A welding power supply and method are provided with a single welding mode in its controller such that the power supply can change from full DCEN output to AC output to a full DCEP output without having to change welding modes.

A welding system includes a welder configured to output welding power to generate an arc between a welding electrode and a workpiece. The welding system also includes a power pin configured to be coupled to the welder in a first orientation or a second orientation. The power pin is configured to switch the welding power from a first polarity to a second polarity when the power pin is switched from being coupled to the welder in the first orientation to being coupled to the welder in the second orientation.

An example welding type system includes: a welding power circuit having a control input and a welding type power output; and a controller connected to the feedback circuit, wherein the controller comprises: a tuning module configured to, at least at a start of a weld, command a plurality of output parameters that are selected to determine what process is appropriate for the weld; a feedback module configured to monitor feedback while the tuning module is commanding the plurality of output parameters; and a process selection module configured to automatically select a welding process from a plurality of welding processes based on the feedback from the feedback module.

A method performed by a welding system configured to be powered by a battery to generate weld power to strike an arc for a welding or a plasma cutting operation includes: receiving a selection of a welding mode among different welding modes in which the welding system is capable of operating, to produce a selected welding mode; determining, for the selected welding mode, an energy consumption requirement that depends on the selected welding mode; determining a state of charge (SOC) of the battery and a battery energy from the SOC; determining a remaining amount of welding or plasma cutting that is supported by the battery energy based on the battery energy and the energy consumption requirement; and presenting an indication of the remaining amount for the selected welding mode.

An example of an electrical generator system includes a hydraulic motor driven by a hydraulic power system. A generator coupled to and configured to be driven by the hydraulic motor. Power conversion circuitry is used to convert the power output from the generator to a synchronous alternating current (AC) power output.

Methods and apparatus to synergically control a welding-type output during a welding-type operation are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes a power conversion circuit configured to convert input power to welding-type power and to output the welding-type power to a welding-type torch; a communication circuit configured to receive a control signal from a remote-control device during a welding-type operation; and a control circuit configured to synergically control at least two of a voltage of the welding-type power output by the power conversion circuitry, a current of the welding-type power, or a wire feed speed.

A method for controlling gas metal arc welding using a shielding gas containing 30% or more of CO2 and using a thin plate as a material to be welded, in which feeding and welding current control are performed by switching a welding current to at least a current non-reduction period or a current reduction period, includes: when there are cycles including an arc period and a short-circuit period within a predetermined time, a short-circuit time ratio determination step of determining a ratio of the short-circuit period to the predetermined time; and a welding condition determination step of setting or correcting a welding condition so that the ratio of the short-circuit period determined in the short-circuit time ratio determination step is at least equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value or a calculated threshold value, or equal to a predetermined target value or a calculated target value.

In order to synchronize the at least two pulse welding processes performed simultaneously by welding devices in a multiple pulse welding process, the welding devices are connected to one another by a communication link and synchronization information is transmitted via the communication link from a transmitting welding device to at least one receiving welding device. The synchronization information is used in the receiving welding device to synchronize the pulse welding process performed by the receiving welding device with the pulse welding process performed by the transmitting welding device.

A welding system comprising a user manipulatable device, a proximity sensor positioned on said user manipulatable device, an engine capable of operation in an energy conservation mode and an operating mode, and a generator operatively coupled to the engine. The generator may provide at least one of (1) a welding current output or (2) an auxiliary power output. The engine may operate (1) in the operating mode when the proximity sensor outputs the first output signal, and (2) in the energy conservation mode when the engine is not operating in the operating mode. The proximity sensor may be configured to output the first output signal when an operator of said welding system is in-range.

Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically activating or deactivating a gouging torch. In particular, the disclosed systems and methods activate and/or deactivate a gouging torch based on a valve operation selection. For example, for welding power supplies and/or welding wire feeders configured to operate both wire welding processes as well as gouging, a valve can be integrated with a gouging torch, which can be adjusted to allow or arrest the flow of compressed air to the gouging torch. In response, the welding power source and/or welding wire feeder automatically changes one or more output characteristics, to switch between a wire welding process and a gouging process without requiring the operator to interact with either the welding power source or welding wire feeder.