The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for pretreating a wire that is used in a welding operation to reduce the amount of hydrogen introduced into a weld. Using embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein, one passes a wire through a pre-treatment chamber in which a wire is treated to release hydrogen and/or other contaminants, and provides a gas flow through the pre-treatment chamber so that the contaminants that are released from the wire are taken up by the gas. The gas exiting the pre-treatment chamber may be isolated from the shielding gas utilized during a welding operation. For instance, the pretreatment gas may be directed away from the distal end of the welding torch, thereby preventing released contaminants from being transported into a weld.

A gas delivery system delivers a shielding gas from a source through one or more hoses to a torch having a nozzle during welding of a workpiece. A shielding gas controller includes an inlet, an outlet, and at least one valve between the inlet and the outlet. The valve operates in response to a predetermined minimum shielding gas flow set point. The shielding gas controller operates the valve before or after a weld to change the flow of the shielding gas according to the predetermined minimum shielding gas flow set point. A method of welding includes predetermining a flow rate of a shielding gas, predetermining another flow rate of the gas, dispensing the gas at the first flow rate proximate a first weld pool during welding, and dispensing the shielding gas at the second flow rate, different from the first flow rate, during welding of another weld on the workpiece.

The present invention is a fume extraction system for use on a gas shielded welding device. The fume extraction system includes an extraction hose mounting bracket which has an internal flange adapted to mount about a welding torch. The bracket has a collar spaced from the internal flange that defines an interior space. A fume extraction port is in operative communication with the interior space. An intake shroud is mounted to the collar. The intake shroud is generally tubular and open at one end. The fume extraction port, interior space and shroud create an air-path through the extraction hose mounting bracket. In this way, the fume extraction system is connected to an air filter through the extraction port and the air filter draws air along said air-path through the interior space and the intake shroud without interfering with the gas shield welding operation.

A method includes ramping down a welding current, generated by a power supply, that reaches a welding zone via a welding circuit, storing inductive energy from the welding circuit that is generated as a result of the ramping down to obtain stored energy, and selectively feeding the stored energy to the welding circuit.

The present invention enables even a beginner to acquire the technique easily and perform suitable spot welding, and achieves improved workability, improved welding quality, improved productivity, and the like. The present invention includes a torch body 2 for passing a shielding gas, a tungsten electrode rod 5 inserted into the torch body 2 and connected to a cathode, a constricted nozzle 6 for supporting a distal end portion of the tungsten electrode rod 5 concentrically, defining a gas passage 6e between the tungsten electrode rod 5 and the constricted nozzle 6 for flowing a shielding gas G, and discharging the shielding gas G from the constricted nozzle 6 at a higher speed than the shielding gas G discharged from the distal end of the torch body 2, and a cylindrical electrode nozzle 7 having conductivity arranged concentrically with the tungsten electrode rod 5 on the outer circumference of the constricted nozzle 6, connected to the anode via a ground cable 18, and configured to have a tapered shape at a distal end portion, wherein the tapered distal end portion is located further outside than the distal end portion of the tungsten electrode rod 5, gas vent ports 7c and 7d of the shielding gas G are provided on the electrode nozzle 7.

A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is configured to increase the oxidation of ejected melted metal drops for the formation of metal support structures during manufacture of a metal object with the apparatus. The oxidation can be increased by either increasing a distance between the ejector head and a platform supporting the metal object or by providing an air flow transverse to the direction of movement of the melted metal drops, or both.

Cryogenic sources can be used for shielding in wire-based additive manufacturing. Cryogenic shielding can provide better shielding during print, as well as more efficient cooling compared to using regular room temperature shielding gas. Cryogenic shielding can extend the nozzle run time by preventing spatter build up in nozzles. Cryogenic sources also can be used for active part cooling and/or active weld puddle cooling.

Apparatuses, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.

An arc welding apparatus disclosed in this specification includes: first electrode; second electrode; and a first gas supply unit which supplies a first shielding gas from the circumference of a base material-side portion of an arc region formed between the first electrode and a base material connected to the second electrode toward the center of the arc region, and controls the ratio of the pressure outside the arc region to the pressure at the center of the arc region to within the range of 70 to 5000.

A pulse welding period includes a first peak period for supplying a first peak current to a welding wire, a first base period for supplying a base current smaller than the first peak current to the welding wire, a second peak period for supplying a second peak current to the welding wire after alternately repeating the first peak period and the first base period (n1) times (n is an integer equal to or larger than 2), and a second base period for supplying the base current to the welding wire. The second peak current is larger than the first peak current, and droplets are transferred from the welding wire during the second peak period or the second base period.