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.

The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method related to influencing a direction of an arc within a welding operation. Within a hot wire welding operation, an arc is generated between an electrode and a workpiece and a welding wire is energized while being supplied to a puddle formed by the electrode in order to deposit the liquefied welding wire onto the workpiece. A welder system and/or method is provided that controls a direction of the arc based on at least one of a polarity of the welding wire (via a power supply that energizes the welding wire), a location of the welding wire in proximity to the arc, a synchronization and/or de-synchronization of a polarity of the welding wire with the electrode, an activation and/or a de-activation of energizing of the welding wire, or a combination thereof.

Systems and methods to start arc welding are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes: power conversion circuitry configured to convert input power to welding-type power; and control circuitry configured to: prior to a welding operation, control the power conversion circuitry to stop outputting the welding-type power to a wire electrode; and in response to identifying contact between the wire electrode and a workpiece: control the power conversion circuitry to output an arc starting current to the wire electrode; control a feed motor of a welding torch to retract the wire electrode; control the feed motor to advance the wire electrode based on a first parameter of the welding operation; and control the power conversion circuitry to output the welding-type power to the wire electrode based on the first parameter or a second parameter of the welding operation.

Systems and methods to start arc welding are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes: power conversion circuitry configured to convert input power to welding-type power; and control circuitry configured to: prior to a welding operation, control the power conversion circuitry to stop outputting the welding-type power to a wire electrode; and in response to identifying contact between the wire electrode and a workpiece: control the power conversion circuitry to output an arc starting current to the wire electrode; control a feed motor of a welding torch to retract the wire electrode; control the feed motor to advance the wire electrode based on a first parameter of the welding operation; and control the power conversion circuitry to output the welding-type power to the wire electrode based on the first parameter or a second parameter of the welding operation.