System and method for preventing stub-outs in GTAW
A system and method for welding. In some embodiments, the system includes a tungsten electrode, an electrode position actuator, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit may be configured to detect contact between the tungsten electrode and a weld puddle, and, in response to detecting contact between the tungsten electrode and the weld puddle, to control the electrode position actuator to move the tungsten electrode out of contact with the weld puddle.
1 . A method for welding with a gas tungsten arc welding system, the method comprising:
detecting contact between a tungsten electrode, of the gas tungsten arc welding system, and a weld puddle;
in response to detecting contact between the tungsten electrode and the weld puddle, controlling an electrode position actuator, of the gas tungsten arc welding system, to move the tungsten electrode out of contact with the weld puddle; and
maintaining a current through the tungsten electrode, after detecting contact between the tungsten electrode and the weld puddle.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising causing shielding gas to continue flowing after detecting contact between the tungsten electrode and the weld puddle.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the causing the shielding gas to continue flowing comprises causing the shielding gas to continue flowing for at least 0.2 seconds after detecting contact between the tungsten electrode and the weld puddle.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the causing the shielding gas to continue flowing comprises causing the shielding gas to continue flowing until a command is received from an operator to shut off the flow of shielding gas.
5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the moving of the tungsten electrode comprises moving the tungsten electrode up by at least 0.05 inches within 0.5 seconds after detecting contact between the tungsten electrode and the weld puddle.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising operating, after moving the tungsten electrode out of contact with the weld puddle, with an arc voltage greater than before the contact between the tungsten electrode and the weld puddle.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing a normal sequence stop after moving the tungsten electrode out of contact with the weld puddle.
8 . A method for welding with a gas tungsten arc welding system, the method comprising:
detecting contact between a tungsten electrode, of the gas tungsten arc welding system, and a weld puddle;
in response to detecting contact between the tungsten electrode and the weld puddle, controlling an electrode position actuator, of the gas tungsten arc welding system, to move the tungsten electrode out of contact with the weld puddle; and
operating, after moving the tungsten electrode out of contact with the weld puddle, with an arc voltage greater than before the contact between the tungsten electrode and the weld puddle.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the operating with an arc voltage greater than before the contact between the tungsten electrode comprises operating with an arc voltage at least 0.1 V greater than before the contact between the tungsten electrode and the weld puddle.
10 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising performing a normal sequence stop after moving the tungsten electrode out of contact with the weld puddle.
11 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising maintaining a current through the tungsten electrode, after detecting contact between the tungsten electrode and the weld puddle.
12 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising causing shielding gas to continue flowing after detecting contact between the tungsten electrode and the weld puddle.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the causing the shielding gas to continue flowing comprises causing the shielding gas to continue flowing for at least 0.2 seconds after detecting contact between the tungsten electrode and the weld puddle.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the causing the shielding gas to continue flowing comprises causing the shielding gas to continue flowing until a command is received from an operator to shut off the flow of shielding gas.
15 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the moving of the tungsten electrode comprises moving the tungsten electrode up by at least 0.05 inches within 0.5 seconds after detecting contact between the tungsten electrode and the weld puddle.
16 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the operating with an arc voltage greater than before the contact between the tungsten electrode comprises operating with an arc voltage at least 0.1 V greater than before the contact between the tungsten electrode and the weld puddle.