Welding quality control
Apparatus and methods for controlling weld conditions during welding include identifying a transition between a first mode of operation during which no spatter is produced and a second mode of operation during which some amount of spatter is produced. A power supply voltage is adjusted such that welding occurs under conditions associated with the transition. Identifying the transition includes identifying near zero voltage fluctuations in the power supply voltage.
1 . A method of welding comprising:
during welding, identifying a transition between a first mode of operation during which no spatter is produced, and a second mode of operation during which some amount of spatter is produced; and
adjusting a power supply voltage such that welding occurs under conditions associated with said transition;
wherein identifying said transition comprises identifying near zero voltage fluctuations in said power supply voltage.
2 . The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising automatically adjusting said power supply voltage.
3 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein adjusting said power supply voltage comprises continually adjusting said power supply voltage.
4 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein welding comprises a whole welding process under said conditions.
5 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
monitoring near zero power supply voltage signals during welding; and
determining when an onset of near zero voltage fluctuations occurs, said onset indicating a transition from said first to said second mode of operation.
6 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein welding comprises pulsed metal inert gas (MIG) welding.
7 . A method of welding comprising:
during a welding process, identifying near zero voltage fluctuations in a power supply voltage; and
responsive to the detection of said fluctuations adjusting said power supply voltage.
8 . The method as claimed in claim 7 further comprising automatically adjusting said power supply voltage.
9 . The method as claimed in claim 7 further comprising continually adjusting said power supply voltage.
10 . The method as claimed in claim 7 further comprising:
during welding adjusting said power supply voltage responsive to variations in weld set up conditions.
11 . The method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein welding comprises pulsed metal inert gas (MIG) welding.
12 . A welding apparatus for providing predetermined weld conditions during a welding process comprising:
a main electrode for forming molten metal and an arc between the electrode and a work target;
a power supply arranged to supply a power supply voltage to said electrode;
means for identifying a transition, during welding, between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation; and
means for adjusting the power supply voltage whereby welding occurs under conditions associated with said transition; wherein said means for identifying a transition comprises means for identifying near zero voltage fluctuations in the power supply.
13 . (canceled)
14 . (canceled)