Systems, methods, and apparatus to preheat welding wire
Systems, methods, and apparatus to preheat weld wire are disclosed. An example contact tip includes: an inner bore configured to conduct current to a consumable welding electrode; screw threads on an exterior of the contact tip; and a head opposite the screw threads on an exterior of the contact tip to enable threading and dethreading of the contact tip.
1 . A contact tip, comprising:
an inner bore configured to make direct physical contact with and conduct current to a consumable welding electrode;
screw threads on an exterior of the contact tip, wherein the screw threads comprise longitudinal slots to permit welding gas to flow along an exterior of the contact tip; and
a head opposite the screw threads on an exterior of the contact tip to enable threading and dethreading of the contact tip.
2 . The contact tip as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a second bore having a larger diameter than the inner bore, the second bore configured to fit over a wire liner of a welding torch and located on a rear side of the contact tip relative to the inner bore.
3 . The contact tip as defined in claim 2 , wherein the inner bore has a diameter less than an outer diameter of the wire liner.
4 . The contact tip as defined in claim 1 , wherein the head comprises a hexagonal cross-section.
5 . The contact tip as defined in claim 1 , wherein the inner bore extends through the head.
6 . The contact tip as defined in claim 1 , wherein the head has a smaller diameter than a major diameter of the screw threads.
7 . The contact tip as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a contact insert in the inner bore and configured to contact the consumable welding electrode to conduct current between the consumable welding electrode and the contact tip.
8 . A contact tip, comprising:
an inner bore configured to make direct physical contact with and conduct current to a consumable welding electrode; and
screw threads on an exterior of the contact tip, wherein the screw threads comprise longitudinal slots to permit welding gas to flow along an exterior of the contact tip.
9 . The contact tip as defined in claim 8 , further comprising a second bore having a larger diameter than the inner bore, the second bore configured to fit over a wire liner of a welding torch and located on a rear side of the contact tip relative to the inner bore.
10 . The contact tip as defined in claim 9 , wherein the inner bore has a diameter less than an outer diameter of the wire liner.
11 . The contact tip as defined in claim 8 , further comprising a contact insert in the inner bore and configured to make the physical contact with the consumable welding electrode to conduct current between the consumable welding electrode and the contact tip.