A multi-process welding machine provides an intuitive user interface to enable a user to select among different welding processes, and to select parameters for a given selected welding process. The multi-process welding machine also provides an arrangement by which a switching module, or DC to AC converter, of an AC TIG unit can be controlled to alternatively supply AC or DC welding voltages or current. Further, a configuration of switches can be leveraged to automatically (or manually) control the polarity of welding cables for different processes and to engage or disengage a wire feeder when, e.g., a MIG welding process is selected, or not selected, respectively. Finally, in an embodiment, the ferrite or magnetic materials used for a main output inductor and an high frequency starting inductor of the welding machine can be combined.

A system may include a current source; a first metal or alloy component with a first major surface electrically coupled to the current source; a second metal or alloy component with a second major surface electrically coupled in series to the first component and the current source via an external electrical conductor, where the first and second major surfaces are positioned adjacent to each other to define a joint region; a metal or alloy powder disposed in at least a portion of the joint region; and a controller. The controller may be configured to cause the current source to output an alternating current that conducts through the first component and the second component to induce magnetic eddy currents, magnetic hysteresis, or both within at least a portion of the metal or alloy powder disposed in at least the first portion of the joint region.

In order to develop a welding process in such a way that uniform flaking of a weld seam can be guaranteed even with a higher number of short-circuit cycles, a specific number of short-circuit cycles is specified for the cold welding phase and the cold phase duration of the cold welding phase is determined for a number of short-circuit cycles that exceeds a specified limit cycle number, depending on a determined cold phase time and after the cold welding phase, there is a switch to the hot welding phase.

Provided is an arc welding device that performs welding by alternately repeating a short-circuit period provided with a short-circuit state in which a welding wire and a base material are short-circuited, and an arc period provided with an arc state in which an arc is generated between the welding wire and the base material. A calculation unit calculates an integrated power value by integrating power supplied to the welding wire within a predetermined period, after the welding wire is short-circuited. A controller reduces a welding current to be supplied to welding wire when the integrated power value is larger than a predetermined threshold.

Provided is an arc welding device that performs welding by alternately repeating a short-circuit period provided with a short-circuit state in which a welding wire and a base material are short-circuited, and an arc period provided with an arc state in which an arc is generated between the welding wire and the base material. A calculation unit calculates an integrated power value by integrating power supplied to the welding wire within a predetermined period, after the welding wire is short-circuited. A controller reduces a welding current to be supplied to welding wire when the integrated power value is larger than a predetermined threshold.

In arc welding in which a welding wire serving as a consumable electrode is fed toward a base material and a welding current is caused to flow through the welding wire and the base material to alternately repeat a reverse polarity period and a positive polarity period, after a short circuit between the welding wire and the base material is detected, a feeding speed of the welding wire is changed from a first feeding speed to a second feeding speed on a negative side of the first feeding speed when a speed in a direction toward the base material is defined as positive.

In arc welding in which a welding wire serving as a consumable electrode is fed toward a base material and a welding current is caused to flow through the welding wire and the base material to alternately repeat a reverse polarity period and a positive polarity period, after a short circuit between the welding wire and the base material is detected, a feeding speed of the welding wire is changed from a first feeding speed to a second feeding speed on a negative side of the first feeding speed when a speed in a direction toward the base material is defined as positive.

Arc welding, in which a welding wire serving as a consumable electrode is fed toward a base material and a welding current alternately including a peak current and a base current is caused to flow through the welding wire and the base material, is performed such that after a short-circuit between the welding wire and the base material is detected, a feeding speed of the welding wire is changed from a first feeding speed to a second feeding speed that is on a negative side from the first feeding speed when a speed in a direction in which the welding wire is fed toward the base material is defined as positive.

Arc welding, in which a welding wire serving as a consumable electrode is fed toward a base material and a welding current alternately including a peak current and a base current is caused to flow through the welding wire and the base material, is performed such that after a short-circuit between the welding wire and the base material is detected, a feeding speed of the welding wire is changed from a first feeding speed to a second feeding speed that is on a negative side from the first feeding speed when a speed in a direction in which the welding wire is fed toward the base material is defined as positive.

Methods and system of the present invention include hot-wire welding system used in combination with arc welding systems, where the welding system initiates an arc clearing routine in hot-wire welding system. The arc clearing routine includes detection of an arc and then skipping a complete pulse of the hot-wire waveform and initiating the next pulse to determine is consumable separation still exists. Follow-on pulses are repeatedly initiated until it is determined that consumable separation does not exist, at which time the hot-wire operation is continued.