A stud welding process and a stud welding device for welding a stud to a workpiece are provided, wherein an arc (LB) is generated between the surface of the stud that faces the workpiece and the workpiece by using a pulsed welding current (Is), and the arc (LB) is deflected by a magnetic field which is generated by a coil through which a current (I.sub.A) flows. The current (I.sub.A) through the coil for generating the magnetic field for deflecting the arc (LB) is activated synchronously and in anti-phase with the welding current (I.sub.s) by a current (I.sub.A) always being applied to the coil when the welding current (I.sub.s) is at a minimum, and the coil being switched off or the current (I.sub.A) through the coil being reduced to a minimum when the welding current (I.sub.s) is at a maximum.

Systems and methods of the present invention are directed to welding systems having a welding power supply and wire feeder, where the power supply and wire feeder communicate over the welding power cables. In exemplary embodiments, the wire feeder communicates with the power supply over the welding cables using current draw pulses which are generated and recognized by the power supply. Similarly, the power supply generates voltage pulses which are transmitted over the welding power cables and recognized by the wire feeder.

Systems and methods of the present invention are directed to welding systems having a welding power supply and wire feeder, where the power supply and wire feeder communicate over the welding power cables. In exemplary embodiments, the wire feeder communicates with the power supply over the welding cables using current draw pulses which are generated and recognized by the power supply. Similarly, the power supply generates voltage pulses which are transmitted over the welding power cables and recognized by the wire feeder.

Systems and methods of the present invention are directed to welding systems having a welding power supply and wire feeder, where the power supply and wire feeder communicate over the welding power cables. In exemplary embodiments, the wire feeder communicates with the power supply over the welding cables using current draw pulses which are generated and recognized by the power supply. Similarly, the power supply generates voltage pulses which are transmitted over the welding power cables and recognized by the wire feeder.

Welding systems are presented, in which a single power source provides a first DC output to a plurality of digital waveform controlled chopper modules. Welding modules are also disclosed for converting an input DC signal to a welding signal, which are comprised of a down-chopper for providing a welding signal waveform according to a pulse width modulated switching signal, along with a digital waveform controller providing the switching signal according to a desired waveform.

A welding system comprises a welding power source that provides an alternating current in a selected wave form having a set of positive and negative portions, the negative portion consisting of a peak, tailout, and background phase, and the positive portion consisting of a peak, tailout, and background; wherein the power source provides an upward ramping current during the pinch and detachment phase, switches to an electrode negative current during the negative peak, tailout, and background phases, and switches to a subsequent electrode positive portion; wherein, the positive portion may repeat prior to the next shorting event.

Melting energy exemplified by an arc (24) is delivered to a metal alloy material (22, 23), forming a melt pool (26). A metal oxide material (34) is delivered (33) to the melt pool and dispersed therein. The melting energy and oxide deliveries are controlled (44) to melt the alloy material, but not to melt at least most of the metal oxide material. The deliveries may be controlled so that the melting energy does not intercept the metal oxide delivery. The melting energy may be controlled to create a temperature of the melt pool that does not reach the melting point of the metal oxide. Deliveries of the melting energy and the oxide may alternate so they do not overlap in time. A cold metal transfer apparatus (22) and process (18, 19, 20) may be used for example in combination with an oxide particle pulse delivery device (42, 46).

A method of forming a microelectronic device structure comprises coiling a portion of a wire up and around at least one sidewall of a structure protruding from a substrate. At least one interface between an upper region of the structure and an upper region of the coiled portion of the wire is welded to form a fused region between the structure and the wire.

A method and apparatus for providing welding type power is disclosed. The output is cyclical, and is a controlled voltage output during the background and/or peak and a controlled current output during the transition up and/or down. During the controlled current portion the output is responsive to output voltage.

A method and apparatus for controlling arc/short between a wire and a work piece is described. A current path parallel to the wire/work is provided. The voltage drop across the parallel path can be preset, to limit the wire/work voltage, or it can be controlled to a desired level. The control can be in response to feedback.