire core. In order to provide a very simple and compact structure for such a welding wire storage device, the wire core is displaceably mounted in a guide element on the opposite end region, and two coupling mechanisms, for connection with a wire guide hose for the wire core are arranged on the housing.

Abstract: A welding wire feeder includes a wire feed drive and wire feed control circuitry coupled to the wire feed drive to control the drive of welding wire towards the welding application. The welding wire feeder includes power conversion circuitry configured to receive input power and to convert the input power to welding output suitable for a welding application, output voltage sensors configured to measure output voltage, output current sensors configured to measure output current, and control circuitry coupled to the power conversion circuitry and to the output voltage and current sensors. The power conversion circuitry includes power storage circuitry configured to store energy and to discharge at least a portion of the stored energy during an overdraw event. The control circuitry is configured to control the output current during the overdraw event to maintain a stored energy value of the power storage circuitry greater than a desired minimum energy value.

Abstract: A welding-type device has a wireless communication unit to transmit wireless signals comprising at least identification information or location information. The information may be transmitted either automatically or in response to request signals. Such a welding-type device may be configured to communicate with other welding-type devices, a monitoring device, or both. A wireless communication system has at least one welding-type device, at least one wireless communication assembly, and at least one monitoring device and is capable of assisting a user in locating particular welding-type devices, monitoring inventory, preventing theft of welding-type devices, and scheduling preventive maintenance.

Abstract: A welding system is disclosed in which the rate of advancement of wire electrode is determined automatically. The device can include a control circuit that determines the rate of advancement of the wire electrode in response to a signal from the voltage selection device of the welding system. Depending upon the operator selected voltage which is selected via the voltage selection device, the control circuit will determine the appropriate rate of wire electrode advancement and control the advancement mechanism (e.g., electric motor) accordingly. Linking of the voltage level and wire-feed speed controls facilities easy of use for more novice operators and, furthermore, facilitates single-handed adjustment of two operational parameters during a welding process.

Abstract: An arc welding control method carries out weld with a welding current and a welding speed different from those at a steady welding period according to intrinsic resistivity of a weld wire or a base material at a welding start period and a welding end period, so as to obtain a satisfactory welding quality.

Abstract: A method and system to determine optimum operating parameters for the startup phase of a welding-type process based on user-desired operating parameters of the post-startup or welding phase of the welding-type process are disclosed. While applicable to a number of welding-type processes, the method and system are particularly configured to determine an optimum wire feed speed for Gas Metal Arc Welding of aluminum using pulse spray transfer.

Abstract: A welding system, in certain embodiments, includes a synchronization controller configured to override a first nominal calibration of a first wire drive, or a second nominal calibration of a second wire drive, or both, in response to a tension condition or a compression condition of a welding wire feeding between the first and second wire drives. A welding system, in other embodiments, includes a welding wire drive having a motor, a controller, a nominal calibration, and a multi-drive synchronization parameter. The multi-drive synchronization parameter may be configured to control speed, or torque, or both, of multiple drives including the welding wire drive to facilitate synchronization of the multiple drives.

Abstract: Systems and methods of communicating between a welding power source and a welding wire feeder to improve the operation of a welding system. Two-way communication between a welding power source and a welding wire feeder is provided either wirelessly or over the welding output cable. The communication between the welding power source and the welding wire feeder facilitates output voltage selection at the welding wire feeder as well as the entering of a lower output power state of the welding power source when not welding.

Abstract: A method of operating a welding wire feeder includes receiving an input power signal from a power source and converting the input power signal to a bus power signal on an internal bus at a first time with a boost converter. The method also includes detecting bus voltage and bus current of the bus power signal on the internal bus and converting the bus power signal to a welding output signal at a second time with a buck converter. The welding output signal is suitable for a controlled waveform welding process. The method also includes detecting output voltage and output current of the weld output, and reducing a voltage ripple on the internal bus based at least in part on the detected bus and output current and/or voltages.

Abstract: A method of operating a welding wire feeder includes receiving an input power from a welding power source, actuating a power relay to close and open a first current carrying path for application of the input power, and actuating bypass circuitry coupled in parallel to the power relay to close and open a second current carrying path in coordination with actuating the power relay. The method of operating the welding wire feeder also includes providing a welding wire to a welding torch.

Abstract: A welding wire feeder includes a welding wire feed drive configured to drive welding wire towards a welding application and wire feed control circuitry coupled to the welding wire feed drive. The wire feed control circuitry is also configured to control the drive of welding wire towards the welding application. The welding wire feeder also includes power conversion circuitry and welding process control circuitry coupled to the power conversion circuitry. The power conversion circuitry is configured to receive input power from a welding power source and to convert the input power to controlled waveform welding output. The welding process control circuitry is configured to provide control signals for conversion of the input power to the controlled waveform welding output. The welding wire feeder also includes a process operator interface coupled to the welding process control circuitry and configured to permit operator selection of a controlled waveform welding process.

Abstract: A welding wire feeder includes a welding wire feed drive configured to drive welding wire towards a welding application, wire feed control circuitry coupled to and configured to control the welding wire feed drive. The welding wire feeder includes power conversion circuitry configured to receive polarized input power from a welding power source via input connections with defined polarities and to convert the polarized input power to welding output, sensing circuitry configured to detect the polarity of the polarized input power when connected to the input connections, and welding process control circuitry. The welding process control circuitry is coupled to the power conversion circuitry and the sensing circuitry. The welding process control circuitry is configured to provide the polarized input power to the power conversion circuitry only if the polarity of the polarized input power corresponds to the defined polarities of the input connections.

Abstract: A welding system is disclosed in which the rate of advancement of wire electrode is determined automatically. The device can include a control circuit that determines the rate of advancement of the wire electrode in response to a signal from the voltage selection device of the welding system. Depending upon the operator selected voltage which is selected via the voltage selection device, the control circuit will determine the appropriate rate of wire electrode advancement and control the advancement mechanism (e.g., electric motor) accordingly. Linking of the voltage level and wire-feed speed controls facilities easy of use for more novice operators and, furthermore, facilitates single-handed adjustment of two operational parameters during a welding process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for feeding welding wire, where the apparatus contains a wire feeding device which pays out a wire and a power source which provides a current and voltage to the wire while it is being paid out. The apparatus further includes a detection circuit which detects a short circuit in the wire when the wire makes contact with a work piece or the like, and upon detection of the short circuit the wire feeding device stops feeding the wire so that a desired stick out distance is achieved.

Abstract: A welding system including a fine tuning knob and a coarse adjustment knob for setting a weld wire feed speed are provided. The welding system may include a welder having the coarse adjustment knob and a spool gun having the fine tuning knob. A user may adjust the knob on the welder to set a coarse adjustment wire feed speed and may adjust the knob on the spool gun to fine tune the wire feed speed setting.

Abstract: A welding-type component is disclosed having a single user input that requires a user to input only a single parameter to identify a welding-type process. From the single input, operating parameters for the welding-type process automatically are set or otherwise determined. The invention streamlines the welding-type process prescription process by allowing a user to input only a single parameter than can be used to determine and coordinate other parameters for the welding-type process.

Abstract: A consumable electrode type arc welding method for generating arc between a plate-shaped work and a welding wire by a mixed shield gas including argon gas to weld the plate-shaped work, includes: making a state of reverse polarity in which the polarity of the welding wire is positive at the welding start time, and switching at least once to a state of positive polarity in which the polarity of the welding wire is negative.

Abstract: If a short circuit does not occur during deceleration of a wire feed speed in forward feed of a welding wire before the wire feed speed reaches a predetermined wire feed speed, a cyclic change is stopped and the wire feed speed is constantly controlled at the first feed speed. If a short circuit occurs during forward feed at the first feed speed, deceleration from the first feed speed starts, and the cyclic change is resumed for welding. This achieves uniform weld bead without increasing spatters even if any external disturbance such as change of distance between a tip and base material occurs.

Abstract: A method of automatically setting a welding parameter for MIG/MAG welding including the following steps:—initiating (S1) a parameter setting welding operation;—measuring (S12) a welding voltage and retrieving (S13) a parameter representing a wire feed speed during said parameter setting welding operation; and—identifying (S14) a second function mapping said welding current to said welding voltage from said measured welding voltage and said retrieved parameter.

Abstract: A method providing a welding apparatus configured to supply a welding wire to a welding gun and a welding system implementing the same is described. The welding gun has a trigger and an opening where the welding wire extends when the trigger is activated. The method also has a computer with a user interface that includes an automatic wire retract program, the program dynamically adjusting the amount of welding wire retraction based at least upon one of the following: welding arc current, welding wire size, welding wire speed and burnback time. The program monitors the welding gun and determines when the trigger is disabled. The program indicates when a first condition is satisfied and retracts the welding wire so the welding wire preferably does not extend (or minimally extends—or may be at least partially recessed within the tip) from the opening of the welding gun nozzle tip.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems including a wire spool having a core with a core diameter and wire wound around the core and having a wire diameter. An outer diameter of the wire spool is defined by a sum of the core diameter and the wire diameter. The systems may also include a sensing system having a sensor component disposed on the wire spool and/or a wire spool hub. The sensing system is adapted to acquire data corresponding to a parameter indicative of the outer diameter of the wire spool.

Abstract: A torch for connection to an electric arc welding system having a wire feeder, a power source and a weld process controller for the power source. The torch being connected to the front end of a welding gun, which gun has a rear end with a first unique component of a connector. The welding system has a second component of the connector matching the first component. The gun has a communication channel extending from the torch to the first component for transmitting data to the welding system through the connector. The torch has a memory with an identification code outputted on the communication channel to the first component and the system has a decoder circuit connected to the second component and responsive to a selected identification code.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for improved run-in control during a start of a welding process. A power circuit generates welding output power. A control circuit in communication with the power circuit controls the output power. The control circuit receives a selection of a wire feed speed setting representing a wire feed speed. The control circuit receives a selection of a run-in setting representing a run-in percentage of the wire feed speed. The control circuit determines an effective run-in percentage that is equal to the run-in percentage plus an extra percentage.

Abstract: If a short circuit does not occur during deceleration of a wire feed speed in forward feed of a welding wire before the wire feed speed reaches a predetermined wire feed speed, a cyclic change is stopped and the wire feed speed is constantly controlled at the first feed speed. If a short circuit occurs during forward feed at the first feed speed, deceleration from the first feed speed starts, and the cyclic change is resumed for welding. This achieves uniform weld bead without increasing spatters even if any external disturbance such as change of distance between a tip and base material occurs.

Abstract: If a short circuit does not occur during deceleration of a wire feed speed in forward feed of a welding wire before the wire feed speed reaches a predetermined wire feed speed, a cyclic change is stopped and the wire feed speed is constantly controlled at the first feed speed. If a short circuit occurs during forward feed at the first feed speed, deceleration from the first feed speed starts, and the cyclic change is resumed for welding. This achieves uniform weld bead without increasing spatters even if any external disturbance such as change of distance between a tip and base material occurs.

Abstract: A pulsed waveform welding operation is implemented by reference to a commanded wire feed speed set by an operator. The wire feed speed is set on a wire feeder, and a signal representative of the commanded wire feed speed is applied to a power supply. The power supply control circuitry references a look-up table in which pulsed waveform parameters are provided based upon wire feed speed. The parameters may include multiple parameters such as pulse frequency, peak current, background current, and current ramp rates. The control circuitry commands power conversion circuitry to generate the commanded waveform as a function of the commanded wire feed speed.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for welding a workpiece (16) with a consuming welding wire (13), the latter being moved substantially towards the workpiece (16) by a wire feeder (11) during a welding process, wherein a process is started and performed for removing slag (42) from the end of the welding wire (13).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for permanently interconnecting components from a heat-meltable metal material, using a robot-controlled welding unit for carrying out a hybrid welding process. According to the method, a high performance metal active gas welding process (high performance MAG) is carried out. A component (8) carrying out the high performance MAG welding process is carried along by the robot-controlled welding unit (2) to carry out the hybrid welding process, the GSMAW torch (3) which contributes to the hybrid welding process being guided so as to be dragged by the welding unit.

Abstract: An arc start control method comprises starting advance of a welding wire, and determining that a distal end of a welding wire contacts a base material and short circuit is caused. If a feed torque value is a reference torque value or greater, the welding wire is retracted and the distal end of the welding wire is separated from the base material without generating an arc. If the feed torque value is smaller than the reference torque value the welding wire is retracted and the distal end of the welding wire is separated from the base material and an initial arc is generated between the welding wire and the base material.

Abstract: A consumable is configured to operate in a robotic welding torch. The robotic welding torch includes a torch body and a tube. The tube has an elongated body extending from a supply end to a discharge end. The tube is operably connected substantially at the supply end to the torch body. The tube is configured to operably connect at the discharge end to a first set of consumables in a first configuration and to a second set of consumables in a second configuration. The first set of consumables has a first amperage capacity and the second set of consumables has a second amperage capacity substantially larger than the first amperage capacity. The tool center point of the robotic welding torch is substantially constant between the first configuration and the second configuration.

Abstract: A control method for AC pulse arc welding performed upon application of cyclic AC welding current is provided. The welding current has a cycle including an electrode negative polarity period and an electrode positive polarity period subsequent to the electrode negative polarity period. In the control method, an electrode negative polarity base current and a subsequent electrode negative polarity peak current are applied during the electrode negative polarity period. The electrode negative polarity base current has an absolute value smaller than a first critical value, and the electrode negative polarity peak current has an absolute value greater than the first critical value. Then, an electrode positive polarity peak current is applied during the electrode positive polarity period. The electrode positive polarity peak current has a value greater than a second critical value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for universally controlling the advancement of the wear-away wire electrode (3) of welding and/or soldering systems, wherein the wire electrode (3) is taken from a wire supply (2) and fed to a welding head (8) from the wire supply (2) through a protective tube (1), wherein the wire electrode (3) is both advanced by means of a push drive (4) and pulled by means of a pull drive (5), which are preferably arranged in the region of the respective ends of the protective tube (1) that are actuated in keeping with a required advancement speed of the wire electrode (3). The pull drive is controlled in accordance with the actuating signals for the push drive.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring a wire feed speed using a wire feed speed monitoring system and a computer peripheral pointing device having a motion sensor which senses motion of a wire passing by the motion sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for buffering a welding wire, whereby a wire buffer, in particular a wire buffer magazine is arranged between a wire advance device and a further wire advance device which is preferably arranged in the vicinity of a welding torch, or in the welding torch and the welding wire is run between the two wire advance devices in a wire core. According to the invention, a simple and compact a buffer device as possible and an improvement in the dynamic behaviour of the wire supply can be achieved, whereby the wire core is attached or fixed at one end and the other end thereof is free to move and the wire core with the welding wire is arranged such as to be free to move within a wire guide tube with a substantially larger cross-section than the outer diameter of the wire core and the buffer volume of the wire buffer magazine is defined by the cross-section and the length of the substantially larger wire guide tube.

Abstract: A method for controlling and/or adjusting a welding process, uses a melting electrode, wherein after ignition of an electric arc, a welding process, which is adjusted on the basis of several different welding parameters, is carried out using a welding current source, the process being controlled or adjusted by a control device. Also a corresponding welding device is used to carry out the process. In order to create the method, wherein the thermal heat economy is adjusted and/or regulated and/or controlled in order to introduce heat into the workpiece, at least two different process phases are cyclically combined, the process phases having different inputs of energy via different material transitions and/or arc types, such as a pulse current phase and a cold metal transfer phase in order to influence or control thermal heat economy, particularly the introduction of heat into the workpiece to be processed.

Abstract: A welding wire feeder includes a magnetic rotational sensor system configured to measure a parameter indicative of a wire feed speed of the welding wire feeder. The magnetic rotational sensor system includes a dipole magnet coupled to a gear driven by an electric motor of the welding wire feeder and a magnetic sensor disposed adjacent to the dipole magnet and configured to measure an angular position of the dipole magnet. The magnetic rotational sensor system also includes a processor configured to receive signals of the angular position measured by the magnetic sensor and to calculate a wire feed speed of the welding wire feeder based upon the angular position signals and configuration parameters of the welding wire feeder.

Abstract: A consumable is configured to operate in a robotic welding torch. The robotic welding torch includes a torch body and a tube. The tube has an elongated body extending from a supply end to a discharge end. The tube is operably connected substantially at the supply end to the torch body. The tube is configured to operably connect at the discharge end to a first set of consumables in a first configuration and to a second set of consumables in a second configuration. The first set of consumables has a first amperage capacity and the second set of consumables has a second amperage capacity substantially larger than the first amperage capacity. The tool center point of the robotic welding torch is substantially constant between the first configuration and the second configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling and/or adjusting a welding process, using a melting welding wire (13) wherein after ignition of an electric arc, a welding process is carried out, the welding process being adjusted on the basis of several different welding parameters and being controlled or adjusted by a control device and/or welding current source. In order to determine the position of distance between the end of the welding wire (13) and the workpiece (16), which is to be processed, in a manner which is as accurate as possible, at least one mechanical adjustment process (41) is carried out during the welding process, enabling the position of said welding wire (13) being used as a sensor.

Abstract: A pulsed waveform welding operation is implemented by reference to a commanded wire feed speed set by an operator. The wire feed speed is set on a wire feeder, and a signal representative of the commanded wire feed speed is applied to a power supply. The power supply control circuitry references a look-up table in which pulsed waveform parameters are provided based upon wire feed speed. The parameters may include multiple parameters such as pulse frequency, peak current, background current, and current ramp rates. The control circuitry commands power conversion circuitry to generate the commanded waveform as a function of the commanded wire feed speed.

Abstract: Embodiments of a welding system including a controller adapted to implement a lockout mechanism are provided. The controller may be adapted to selectively activate a learn mode and a use mode of a component of the welding system. When the learn mode is activated, the controller receives an allowable data set and stores the allowable data set to memory. When the use mode is activated, the controller receives an operational data set, references the allowable data set to check if the operational data set is allowable, logs the operational data set and enables the component of the welding system to operate when the operational data set is allowable, and disables the component of the welding system when the operational data set is not allowable.

Abstract: A hybrid wire feeder including an energy storage device and a charging circuit are provided. The hybrid wire feeder may selectively alternate between utilization of power from the energy storage device and utilization of power from a welding power supply to power the weld and one or more weld sequencing events. Some embodiments provide for the energy storage device to be adapted to discharge during periods when the welding power supply is not outputting power and to recharge from the welding power when the welding power supply is outputting power.