Method and apparatus for coordinated control of welding-type output in welding-type operations

Abstract

A welding-type power supply (100) that cooperatively controls welding-type output during welding-type operations is disclosed. The example welding-type power supply (100) includes a power conversion circuit (110) configured to convert input power to welding-type power and output the welding-type power to a welding-type torch (106); a communication circuit (118) configured to receive control signals from a remote control device (104) during welding-type operations; and a control circuit (134) configured to cooperatively control at least two of a voltage of the welding-type power, a current of the welding-type power, or a wire feed speed output by the power conversion circuit (110).

Description

[0001] Cross-referencing related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 119,270, filed November 30, 2020, entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS TO SYNERGICALLY CONTROL A WELDING-TYPE OUTPUT DURING A WELDING-TYPE OPERATION” and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17 / 524,362, filed November 11, 2021, entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS TO SYNERGICALLY CONTROL A WELDING-TYPE OUTPUT DURING A WELDING-TYPE OPERATION”. The entire contents of U.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 63 / 119,270 and 17 / 524,362 are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to welding, and more specifically, to methods and apparatus for coordinating control of welding type output during welding type operation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A method and apparatus for collaboratively controlling the output of a welding type during welding type operation are disclosed, and are described substantially as shown in and in conjunction with at least one figure.

[0005] Instruction manual illustrations

[0006] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an example welding system configured to provide coordinated power control, based on various aspects of this disclosure, including a remote wire feeder.

[0007] Figure 2 According to various aspects of this disclosure, another example block diagram of a welding system is provided, which is configured to provide coordinated power control with a welding power supply having an integrally formed wire feeder.

[0008] Figure 3 According to various aspects of this disclosure, another example block diagram of a welding system includes a power control circuit configured to provide coordinated power control.

[0009] Figure 4 yes Figure 3A block diagram of an example implementation of a power control circuit.

[0010] Figure 5A It is an example table that includes the corresponding voltage, wire feed speed, and process mode, which can be used to determine the voltage setpoint, wire feed speed setpoint, and / or process mode for performing welding operations.

[0011] Figure 5B Here is another example table, which includes a schedule for performing welding operations and the corresponding welding parameters.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a flowchart representing example machine-readable instructions, which can be derived from... Figure 1 , 2 The welding system is executed in combination with / or three welding systems to coordinately control the welding system based on the inputs received during the welding operation.

[0013] Figure 7A and 7B A flowchart representing example machine-readable instructions is shown, which can be generated by... Figure 1 , 2 The welding system is executed by setting the hold value of the control signal and coordinating the control of the welding system based on the hold value.

[0014] Figure 8 It means that it can be generated by Figure 1 , 2 A flowchart of example machine-readable instructions executed by the welding system and / or 3, to coordinately control the welding system based on control signals and filter changes in control signals.

[0015] Figure 9 Showing Figure 1 , 2 An example mapping relationship between the input value range of the control signals and / or 3 and the voltage range and wire feed speed range based on the specified physical characteristics of the welding operation.

[0016] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating an example machine-readable instruction, which can be generated by... Figure 1 , 2 and / or Figure 3 The welding system is executed to coordinately control the welding system within a numerical range, where the range is determined based on the characteristics of the workpiece.

[0017] Figure 11 It shows Figure 1 , 2 Example mappings of multiple sub-ranges of the input signal range of the control signal and / or 3 to different power ranges, voltage ranges and / or wire feed speed ranges, for performing coordinated control of the welding system based on the input values ​​of the control signals.

[0018] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating an example machine-readable instruction, which can be generated by... Figure 1 , 2 and / or Figure 3 The welding system is executed to utilize multiple sub-ranges of the input signal range for coordinated control of the welding system.

[0019] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating an example machine-readable instruction, which can be generated by... Figure 1 , 2 and / or Figure 3 The welding system executes to control the welding system to execute the welding start sequence.

[0020] Figure 14 A flowchart illustrating an example machine-readable instruction, which can be generated by... Figure 1 , 2 and / or Figure 3 The welding system executes to control the welding system collaboratively control the welding start sequence.

[0021] These drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Where appropriate, similar or identical reference numerals may be used to denote similar or identical parts. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Gas metal arc welding (GMAW), also known as MIG welding, is traditionally performed by pre-selecting the wire feed speed and voltage before welding. For example, a conventional welding power supply can be controlled via a knob or button on the front panel. If the operator selects too low a power, the resulting weld may lack fusion, and the weld may fail. Conversely, if the operator selects too high a power, material burn-through may occur, creating a hole instead of a weld joint.

[0023] Some conventional welding machines, such as Millermatic® 211 Auto-Set™ MIG welders from Miller Electric Manufacturing, make the task of selecting welding parameters easier by allowing operators to choose both wire feed speed and voltage based on wire size and material thickness. Pre-selected welding parameters are effective when the workpiece has a uniform thickness and geometry, but in some cases, the workpiece may have varying thickness and / or geometry. For example, if the operator is welding a workpiece that tapers towards a narrower point, the metal's heat dissipation capacity is reduced, and using the same power setting across the entire distance can lead to burn-through and porosity.

[0024] The disclosed example methods and apparatus provide a welding-type power supply for GMAW processes that allows an operator to coordinate and adjust the output power during welding. An example method for operator coordination involves manipulating controls on the welding torch that are easily accessible to the operator during welding.

[0025] Traditional welding power supplies can provide recommended voltage and wire feed speed, allowing users to change the voltage and / or wire feed speed within a specified narrow range. The disclosed example provides a control device that allows the operator to adjust the output power of the GMAW welding power supply over a wide operating range. For example, a manually adjustable control device can be provided on the welding torch to coordinately regulate the power by simultaneously changing the output voltage and wire feed speed, thereby increasing or decreasing the output power to suit working conditions and the workpiece. In this example, the welding torch, along with the attached power supply and / or remote wire feeder, allows the operator to change the welding output power and / or wire feed speed using an easy-to-use method, such as a variable input (e.g., analog input) trigger, while welding.

[0026] Some example methods and apparatuses further automate the change of operating or deposition modes during welding, allowing the operator to change the process in a continuously variable manner, providing a very wide range of output power. For example, if the operator wants to switch from a first power operating or deposition mode (such as short-arc welding) to a higher power operating or deposition mode (such as pulse spray welding), for example, if the operator encounters an increase in the thickness of the workpiece being welded, the power control circuit can, according to a coordinated control scheme, slowly increase the output voltage and wire feed speed until the wire transitions from the short-arc state to the pulse spray welding state. In another example, the power control circuit can allow the operator to transition from a first power operating or deposition mode (such as short-arc welding) to a lower power operating or deposition mode (such as controlled metal deposition (RMD™)). The disclosed examples enable the operator to switch to other deposition modes, such as controlled short-circuit (CSC) processes, and / or arc-free “hot wire” deposition. The operator can switch between different deposition modes in real time during the welding operation to finely control wire deposition and / or the heat input to the weld.

[0027] Some publicly available example systems and methods provide trigger hold features that allow operators to set specific co-outputs. When the trigger hold is active, the operator can release the trigger (or foot pedal, etc.) while the power holds the co-output to continue soldering operations. In some examples, the trigger hold is active after a substantially constant output (e.g., less than a threshold deviation) has been maintained for a threshold time period. In some such examples, the trigger hold function times out and is disabled in response to the operator not using the trigger hold function within the threshold time period. For example, if the operator is unaware that the trigger hold function is available and ready to be active, or if the operator wishes to continue using the co-output without using the trigger hold feature, then the trigger hold feature will time out, and the release of the trigger is unlikely to result in unintentional continuation of soldering. Some publicly available example systems and methods output perceptible alarms to notify the operator that the trigger hold may be active (e.g., when the input device is released), such as visual alarms, audible alarms, tactile alarms, and / or any other type of perceptible feedback.

[0028] Because input devices (e.g., triggers, foot pedals, or other variable input devices) can be difficult for some operators to keep in a stable position, some disclosed systems and methods filter the input signals used to control the coordinated output. In some examples, the filter reduces the impact of short-term or transient changes in the output. Some example systems and methods filter the input signal by assigning weights and using multiple weighted samples of the input signal to determine the filtered input signal, which is then used to determine the coordinated output. Recent samples can be assigned lower weights, and the weight applied to a given sample increases as the sample age increases. The number of recent samples can be limited to allow the operator to responsively change the coordinated output during the soldering process.

[0029] In some disclosed example systems and methods, the range of input signal values ​​(e.g., from triggers, foot pedals, or other variable input devices) is mapped to the entire output power range achievable by the welding system. In other disclosed example systems and methods, the range of input signal values ​​is mapped to sub-ranges of the co-output, and / or sub-ranges of variables involved in generating the co-output (e.g., voltage and wire feed speed). In some examples, the sub-ranges of the co-output are determined based on one or more physical characteristics of the welding operation, such as workpiece thickness, workpiece material, wire diameter, wire material, and / or shielding gas composition. Alternatively or additionally, sub-ranges of the input signal range are mapped to different sub-ranges of the co-output, wherein the sub-ranges of the input signal range are not of equal width, and / or the sub-ranges of the co-output are not of equal width.

[0030] Some publicly available example systems and methods involve coordinating the values ​​of multiple welding parameters based on the values ​​of control signals, for example, by looking up these parameters in a lookup table. In other examples, primary or key parameters (e.g., voltage, current, power, etc.) may be associated with control signals, and one or more secondary parameters (e.g., wire feed speed, pulse trimming, etc.) may be adjusted based on changes in the primary parameter.

[0031] Alternatively, instead of modifying parameters based on control signals or primary parameters, one or more parameters can be controlled via control signals while other operating parameters remain constant. Maintaining parameter constancy allows the operator, for example, to change specific parameters of interest according to welding conditions, without requiring the welding system to make multiple adjustments in response to the modified parameters.

[0032] As used herein, the term "welding power" refers to power suitable for welding, plasma cutting, induction heating, CAC-A, and / or hot wire welding / preheating (including laser welding and laser cladding). As used herein, the term "welding power supply" refers to any device, when applied in this context, capable of providing power for welding, plasma cutting, induction heating, CAC-A, and / or hot wire welding / preheating (including laser welding and laser cladding), including but not limited to inverters, converters, resonant power supplies, quasi-resonant power supplies, and their associated control circuitry and other auxiliary circuitry.

[0033] As used herein, a welding power supply refers to any device capable of supplying power for welding, cladding, plasma cutting, induction heating, laser processing (including laser welding, laser hybrid operations and laser cladding), carbon arc cutting or planing and / or resistance preheating when power is applied to it, including but not limited to transformer-rectifiers, inverters, converters, resonant power supplies, quasi-resonant power supplies, switch-mode power supplies, and related control circuits and other auxiliary circuits.

[0034] As used in this article, “welding voltage setpoint” refers to the voltage input to the power converter via a user interface, network communication, welding procedure specifications, or other selection methods.

[0035] As used herein, “circuit” includes any analog and / or digital components, power supply and / or control elements, such as microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), software, discrete and / or integrated components, or parts and / or combinations thereof.

[0036] As used herein, "cooperative control" refers to controlling two or more variables or components according to a specific relationship. In some examples, a primary variable is controlled via an input device, and one or more variables are cooperatively controlled based on the primary variable. As used herein, "cooperative output" refers to welding power, where two or more variables related to generating welding power are controlled according to a specific relationship.

[0037] As used herein, the term "remote wire feeder" refers to a wire feeder that is not integrated with the power supply into a single housing.

[0038] Now turn to the attached diagram. Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an example welding system 100 having a welding power supply 102, a wire feeder 104, and a welding torch 106. The welding system 100 provides power, control, and supply of consumables for welding applications. In this example, the welding torch 106 is configured for gas metal arc welding (GMAW). In the illustrated example, the power supply 102 is configured to supply power to the wire feeder 104, which can be configured to deliver input power to the welding torch 106. In addition to providing input power, the wire feeder 104 also supplies filler metal to the welding torch 106 for various welding applications such as GMAW and flux-cored arc welding (FCAW).

[0039] Power supply 102 receives main power 108 (e.g., from AC grid, engine / generator set, battery, or other energy generation or storage device, or a combination thereof), regulates the main power, and provides output power to one or more welding devices as needed by system 100. Main power 108 can be supplied from an off-site location (e.g., main power can come from the grid). Power supply 102 includes power conversion circuitry 110, which may include transformers, rectifiers, switches, etc., capable of converting AC input power to AC and / or DC output power according to the requirements of system 100 (e.g., specific welding processes and methods). Power conversion circuitry 110 converts the input power (e.g., main power 108) into welding-type power based on a welding voltage setpoint and outputs welding-type power through welding circuitry.

[0040] In some examples, power conversion circuit 110 is configured to convert primary power 108 into both welding-type power and auxiliary power output. However, in other examples, power conversion circuit 110 is adapted to convert only primary power into welding-type power output and to provide a separate auxiliary converter to convert primary power into auxiliary power. In still other examples, power supply 102 receives the converted auxiliary power output directly from a wall outlet. Power supply 102 can employ any suitable power conversion system or mechanism to generate and supply welding and auxiliary power.

[0041] Power supply 102 includes control circuitry 112 to control its operation. Power supply 102 also includes a user interface 114. Control circuitry 112 receives input from user interface 114, through which the user can select processes and / or input desired parameters (e.g., voltage, current, specific pulsed or non-pulsed welding methods, etc.). User interface 114 can receive input using any input device, such as a keypad, keyboard, buttons, touchscreen, voice activation system, wireless device, etc. Furthermore, control circuitry 112 controls operating parameters based on user input and other current operating parameters. Specifically, user interface 114 may include a display screen 116 for presenting, displaying, or indicating information to the operator. Control circuitry 112 may also include interface circuitry for data communication with other devices in system 100, such as wire feeder 104. For example, in some cases, power supply 102 wirelessly communicates with wire feeder 104 and / or other welding devices within welding system 100. In addition, in some cases, the power supply 102 communicates with the wire feeder 104 and / or other welding equipment via a wired connection, for example, by using a network interface controller (NIC) to communicate data over a network (e.g., Ethernet, 10BASE2, 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, etc.).

[0042] Control circuitry 112 includes at least one processor 120 that controls the operation of power supply 102. Control circuitry 112 receives and processes multiple inputs related to the performance and requirements of system 100. Processor 120 may include one or more microprocessors, such as one or more "general purpose" microprocessors, one or more special purpose microprocessors and / or ASICs, and / or any other type of processing device and / or logic circuitry. For example, processor 120 may include one or more digital signal processors (DSPs).

[0043] Example control circuit 112 includes one or more storage devices 123 and one or more storage devices 124. Storage device 123 (e.g., non-volatile memory) may include ROM, flash memory, hard disk, and / or any other suitable optical, magnetic, and / or solid-state storage media, and / or combinations thereof. Storage device 123 stores data (e.g., data corresponding to welding applications), instructions (e.g., software or firmware that executes the welding process), and / or any other suitable data. Examples of stored data for welding applications include torch posture (e.g., orientation), distance between the contact tip and the workpiece, voltage, current, welding apparatus settings, etc.

[0044] Storage device 124 may include volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and / or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM). Storage device 124 and / or storage device 123 may store various information and may be used for various purposes. For example, storage device 124 and / or storage device 123 may store processor-executable instructions 125 (e.g., firmware or software) for execution by processor 120. In addition, one or more control methods for various welding processes, along with associated settings and parameters, together with codes configured to provide specific outputs during operation (e.g., initiating wire feeding, allowing gas flow, capturing welding current data, detecting short-circuit parameters, determining spatter amount), may be stored in storage device 123 and / or storage device 124.

[0045] In some examples, welding power flows from power conversion circuit 110 through welding cable 126 to wire feeder 104 and welding torch 106. The welding cable 126 in the example can be attached to and detached from the welding post on each of power supply 102 and wire feeder 104 (e.g., to make welding cable 126 easy to replace in case of wear or damage).

[0046] Example communication transceiver 118 includes receiver circuitry 121 and transmitter circuitry 122. Generally, receiver circuitry 121 receives data transmitted by wire feeder 104, and transmitter circuitry 122 transmits data to wire feeder 104. Example wire feeder 104 also includes communication transceiver 119, which may be similar to or the same as communication transceiver 118 in structure and / or function.

[0047] In some examples, gas supplier 128 provides a shielding gas, such as argon, helium, carbon dioxide, etc., depending on the welding application. The shielding gas flows to valve 130, which controls the gas flow and, if necessary, allows for regulation or adjustment of the amount of gas supplied to the welding application. Valve 130 can be opened, closed, or otherwise operated by control circuitry 112 to enable, inhibit, or control the flow of gas (e.g., shielding gas) through valve 130. The shielding gas exits valve 130 and flows via cable 132 (which may be delivered along with the welding power output in some embodiments) to wire feeder 104, which supplies the shielding gas to the welding application. In some examples, welding system 100 does not include gas supplier 128, valve 130, or cable 132. In other examples, valve 130 is located in wire feeder 104, and gas supplier 128 is connected to wire feeder 104.

[0048] In some examples, wire feeder 104 uses welding power to power various components within wire feeder 104, such as wire feeder control circuitry 134. As described above, welding cable 126 can be configured to provide or supply welding power. Wire feeder control circuitry 134 controls the operation of wire feeder 104. In some examples, wire feeder 104 uses wire feeder control circuitry 134 to detect whether wire feeder 104 is communicating with power supply 102, and if wire feeder 104 is communicating with power supply 102, to detect the current welding process of power supply 102.

[0049] Contactor 135 (e.g., a high-current relay) is controlled by wire feeder control circuitry 134 and configured to allow or suppress the continued flow of welding power to welding cable 126 for the welding application. In some examples, contactor 135 is an electromechanical device. However, contactor 135 can be any other suitable device, such as a solid-state device, and / or can be omitted entirely, with welding cable 126 directly connected to the output of welding torch 106. Wire feeder 104 includes wire drive 136, which receives a control signal from wire feeder control circuitry 134 to drive roller 138 to rotate, pulling the welding wire from wire reel 140. Wire drive 136 feeds the electrode wire into welding torch 106. The welding wire is supplied to the welding application via torch cable 142. Similarly, wire feeder 104 can supply shielding gas from cable 132 via cable 142. The electrode wire, shielding gas, and power from the welding cable 126 are combined in a single welding torch cable 144 and / or supplied separately to the welding torch 106.

[0050] Welding torch 106 delivers welding wire, welding power, and / or shielding gas for welding applications. Welding torch 106 is used to establish a welding arc between welding torch 106 and workpiece 146. Working cable 148 connects workpiece 146 to power supply 102 (e.g., to power conversion circuit 110), providing a return path for welding current (e.g., as part of the welding circuit). Example working cable 148 may be attached to and / or detached from power supply 102 for replacement of working cable 148. Working cable 148 may be terminated with clip 150 (or another power connection device) that connects power supply 102 to workpiece 146.

[0051] A communication cable 154 connects the power supply 102 and the wire feeder 104, enabling bidirectional communication between transceivers 118 and 119. The transceivers 118 and 119 can communicate via the communication cable 154, via the welding circuit, via wireless communication, and / or any other communication medium. An example of such communication includes measuring the welding cable voltage at a device (e.g., the wire feeder 104) located away from the power supply 102.

[0052] Example welding torch 106 includes a power selector circuit 156 to allow the user of the torch (e.g., a welder) to adjust the welding output from the torch in a coordinated manner. For example, when the user adjusts via the power selector circuit 156, the power supply 102 and the wire feeder 104 coordinately change the welding output voltage and wire feed speed. An example implementation of the power selector circuit 156 is a pressure-sensitive trigger. For example, the welding torch 106 may include the same trigger used in conventional welding torches, modified to provide an analog signal or an encoded digital signal to represent the amount of input to the trigger. In some examples, the operator may progressively depress the trigger (e.g., apply more pressure) to collaboratively increase the voltage and wire feed speed, and / or progressively release the trigger (e.g., apply less pressure) to collaboratively decrease the voltage and wire feed speed. Alternative implementations of the power selector circuit 156 include a wheel or slider configured to control a potentiometer and positioned to allow the operator to adjust the input while welding (while simultaneously pressing the trigger). In some examples, the potentiometer includes a mechanical switch configured to provide feedback indicating a lower limit for actuation of the analog input device that initiates the welding process. Another embodiment of the power selector circuit 156 is a sensor-based control device disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 777,185, filed January 30, 2020, entitled “Inductive Position Sensor with Switch Function”. The entire contents of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 777,185 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0053] Power selector circuit 156 outputs control signal 158 to power control circuit 160 of wire feeder 104. Control signal 158 can be an analog or digital signal representing the output from power selector circuit 156. Example power control circuit 160 can be implemented using control circuit 134 and / or as a separate circuit. Power control circuit 160 identifies user input (e.g., input from power selector circuit 156) during welding-type operation involving welding-type power. Power control circuit 160, based on user input, determines voltage and wire feed speed adjustments for welding-type power. For example, power control circuit 160 can refer to a co-control scheme, such as an algorithm or lookup table, to determine the voltage setpoint and / or wire feed speed setpoint corresponding to the user input. The lookup table can be stored, for example, in storage device 123 and / or memory 124 of control circuit 134.

[0054] Example power control circuit 160 generates one or more control signals to control welding power supply 102 to perform voltage regulation and to control wire feeder 104 to perform wire feed speed regulation. For example, power control circuit 160 may provide wire feed speed commands to control circuit 134 to control the wire feed speed of wire drive 136, and / or transmit control signals to power supply 102 via transceiver 119 and communication cable 154 to control the output voltage of power supply 102.

[0055] In some examples, coordinated control of voltage and wire feed speed causes power control circuit 160 to change the deposition mode in response to user input via power selector circuit 156. For example, GMAW deposition modes, such as arc-free hot filament mode, adjustable metal deposition mode, controlled short-circuit mode, short-arc mode, pulse jet mode, or jet transfer mode, typically correspond to different voltage ranges (with some overlap between certain modes).

[0056] In some examples, control circuitry 112 implements a trigger hold feature that allows the operator to set a specific cooperative output. When trigger hold is active, the operator can release power selector circuitry 156 (e.g., causing the normalized value of the control signal to drop below a threshold associated with the output welding power), and control circuitry 112 continues to use the hold value of control signal 158 to maintain the cooperative output. In some examples, trigger hold is activated after a substantially constant output (e.g., less than a threshold deviation) has persisted for a threshold time period. Alternatively or additionally, welding torch 106, wire feeder 104, and / or any other device may include an input device (e.g., a button, switch, etc.) that provides control signal hold commands to control circuitry 112. When trigger hold is used, for example, when the operator releases power selector circuitry 156, control circuitry 112 determines the appropriate cooperative output and controls power conversion circuitry 110 and wire feeder 104 based on the determined hold value associated with the control signal hold command. For example, the hold value can be determined using the value of the control signal hold command when the operator holds the power selector circuit 156 for a threshold time to generate the control signal hold command, and / or the value of the control signal 158 when the control signal hold command is generated.

[0057] In response to the operator not using the trigger hold function within a threshold time period, control circuit 112 can cause the trigger hold feature to time out and disable the trigger hold function. For example, if the operator is unaware that the trigger hold function is available or ready to be activated, the operator may not intend to continue the welding operation in response to the release of the trigger of welding torch 106. In other cases, the operator may not want to use the trigger hold and would prefer to continue using (e.g., changing) the cooperative output during the welding operation.

[0058] In some examples, control circuitry 112 responds to a control signal hold command by outputting a perceptible alarm to notify the operator that trigger hold can take effect (e.g., when power selector circuitry 156 is released). Example alarms may include visual alarms, auditory alarms, tactile alarms, and / or any other type of perceptible feedback. Example trigger hold feedback may include, for example, auditory signals (e.g., beeps, tones, auditory messages, and / or any other auditory feedback via speakers in power supply 102, wire feeder 104, welding torch 106, operator's helmet, and / or any other speakers), visual signals (e.g., light, LEDs, displays, and / or any other visual feedback via power supply 102, wire feeder 104, welding torch 106, operator's helmet, and / or any other visual device), tactile feedback (e.g., tactile or other tactile feedback at welding torch 106 or other locations perceptible to the operator), and / or any other form of feedback. If the operator selects to use the trigger hold function (e.g., by releasing the trigger or other variable input device), the trigger hold feedback signal communicates to the operator that the trigger hold function is active at the current cooperative output level. In some examples, the welding torch 106 includes a vibration motor to generate tactile feedback to the operator, and the control circuitry is configured to output a tactile feedback signal in response to a control signal hold command to control the vibration motor, eccentric rotary mass actuator, piezoelectric actuator, and / or any other tactile generator.

[0059] Example control circuitry 112 can also filter control signal 158 to avoid unintended variations in the coordinated output caused by the difficulty in maintaining power selector circuitry 156 in a stable position. For example, control circuitry 112 can filter control signal 158 to reduce the impact of short-term or transient variations in the coordinated output. Exemplary filtering techniques may involve using a set of recent samples of control signal 158 to determine the coordinated output and weighting the samples of control signal 158 according to the age of the samples. Thus, older samples are given higher weights than newer samples when determining the coordinated output. In some such examples, the weights may have a rapid increase after a threshold age of the samples, such that samples measured before a threshold time have very low weights, while samples measured before a threshold time have significantly increased weights.

[0060] Another example technique used involves determining the value of the filter subrange of the control signal 158 based on its value at a given time. While the value of the control signal 158 remains within the filter subrange at subsequent times, the control circuit 112 cooperatively controls the voltage and wire feed speed of the welding power based on the value of the control signal 158 used to determine the filter subrange.

[0061] In some examples, control circuitry 112 maps a range or subrange of values ​​for control signal 158 to the entire range of output power achievable by welding system 100. In other examples, the range of values ​​for control signal 158 is mapped to subranges of the co-output and / or subranges of variables involved in generating the co-output (e.g., voltage and wire feed speed). For example, control circuitry 112 can determine recommended and / or permissible ranges of the co-output based on the physical characteristics of the welding operation, which can be input via user interface 114, and map these recommended and / or permissible ranges of the co-output to the range of values ​​for the control signal, such that the co-output does not exceed the mapped subranges of the co-output. Example physical characteristics that can be used to determine the subranges of the co-output may include workpiece thickness, workpiece material, wire composition, wire diameter, and / or shielding gas composition. By mapping the range of values ​​for control signal 158 to subranges determined to be recommended or permissible for the physical characteristics of the welding operation, operators are prevented from using co-outputs that are not recommended for specific physical characteristics of the welding, thereby improving weld quality and reducing errors and / or rework.

[0062] Alternatively or concurrently, control circuitry 112 may map sub-ranges of control signal 158 to different sub-ranges of the cooperative output, wherein the sub-ranges of control signal 158 are of unequal width and / or the sub-ranges of the cooperative output are of unequal width. In this way, control circuitry 112 may allow the operator to have a greater degree of control over the cooperative output in one part of the range of interest of power selection circuitry 156 (e.g., a portion of the travel range of a trigger or foot pedal) than in another part.

[0063] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of another example welding system 200, configured to provide coordinated power control with a welding power supply 202 having an integrally formed wire feeder 204. The example welding power supply 202 includes... Figure 1 Example power supply 102 includes power conversion circuit 110, control circuit 112, user interface 114, display 116, processor 120, storage device 123, memory 124, instruction set 125, and valve 130.

[0064] Compared to example system 100, in Figure 2 In the example, the power supply 202 includes an integrally formed wire feeder 204, rather than being connected to a remote wire feeder. Figure 2 The power supply 202 outputs welding power and electrode wire to the welding torch 106, which includes an example power selector circuit 156.

[0065] The integrally formed wire feeder 204 includes a welding wire drive device 136, a drive roller 138 and a welding wire reel 140, and feeds the welding wire to the welding torch 106 via the welding torch cable 142.

[0066] Example welding power supply 202 includes communication circuitry 206 to receive control signals 158 from power selector circuitry 156 (e.g., during welding operations). In some examples, communication circuitry 206 converts analog signals into digital signals for use by control circuitry 112 and / or receives digital signals from power selector circuitry 156. Example control circuitry 112 coordinately controls the voltage of the welding power supply (e.g., by controlling power conversion circuitry 110) and the wire feed speed (e.g., by controlling wire drive 136) according to control signals 158. In this way, example control circuitry 112 can operate in a manner similar to... Figure 1 The power control circuit operates in mode 160.

[0067] The control circuit 112 can consult a coordinated control scheme, such as an algorithm or a lookup table, to determine the voltage setpoint and / or wire feed speed setpoint corresponding to the user input. The lookup table can be stored, for example, in the storage device 123 and / or memory 124 of the control circuit 112.

[0068] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of another example welding type system 300, including a welding torch 106 with power control circuitry 160 configured to provide cooperative power control. The exemplary power control circuitry 160 in the welding torch 106 can be similar to that referenced above. Figure 1 The power control circuit 160 described is implemented in this way.

[0069] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 and Figure 3 A block diagram of an example implementation of the power control circuit 160. Figure 4 The power control circuit 160 can be used in, for example, welding torch 106, remote wire feeder 104, foot pedal, power supply 102 and / or Figure 1-3 Implemented in any other component of the system 100, 200, 300.

[0070] Figure 4 The example power control circuit 160 includes an input circuit 402, a control circuit 404, and an output circuit 406. The input circuit 402 identifies user input during welding operations involving welding power. For example, when the operator controls the power selector circuit 156 during welding to coordinately adjust the welding output, the input circuit 402 may receive a control signal 158 from the power selector circuit 156.

[0071] Control circuit 404 determines voltage and wire feed speed adjustments for welding power based on user input (e.g., based on control signal 158). For example, control circuit 404 can determine voltage and wire feed speed adjustments by interpreting the user input according to a coordinated control scheme related to the voltage of the welding power and the wire feed speed output by welding torch 106. Figure 4 In the example, the control circuit 404 can look up the voltage adjustment and wire feed speed adjustment in the lookup table according to the control signal 158.

[0072] In some examples, control circuitry 404 identifies or determines, in response to user input, that a deposition mode needs to be changed (e.g., from a first deposition mode to a second deposition mode). For example, as a coordinated control scheme causes a voltage increase or decrease, a threshold may be exceeded, causing control circuitry 404 to determine (e.g., based on voltage adjustment, wire feed speed adjustment, lookup table 408, and / or any other coordinated control factors) that the output power is more appropriately suited to the different deposition or transfer modes. Example deposition modes that can be selected by control circuitry 404 include arc-free hot filament mode, adjustable metal deposition mode, controlled short-circuit mode, short-arc mode, pulsed sputtering mode, or sputtering transfer mode. In some examples, control circuitry 404 may apply a hysteresis to the threshold so that control circuitry 404 does not repeatedly switch between deposition modes having similar or overlapping voltage and / or wire feed speed ranges.

[0073] Output circuit 406 generates one or more control signals 410 to control power supply 102, which provides welding power (e.g., to welding torch 106), to perform voltage regulation, and / or to control wire feeder 104 to perform wire feed speed regulation. In some examples, one or more control signals 410 are transmitted to different devices (e.g., power supply 102 and remote wire feeder 104). In other examples, one or more control signals 410 are transmitted to a single device (e.g., from power supply 102 to remote wire feeder 104, from remote wire feeder 104 to power supply 102, from welding torch 106 to power supply 202 including integrated wire feeder 204, etc.).

[0074] Figure 5A Example Table 500, including corresponding voltages, wire feed speeds, and process modes, can be used to determine the voltage setpoint, wire feed speed setpoint, and / or process mode for performing welding operations. This example table 500 can be used to implement... Figure 4 Lookup table 408. Although Figure 5AThe example table 500 is shown, but lookup table 408 can include multiple tables corresponding to different welding conditions (e.g., different workpiece materials, different wire types, different gas types, etc.). The collaborative control scheme represented in lookup table 408 enables the operator to adjust the welding output to respond to changes in welding conditions, such as changes in workpiece thickness and / or weld orientation.

[0075] Figure 5A Example lookup table 500 associates different input values ​​(e.g., values ​​represented by control signal 158) with corresponding voltages (e.g., arc voltage setpoint), wire feed speeds, and / or deposition modes. For example, when an operator increases and / or decreases the value of control signal 158 during a welding operation (e.g., by gradually depressing and / or releasing a trigger, by increasing and / or decreasing a control device operatively connected to a potentiometer, etc.),... Figure 4 The control circuit 404 can look up incremental and / or decrementing input values ​​in Table 500 to determine the corresponding output voltage, wire feed speed, and / or deposition mode. In some examples, the corresponding voltage, wire feed speed, and / or deposition mode are determined empirically and entered into Table 500 before the soldering operation (e.g., during manufacturing, downloading firmware updates, downloading software packages, etc.).

[0076] Figure 5B This is another example table, 502, which includes a schedule for performing welding operations and the corresponding welding parameters. Example table 502 can be used as a replacement for or supplement to table 500. Figure 4 Lookup table 408. In example table 502, different ranges of input values ​​correspond to different schedules, and each schedule can be assigned different variables. When control circuit 112 receives control signal 158, control circuit 112 looks up the schedule corresponding to the value of control signal 158 as an input value, and controls power conversion circuit 110 according to the schedule-related parameters specified in table 502. Schedule-related parameters and / or input values ​​can be set by the operator. Using example table 502, the operator can switch between pre-configured schedules during welding operations by controlling control signal 158 (e.g., based on the pressure of a trigger, foot pedal, or other variable input device) via power selector circuit 156.

[0077] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating exemplary machine-readable instructions 600, which can be executed to implement one or more disclosed example methods and / or devices. Example instructions 600 may be derived from... Figure 1-4 Example control circuit 112, example control circuit 134, and / or example power control circuit 160 are executed to collaboratively control the welding-type output during welding-type operation. (Refer to...) Figure 2The example welded power supply 202 describes example instruction 600, but the instruction can be modified to be... Figure 1 , 3 The power control circuit 160 of 4 and / or 4 is executed.

[0078] At block 602, example control circuit 112 determines whether a welding operation is being performed. If no welding operation is being performed (block 602), control circuit 404 repeats block 602 until welding occurs. When control circuit 112 determines that welding has occurred (block 602), at block 604, power conversion circuit 110 converts the input power into welding-type power and outputs the welding-type power to welding torch 106.

[0079] In block 606, communication circuit 206 determines whether a control signal (e.g., control signal 158) has been received from a remote control device (e.g., from power selector circuit 156). If control signal 158 has been received from the remote control device (block 606), in block 608, control circuit 112 determines the cooperative voltage and wire feed speed based on control signal 158.

[0080] At block 610, control circuit 112 (e.g., based on a coordinated control scheme for determining the coordinated voltage and wire feed speed) determines whether a change in deposition mode is required. If a change in deposition mode is required (block 610), at block 612, control circuit 112 determines the deposition mode to be used based on control signals, voltage, and / or wire feed speed.

[0081] After determining the deposition mode (box 612), if the deposition mode has not changed (box 610), or if no control signal has been received (box 606), at box 614, the control circuit 112 controls the power conversion circuit 110 to output a determined voltage (e.g., by direct control and / or by transceiver circuits).

[0082] At block 616, control circuit 112 (e.g., via direct control and / or via transceiver circuitry) controls the wire feeder (e.g., integrated wire feeder 204, remote wire feeder 104) to feed wire at a determined wire feed rate.

[0083] After controlling the power conversion circuit 110 and / or the wire feeders 104, 204, control returns to block 602.

[0084] Figure 7A and 7B A flowchart representing an example machine-readable instruction 700 is shown, which can be generated by... Figure 1 , 2The welding systems 100, 200, and 300, and / or 3, perform actions to set a hold value for a control signal (e.g., a signal received from the power selector circuit 156) and coordinately control the welding systems 100, 200, and 300 based on this hold value. The following will refer to... Figure 1 The system 100 is used to describe example instruction 700, and this instruction begins when no welding operation has occurred.

[0085] Example instruction 700 can be executed, for example, to enable a welding operator to set desired co-output values ​​(e.g., co-controlled power output, and / or co-controlled voltage and wire feed speed), and then continue outputting the co-output values ​​while freeing the operator from maintaining precise control signal values ​​(e.g., a constant torch trigger position). Therefore, example instruction 700 can reduce operator fatigue.

[0086] In block 702, control circuitry 112 (e.g., via processor 120) determines whether a welding operation is being performed. For example, control circuitry 112 may determine whether at least one threshold of a control signal has been received from the trigger of welding torch 106 (e.g., power selector circuitry 156), foot pedal, and / or other control inputs. If no welding operation is being performed (block 702), control returns to block 702 to await a welding operation.

[0087] If a welding operation is in progress (box 702), in box 704, control circuitry 112 resets and starts a hold timeout timer. The hold timeout timer can be used to disable a hold value. For example, the operator may not be aware that the system can provide a "trigger hold" function and / or the operator may not wish to use a hold value in a particular welding operation. When the hold timeout timer expires, example control circuitry 112 can disable the hold value and use the input value of the control signal for the remainder of the welding operation.

[0088] In block 706, control circuitry 112 resets the trigger hold range and the trigger hold timer. The trigger hold range is the range of values ​​for the control signal. When the value of the control signal remains within the trigger hold range, control circuitry 112 runs the trigger hold timer to determine whether a hold value is set. The trigger hold range can be set and / or updated to a certain range around the received value of the control signal so that control circuitry 112 can detect whether the operator is holding the input device at a substantially constant level, in which case trigger hold may be useful to the operator. A larger trigger hold range may make it easier for the operator to set the trigger hold range, but the operator will have to move the input device more to change the output value. Conversely, a smaller trigger hold range may require the operator to perform trigger hold more precisely on the input device, but will allow the operator to have tighter control over the level at which the trigger hold is set.

[0089] When the trigger hold timer expires, control circuit 112 sets a hold value for the control signal and uses that hold value instead of the input value received from power selector circuit 156. However, as mentioned above, if the received value of the control signal remains above a threshold or within a certain range during the duration of the hold timeout timer, trigger hold can be disabled.

[0090] At block 708, control circuitry 112 determines the value of a control signal (e.g., control signal 158) received from a remote control device (e.g., from power selector circuitry 156). For example, control circuitry 112 may determine a control signal value proportional to the extent to which an operator presses the trigger of welding torch 106, presses the foot pedal, or otherwise controls the input value within a certain range. An example range of control signal values ​​can be represented as a normalized range, for example, from 0 to 100%, where 0 is the degree to which the trigger is fully released and 100% is the degree to which the trigger is fully depressed. The range of control signal values ​​may be based on the type of analog or digital input device used to generate the control signal.

[0091] In block 710, control circuitry 112 determines whether the value of the control signal is within the trigger hold range. For example, control circuitry 112 may monitor whether the operator holds the input device (e.g., a trigger) at a substantially constant value. If the value of the control signal is not within the trigger hold range (block 710), in block 712, control circuitry 112 sets the trigger hold range based on the received control signal value and resets the trigger hold timer. For example, if the operator changes the value of the control signal, control circuitry 112 sets a new trigger hold range based on the updated value of the control signal, enabling control circuitry 112 to determine whether the operator holds the input device at the changed signal value.

[0092] On the other hand, if the value of the control signal is within the trigger hold range (block 710), in block 714, the control circuit 112 determines whether the trigger hold timer has expired or whether another control signal hold command has been received. Examples of other control signal hold commands may include a designated input device that enables an operator to operate the trigger hold function, such as a button or switch on the welding torch 106. Alternatively or additionally, the example control circuit 112 may generate a control signal hold command in response to the expiration of the trigger hold timer.

[0093] If the trigger hold timer has not expired and no other control signal hold command has been received (block 714), or after setting the trigger hold range based on the received value of the control signal (block 712), in block 716, control circuit 112 determines the cooperative voltage and wire feed speed based on the received value of the control signal. For example, control circuit 112 may determine the power level corresponding to the received value of the control signal and calculate or look up (e.g., in a lookup table) the voltage and wire feed speed parameters corresponding to that power level.

[0094] In block 718, control circuit 112 controls power conversion circuit 110 to convert input power into welding power and output the welding power to welding torch 106 based on a determined voltage and wire feed speed. For example, control circuit 112 can control power conversion circuit 110 based on a determined voltage and wire feed speed based on a determined wire feed speed. After converting input power into welding power and outputting welding power (block 718), control returns to block 708 to determine an updated value for the control signal. When the operator changes the value of the control signal (e.g., by adjusting the amount a trigger is pressed or other input device is adjusted), control circuit 112 adjusts the coordinating voltage and wire feed speed as the value of the control signal is adjusted.

[0095] Turning Figure 7B In response to the expiration of the trigger hold timer or other control signal hold commands (e.g., an operator holding the input device in a substantially constant position, receiving a control signal hold command input from the input device, etc.) (box 714), in box 720, control circuit 112 generates a control signal hold command, determines the hold value of the control signal, and outputs a trigger hold feedback signal. For example, control circuit 112 may use the same value of the control signal used to determine the hold range of the trigger as the hold value.

[0096] Example trigger hold feedback signals can be, for example, auditory signals (e.g., beeps, tones, auditory messages, and / or any other auditory feedback from speakers in the power supply 102, wire feeder 104, welding torch 106, the operator's helmet, and / or any other speakers), visual signals (e.g., lights, LEDs, displays, and / or any other visual feedback and / or any other visual device from the power supply 102, wire feeder 104, welding torch 106, the operator's helmet, and / or any other visual feedback), tactile feedback (e.g., tactile or other tactile feedback at the welding torch 106 or other locations perceptible to the operator), and / or any other form of feedback. If the operator selects to use the trigger hold function (e.g., by releasing the trigger or other variable input device), the trigger hold feedback signal informs the operator that the trigger hold function is in use at the current cooperative output level.

[0097] In block 722, control circuitry 112 determines whether a hold timeout timer has expired. For example, if the hold timeout timer has expired, the operator has continued to press the trigger for a period of time after control circuitry 112 determines that the trigger hold timer has expired. For example, if the trigger hold timer is set for 5 seconds and the hold timeout timer is set for 10 seconds, if the operator holds the input device for 10 seconds (and / or 5 seconds after the trigger hold timer expires), control circuitry 112 disables or removes the hold value and performs coordinated control based on the value of the received control signal. In some examples, the hold timeout can be configured to disable trigger hold if the operator holds the trigger value for at least a certain amount of time without trigger hold criterion occurring.

[0098] If the hold timeout timer has expired (box 722), in box 724, control circuit 112 stops the trigger hold timer. As a result, control circuit 112 effectively disables trigger hold for the remaining time of the soldering operation.

[0099] If the hold timeout timer has not yet expired (box 722), in box 726, control circuit 112 determines whether the value of the hold signal is at least a threshold. For example, control circuit 112 may monitor to determine whether the operator has released the input device such that the operator is using the trigger hold value for coordinated control.

[0100] After stopping the trigger hold timer (e.g., trigger hold is disabled) (box 724), or if the value of the control signal is at least a threshold (e.g., the operator is continuing to hold the trigger) (box 726), in box 728, control circuit 112 determines the value of the control signal received from the remote control device (e.g., power selector circuit 156). Box 728 may be similar to or the same as box 708 described above.

[0101] In block 730, control circuit 112 determines the cooperative voltage and wire feed speed based on the value of the control signal. Block 730 may be similar to or the same as block 716 described above.

[0102] If the value of the control signal is less than a threshold (e.g., the operator has accepted the trigger hold and released the trigger) (box 726), in box 732, control circuit 112 determines the cooperative voltage and wire feed speed based on the hold value. Therefore, when the received value of the control signal is less than the threshold, control circuit 112 can ignore the received value.

[0103] After determining the coordinating voltage and wire feed speed based on the holding value (box 732) or the value of the control signal (box 730), in box 734, the control circuit 112 converts the input power into welding power based on the determined coordinating voltage and wire feed speed and outputs the welding power to the welding torch 106. Box 734 may be similar to or the same as box 718 described above.

[0104] In block 736, control circuitry 112 determines whether the welding operation is still being performed. For example, if the input signal remains below a threshold, control circuitry 112 can determine that the welding operation is still being performed, or if the value of the control signal has increased above the threshold, it can determine that the welding operation is no longer being performed (e.g., the operator has re-activated the input device and then released it to stop the welding operation). If the welding operation is still being performed (block 736), control returns to block 726.

[0105] The example instruction ends when the welding operation is no longer performed (box 736).

[0106] Figure 8 This is a flowchart representing example machine-readable instruction 800, which can be derived from... Figure 1 , 2 The welding systems 100, 200, and 300 (or 3 in total) execute to coordinately control the welding systems 100, 200, and 300 based on control signals and filter changes in the control signals. The following will refer to... Figure 1 The system 100 is used to describe example instruction 800, and the instruction begins when the welding operation has not yet occurred. Instruction 800 can be used with... Figure 7A and 7B The instructions 700 are combined for implementation.

[0107] In block 802, control circuitry 112 determines whether a welding operation is being performed. For example, control circuitry 112 may determine whether at least one threshold of a control signal has been received from the trigger of welding torch 106 (e.g., power selector circuitry 156), foot pedal, and / or other control inputs. If no welding operation is being performed (block 802), control returns to block 802 to await a welding operation.

[0108] If a welding operation is being performed (box 802), in box 804, control circuit 112 determines the value of a control signal (e.g., control signal 158) received from a remote control device (e.g., power selector circuit 156 of welding torch 106).

[0109] In block 806, control circuit 112 filters variations in the control signal that are less than a noise threshold. Noise can occur due to, for example, ambient noise such as radio frequencies and / or other electromagnetic signals, noise caused by physical instabilities in the input device that generates the control signal, and / or any other source.

[0110] In some examples, control circuit 112 can filter noise by establishing a range or window of values ​​based on the received values ​​of the control signal and treating values ​​within that range as the same value. Alternatively or additionally, control circuit 112 can filter noise by using weights to weight the sample values ​​of the control signal, with higher weights for earlier samples and lower weights for newer samples (e.g., up to an upper limit of sample age). Thus, a weighted filter can reduce the impact of transient changes in control signal 158 while allowing the operator to adjust the output level. In other examples, control circuit 112 can apply an increasingly larger time constant to the samples of the control signal, such that values ​​held for longer periods have a greater impact on the output value.

[0111] In block 808, control circuit 112 determines the cooperative voltage and wire feed speed based on the filtered value of the control signal. For example, control circuit 112 may determine the power level corresponding to the filtered value of the control signal and calculate or look up (e.g., in a lookup table) the voltage and wire feed speed parameters corresponding to that power level.

[0112] In block 810, control circuit 112 controls power conversion circuit 110 to convert input power into welding power and outputs welding power to welding torch 106 based on a determined voltage and wire feed speed. For example, control circuit 112 may control power conversion circuit 110 based on a determined voltage and control wire drive device 136 based on a determined wire feed speed.

[0113] Then control returns to box 802 to continue, while the welding operation continues.

[0114] Figure 9 This demonstrates the specific physical characteristics based on the welding operation. Figure 1 , 2 and / or Figure 3 Example mapping relationship 900 from the input value range of the control signal 904a, 904b to the voltage range and wire feed speed range.

[0115] Example control circuit 112 can determine mapping relationship 900 to coordinately control the outputs of power conversion circuit 110 and wire feeder 104 to use a range smaller than the entire voltage range and a range smaller than the entire wire feed speed range. For example, control circuit 112 can use the physical characteristics of the welding operation to determine sub-ranges of voltage and wire feed speed for mapping to the input value range. Example physical characteristics of welding may include workpiece thickness, workpiece material, wire composition, wire diameter, and / or shielding gas composition.

[0116] Some conventional welding systems provide recommended voltage and wire feed speeds based on workpiece thickness, wire composition, wire diameter, and shielding gas composition. Recommended voltage and wire feed speeds may be provided along with a range of recommended voltage and / or wire feed speeds, within which the operator is permitted to adjust the voltage and wire feed speed. Recommended voltage and wire feed speeds may also be provided along with permissible ranges of voltage and / or wire feed speeds, which may exceed the boundaries of the recommended ranges.

[0117] Figure 9 Example mapping 900 maps the input range of control signal 158 (e.g., a normalized range of 0% to 100%) to a first limit range of voltage and a first limit range of wire feed speed (limit range 904a). In some examples, the first limit range of voltage and the first limit range of wire feed speed are based on recommended voltage and wire feed speed ranges associated with recommended voltage and wire feed speeds, and / or on the physical characteristics of the welding operation. Figure 9 In the example, the lower end of the normalized range corresponds to the lower end of the first limit range of voltage and the first limit range of wire feed speed (e.g., 20V and 300ipm), while the upper end of the normalized range corresponds to the upper end of the first limit range of voltage 904a and the first limit range of wire feed speed 904a (e.g., 22V and 360ipm).

[0118] Figure 9 Example mapping 900 alternately maps the input range of control signal 158 (e.g., a normalized range of 0% to 100%) to a second limiting range of voltage and a second limiting range of wire feed speed (sub-range 904b). In some examples, the second limiting range of voltage and the second limiting range of wire feed speed are based on permissible ranges of voltage and wire feed speed associated with recommended voltage and wire feed speed (e.g., a wider range than recommended, but less than the entire range of voltage and wire feed speed output) and / or on the physical characteristics of the welding operation. Figure 9 In the example, the lower end of the normalized range of the control signal (e.g., the minimum value of the control signal) corresponds to the lower end of the second limit range of voltage and the second limit range of wire feed speed (e.g., 19V and 280ipm), and the upper end of the normalized range corresponds to the upper end of the second limit range 904b of voltage and wire feed speed (e.g., 23V and 380ipm).

[0119] As the value of the control signal changes (e.g., within a normalized range of 0 to 100%), the control circuit 112 proportionally, inversely proportionally, or segmentally proportionally controls the outputs of the power conversion circuit 110 and the wire feeder 104. Mapping the range of the control signal value to a second limit range 904b, rather than mapping the range of the input value to a first limit range 904a, causes the control circuit 112 to increase or decrease the power output (e.g., voltage and wire feed speed) more for each unit change in the value of the control signal.

[0120] Figure 10 This is a flowchart representing example machine-readable instruction 1000, which can be generated by... Figure 1 , 2 and / or Figure 3 The welding system is executed to coordinately control the welding system within a certain numerical range, where this range is determined based on the characteristics of the workpiece. The following will refer to... Figure 1 The example instruction 1000 is described using system 100, and the instruction begins when no welding operation has occurred. Instruction 1000 can be used with... Figure 7A and 7B It is implemented in conjunction with / or the 700 and 800 instructions of 8.

[0121] In block 1002, control circuitry 112 determines whether input for one or more physical characteristics of a specified welding operation has been received. For example, input may be received via user interface 114 and / or via communication transceiver 118 (e.g., from wire feeder 104 and / or from another device). Specified physical characteristics may include one or more of workpiece thickness, workpiece material type, welding wire type, welding wire diameter, or shielding gas type.

[0122] If input of one or more physical characteristics for a specified welding operation has been received (box 1002), in box 1004, control circuit 112 looks up the voltage range (e.g., upper and lower limits) and wire feed speed range (e.g., upper and lower limits) based on the specified physical characteristics. For example, the voltage range and wire feed speed range may be based on recommended ranges, permissible ranges, and / or any other ranges determined based on the specified physical characteristics.

[0123] In block 1006, control circuit 112 maps the input value range of the control signal to a defined voltage range and wire feed speed range. For example, control circuit 112 may map the lower end of the input value range (e.g., 0% of the normalized range, 10% of the normalized range, etc.) to the lower end of the voltage and wire feed speed limit range, and map the upper end of the input value range to the upper end of the voltage and wire feed speed limit range. The example control circuit 112 can then perform interpolation between the upper and lower limits based on the value of the control signal relative to the input value range.

[0124] After mapping the input value range (box 1006), or if no input specifying the physical characteristics has been received (box 1002), in box 1008, control circuitry 112 determines whether a welding operation is being performed. For example, control circuitry 112 may determine whether at least one threshold of a control signal has been received from the trigger of welding torch 106 (e.g., power selector circuitry 156), foot pedal, and / or other control inputs. If no welding operation is being performed (box 1008), control returns to box 1002 to await input and / or the start of the welding operation.

[0125] If a welding operation is being performed (box 1008), in box 1010, control circuitry 112 determines whether the input value range is mapped to the limit range. If the input value range is mapped to the limit range (box 1010), in box 1012, control circuitry 112 determines the coordinating voltage and wire feed speed based on the received control signal value and the mapped range of voltage and wire feed speed. For example, control circuitry 112 may interpolate the values ​​of voltage and wire feed speed from the mapped limit range of voltage and wire feed speed based on the value of control signal 158 relative to the input value range.

[0126] On the other hand, if the input value range is not mapped to the limit range (box 1010), in box 1014, the control circuit 112 determines the coordinated voltage and wire feed speed based on the value of the received control signal and the default range of voltage and wire feed speed. Example default ranges could be the entire voltage range and the entire wire feed speed range of system 100, a manually selected range, and / or a range determined based on other parameters.

[0127] After determining the coordinating voltage and wire feed speed based on the mapped range (box 1012) or the default range (box 1014), in box 1016, control circuit 112 controls power conversion circuit 110 to convert input power into welding-type power based on the determined coordinating voltage and wire feed speed, and outputs the welding-type power to welding torch 106. For example, control circuit 112 can control power conversion circuit 110 according to the determined voltage and control wire drive device 136 according to the determined wire feed speed. Control then returns to box 1008 to determine whether the welding operation continues.

[0128] Figure 11 Example mapping 1100 is shown, which will... Figure 1 , 2 and / or Figure 3 Multiple sub-ranges 1102, 1104 of the input signal range 1106 of the control signal 158 are mapped to different power ranges, voltage ranges and / or wire feed speed ranges (e.g., cooperative output 1108) for performing cooperative control of the welding system 100 based on the input value of the control signal 158.

[0129] exist Figure 11 In the example, different sub-ranges of the input signal range 1106 have different rates of change in the cooperative output (e.g., power, voltage, wire feed speed) for each unit change in the value of the control signal 158. For example, the first sub-range 1102 of the input signal range 1106 occupies a larger portion of the input signal range 1106 compared to the second sub-range 1104, but is a smaller sub-range 1110 of the cooperative output range 1108 mapped to the input signal range 1106 compared to the second sub-range 1104. As a result, when the control signal 158 is within the first sub-range 1102, a unit change in the control signal 158 will result in a smaller change in the cooperative output 1108 than when the control signal 158 is within the second sub-range 1104.

[0130] In example mapping 1100, the lower sub-range 1102 of control signal 158 provides greater control granularity compared to the higher sub-range 1104. However, other mappings can be used based on user selection or specifications (e.g., via user interface 114 and / or via configuration received from wire feeder 104 and / or via another remote configuration via communication transceiver 118), or based on automatic configuration of welding characteristics. For example, an operator may desire a greater degree of control in the higher output sub-ranges of input signal range 1106 and / or in the middle sub-ranges of the input signal range. In some examples, the operator can select the number and / or boundaries of sub-ranges 1102, 1104, and / or select the boundaries of corresponding co-output sub-ranges 1110, 1112.

[0131] Figure 12 This is a flowchart representing example machine-readable instruction 1200, which can be derived from... Figure 1 , 2 and / or Figure 3 The welding system 100 is executed to coordinately control the welding system 100 using multiple sub-ranges of the input signal range. For example, Figure 1 The control circuit 112 can execute instructions 1200 to configure the mapping of sub-ranges of control signals 158 to sub-ranges 1110, 1112 of coordinated power, voltage and / or wire feed speed, for example... Figure 11 The mapping is 1100.

[0132] In block 1202, control circuitry 112 determines whether an input indicating a mapping from a specified control signal subrange (e.g., subranges 1102, 1104) to a co-output subrange (e.g., subranges 1110, 1112) has been received. This input may be received via user interface 114 and / or via communication transceiver 118 (e.g., from wire feeder 104 and / or from another device). If an input indicating a mapping from a specified control signal subrange to a co-output subrange has been received (block 1202), in block 1204, control circuitry 112 maps a first value subrange of the control signal (e.g., subrange 1102) to a first voltage subrange and a first wire feed speed subrange (e.g., subrange 1110). In block 1206, control circuitry 112 maps a second value subrange of the control signal (e.g., subrange 1104) to the first voltage subrange and the second wire feed speed subrange (e.g., subrange 1112).

[0133] Following the mapping (box 1206), or if no input for the specified mapping is received (box 1202), in box 1208, control circuitry 112 determines whether a welding operation is being performed. For example, control circuitry 112 determines whether at least one threshold of a control signal is received from the trigger (e.g., power selector circuitry 156) of welding torch 106, the foot pedal, and / or other control inputs. If no welding operation is being performed (box 1208), control returns to box 1202 to await input and / or the start of the welding operation.

[0134] If a welding operation is being performed (box 1208), in box 1210, control circuit 112 determines whether the received value of control signal 158 is within a first value sub-range of the control signal. If the received value of control signal 158 is within the first value sub-range of the control signal (e.g., sub-range 1102) (box 1210), in box 1212, control circuit 112 determines the coordinating voltage and wire feed speed based on the received control signal value and a mapped first voltage sub-range and first wire feed speed sub-range (e.g., sub-range 1110). For example, control circuit 112 may interpolate the voltage and wire feed speed based on the upper and lower values ​​of sub-range 1102 and the upper and lower values ​​of voltage and wire feed speed sub-range 1110.

[0135] On the other hand, if the received value of control signal 158 is not within the first value sub-range of the control signal (e.g., the received value is within the second sub-range 1104) (box 1210), in box 1214, control circuit 112 determines the coordinated voltage and wire feed speed based on the received control signal value and the mapped second voltage sub-range and second wire feed speed sub-range (e.g., sub-range 1112). For example, control circuit 112 can interpolate the voltage and wire feed speed based on the upper and lower values ​​of sub-range 1104 and the upper and lower values ​​of voltage and wire feed speed sub-range 1112.

[0136] After determining the coordinating voltage and wire feed speed (block 1212 or 1214), in block 1216, control circuit 112 controls power conversion circuit 110 to convert input power into welding power, and outputs welding power to welding torch 106 based on the determined coordinating voltage and wire feed speed. For example, control circuit 112 may control power conversion circuit 110 based on a determined voltage and control wire drive 136 based on a determined wire feed speed. Control then returns to block 1208 to determine whether the welding operation continues.

[0137] Although example instruction 1200 is described with reference to two sub-ranges of values ​​for the control signal, in other examples, instruction 1200 may be modified to accommodate three or more sub-ranges.

[0138] Back Figure 1-3 Example control circuit 112 can control the welding start sequence according to a predetermined welding start sequence and / or using coordinated control. At the start of welding, an arc is established, and the weld pool is stabilized and grows to steady-state conditions, which has a significant impact on the early portion of the welding and the resulting weldment. Conversely, steady-state welding refers to the portion of welding after the welding start sequence, where welding conditions are relatively stable.

[0139] The example welding start sequence includes the following stages: 1) arc initiation, in which an arc is established; 2) weld pool stabilization; and 3) weld pool growth. The weld pool stabilization stage involves increasing the wire feed motor speed and controlling at least one of the voltage or current of the welding-type power output based on the wire feed motor speed, while the weld pool growth stage involves increasing the size of the weld pool to the desired size. The predetermined welding start sequence defines predetermined parameters and / or time for each stage, but may involve closed-loop feedback to adjust the parameters. Conversely, the example control circuit 112 may allow coordinated control of one or more stages using control signals received from the power selector circuit 156. For example, the control circuit 112 may allow the operator to control the output power during the weld pool growth stage to control the growth rate and / or size of the weld pool entering steady-state welding.

[0140] In some examples, control circuit 112 controls power conversion circuit 110, wire feeder 104, and / or any other device according to a predetermined welding start sequence. At the end of the predetermined welding start sequence, control circuit 112 changes parameters for coordinated control (e.g., voltage, current, wire feed speed, power, etc.), which, according to the examples disclosed above, are used for the steady-state portion of the welding. The change from the predetermined welding start sequence to coordinated control can be achieved through a step change, wherein control circuit 112 changes the parameters of the welding start sequence to the parameters of the steady-state of coordinated control (based on the control signal) as quickly as possible (e.g., less than an upper limit time period, taking into account circuit factors such as inductance and / or motor inertia). In other examples, the change from the predetermined welding start sequence to coordinated control can occur gradually over a period of time.

[0141] In some examples, during a predetermined welding start sequence, the operator can end the welding start sequence and / or change to steady-state parameters before the planned or predetermined end time of the welding start sequence. For example, the operator can adjust the control signal by at least one threshold amount (e.g., fully or partially pulling or releasing a trigger or foot pedal). Alternatively or additionally, the control circuit 112 can set the value of the control signal at the end of the predetermined welding start sequence to correspond to a voltage setpoint, current setpoint, wire feed speed setpoint, and / or any other setpoint. For example, the value of the control signal at the end of the welding start sequence can be used as a reference value corresponding to one or more parameter setpoints, and the difference between the control signal and the reference value can be used to control the output parameters relative to the setpoint.

[0142] Figure 13 This is a flowchart representing example machine-readable instruction 1300, which can be derived from... Figure 1 , 2 and / or Figure 3 The welding system executes to control the welding system 100 to execute the welding start sequence. For example, Figure 1 The control circuit 112 can execute instruction 1300 to perform welding start sequence and / or steady-state welding using cooperative control.

[0143] In block 1302, control circuitry 112 determines whether welding has been initiated. For example, control circuitry 112 may determine whether an input signal (e.g., a trigger, foot pedal, etc.) is at least a threshold. For example, a trigger may include an analog input device with a mechanical switch. If welding has not yet been initiated (block 1302), control returns to block 1302 to wait for welding to be initiated and / or to enable the configuration of welding system 100.

[0144] When welding is initiated (box 1302), in box 1304, control circuit 112 determines whether the welding start sequence should be coordinated. If the welding start sequence is not coordinated (box 1304), in box 1306, control circuit 112 initiates an arc based on a predetermined welding sequence. An example predetermined welding sequence includes an arc initiation phase, a weld pool stabilization phase, and a weld pool growth phase. Control circuit 112 can initiate an arc during the arc initiation phase of the predetermined welding start sequence.

[0145] In block 1308, control circuitry 112 stabilizes the solder pool (e.g., a solder pool stabilization phase of a predetermined soldering start sequence). In block 1310, control circuitry 112 determines whether there is at least one threshold change in the control signal. For example, control circuitry 112 may determine whether the operator has moved a trigger or foot pedal by at least a threshold amount in one or both directions. If no threshold change occurs in the control signal (block 1310), in block 1312, control circuitry 112 controls the power conversion circuitry to grow the solder pool to a target size. For example, the target size may be determined based on time duration, output current, optical measurements or other measurements, and / or any other technique.

[0146] In block 1314, control circuit 112 determines whether at least one threshold change has occurred in the control signal. Block 1314 may be similar to or the same as block 1310.

[0147] After growing the solder pool through a predetermined soldering start sequence (blocks 1310, 1312, and 1314) without threshold changes in the control signals, in block 1316, control circuit 112 determines whether the soldering start sequence is complete. For example, control circuit 112 may determine whether a threshold output has been reached, whether a threshold solder pool size has been generated, and / or whether a certain time length has been reached. If the soldering start sequence has not ended (block 1316), control returns to block 1312 to continue solder pool growth.

[0148] If the welding start sequence is to be coordinated (box 1304), in box 1318, control circuit 112 coordinates the welding start sequence. For example, control circuit 112 may, during the welding start sequence (e.g., in response to the initiation of the welding process via a remote control device), control two or more of the following parameters based on control signals: welding voltage output, welding current output, wire feed speed, and / or any other parameter. In some examples, the coordinated welding start sequence may implement an arc initiation phase, a weld pool stabilization phase, and a weld pool growth phase, and may coordinately control primarily or only affect the weld pool growth phase. For example, to initiate steady-state welding, the operator may adjust the control signals to enlarge the weld pool faster or slower and / or obtain a larger or smaller weld pool. References will follow below. Figure 14 Discuss example instructions for implementing box 1316.

[0149] When the welding start sequence ends (box 1316 or 1318), or if there is a threshold change in the control signal during the predetermined start sequence (boxes 1310, 1314), in box 1320, control circuit 112 determines whether to coordinate control of steady-state welding. For example, the operator can choose whether to use coordinated control only for the welding start sequence, only for the steady-state portion of the welding, or both.

[0150] To coordinate the control of steady-state welding (box 1320), in box 1322, control circuit 112 coordinates the control of steady-state welding. Box 1322 can be... Figure 6 Example instruction 600 is implemented. Conversely, if steady-state welding is not coordinated (block 1320), in block 1324, control circuit 112 controls steady-state welding based on a setpoint.

[0151] The coordinated control transition from a predetermined welding start sequence to steady-state welding and / or from coordinated control of the welding start sequence to setpoint-based steady-state welding control can be accomplished through step changes (e.g., changing parameters as quickly as possible, taking into account, for example, the inductance of the welding circuit and / or the inertia of the wire feed motor). For example, when transitioning from a predetermined welding start sequence to coordinated control of steady-state welding, the control circuit 112 can adjust the voltage of the welding power, the current of the welding power, and / or the wire feed speed by immediately changing the setpoint based on the control signal.

[0152] In other examples, the transition can be completed within at least one threshold time period (e.g., a ramp transition). For example, when transitioning from a predetermined welding start sequence to a steady-state welding coordinated control, the control circuit 112 can adjust the voltage, current, and / or wire feed speed within that time period based on the difference between 1) the values ​​of voltage, current, and / or wire feed speed and 2) the coordinated control values ​​of voltage, current, and / or wire feed speed based on the control signal.

[0153] After steady-state welding is controlled cooperatively (box 1322) or non-cooperatively (box 1324), in box 1326, control circuit 112 determines whether welding has ended. For example, control circuit 112 may monitor control signals and / or welding current. If welding has not ended (box 1326), control returns to box 1320 to continue controlling steady-state welding. When welding has ended (box 1326), control returns to box 1302.

[0154] Figure 14 This is a flowchart representing example machine-readable instruction 1400, which can be derived from... Figure 1 , 2 and / or Figure 3 The welding system executes to control the welding system 100 to coordinately control the welding start sequence. For example, Figure 1The control circuit 112 can execute instruction 1400 to achieve Figure 13 Box 1318.

[0155] In block 1402, control circuit 112 controls power conversion circuit 110 and wire feeder 104 to initiate an electric arc. In block 1404, control circuit 112 controls power conversion circuit 110 and wire feeder 104 to stabilize the weld pool. For example, in response to activation of power selector circuit 156 or other control devices, control circuit 112 can set arc initiation parameters and / or weld pool stabilization parameters, including voltage, current, and / or wire feed speed.

[0156] In some examples, the arc initiation parameters and / or weld pool stability parameters are not based on the values ​​of the control signals. However, in other examples, the arc initiation parameters and / or weld pool stability parameters are based on which range of multiple ranges the values ​​of the control signals fall into. For example, a higher range may cause the control circuit 112 to select a set of parameters associated with the hot-start welding sequence, while a lower range may cause the control circuit 112 to select a non-hot-start parameter set.

[0157] In block 1406, control circuit 112 receives control signals from a remote control device, such as power selector circuit 156 (e.g., a trigger or control pedal). In block 1408, control circuit 112 determines the coordinating voltage and wire feed speed based on the control signals. Block 1408 can be connected to... Figure 6 Box 608 is executed similarly, but the precise parameters corresponding to the control signals can be adjusted according to the requirements of the welding start sequence relative to steady-state welding.

[0158] In block 1410, control circuit 112 controls power conversion circuit 110 to output a defined voltage and controls wire feeder (e.g., integrated wire feeder 204, remote wire feeder 104) to feed wire at a defined wire feed speed. The growth rate of the solder pool is controlled based on the control signals controlling power conversion circuit 110 and wire feeder.

[0159] In block 1412, control circuit 112 determines whether the welding start sequence has ended. For example, control circuit 112 may determine whether a predetermined duration has elapsed, whether the control signal has changed by at least one threshold amount, or whether the control signal has met a threshold (e.g., a trigger is fully pulled, or a trigger exceeding a mechanical or digital switch value is released). If the welding start sequence has not ended (block 1412), control returns to block 1406, continuing weld pool growth according to the control signal. When the welding start sequence ends (block 1412), example instruction 1400 ends, and control returns to... Figure 13 The frame is 1320.

[0160] Although the examples disclosed above are described with reference to coordinated voltage and wire feed speed, the disclosed systems and methods can control other parameters based on, for example, the type of welding operation being performed. For example, as an alternative to or addition to controlling the voltage, the disclosed systems and methods can coordinately control the current with one or more other parameters.

[0161] This method and system can be implemented in hardware, software, and / or a combination of hardware and software. This method and / or system can be implemented centrally or distributedly in at least one computing system, with different elements distributed across several interconnected computing systems. Any kind of computing system or other device is suitable for performing the methods described herein. A typical combination of hardware and software can include a general-purpose computing system having a program or other code that, when loaded and executed, controls the computing system to perform the methods described herein. Another typical implementation can include an application-specific integrated circuit or chip. Some implementations can include a non-transitory machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) medium (e.g., a FLASH drive, optical disc, magnetic disk, or the like) storing one or more lines of machine-executable code that causes the machine to perform the processes described herein. As used herein, the term "non-transitory machine-readable medium" is limited to include all types of machine-readable storage media and excludes propagating signals.

[0162] As used herein, for example, a particular processor and memory may include a first “circuit” when executing the first line or more of code, and a second “circuit” when executing the second line or more of code. As utilized herein, “and / or” refers to any one or more items in a list connected by “and / or”. As an example, “x and / or y” refers to any element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, “x and / or y” means “one or both of x and y”. As another example, “x, y, and / or z” refers to any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y, and / or z” means “one or more of x, y, and z”. As used herein, the term “exemplary” means as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As used herein, the terms “for example” and “for instance” list one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. As used herein, the circuit is “operable” to perform the function, provided that the circuit includes the necessary hardware and code to perform the function (if necessary), regardless of whether the function is disabled or not enabled (e.g., by user-configurable settings, factory adjustments, etc.).

[0163] While this method and / or system has been described with reference to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of this disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, the system, blocks, and / or other components of the disclosed embodiments may be combined, divided, rearranged, and / or otherwise modified. Therefore, this method and / or system is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed. Rather, this method and / or system will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims, both literally and according to the principle of equivalence.

Claims

1. A welding-type power supply, comprising: A power conversion circuit configured to convert input power into welding power and output the welding power to a welding torch; A communication circuit configured to receive control signals from a remote control device during welding operations; as well as The control circuit is configured as follows: In response to the initiation of the welding process via the remote control device, the welding power and wire feed speed are controlled based on a predetermined welding start sequence; Determine the value of the control signal at the end of the predetermined welding start sequence; as well as After the predetermined welding start sequence, based on comparing the value of the control signal with the value of the control signal at the end of the predetermined welding start sequence, at least two of the voltage of the welding power output by the power conversion circuit, the current of the welding power, or the wire feed speed are coordinated and controlled.

2. The welding-type power supply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to coordinately control the voltage and the wire feed speed in such a way that: The command power level for the welding power is set based on the control signal; Determine the voltage and the wire feed speed corresponding to the command power level; Control the power conversion circuit to output the voltage; and The wire feeder is controlled based on the wire feeding speed.

3. The welding power supply of claim 1, wherein the communication circuit is configured to receive the control signal from at least one of the welding torch or the foot pedal.

4. The welding power supply as claimed in claim 3, wherein the welding torch or the foot pedal comprises at least one of an analog input device or a digital input device.

5. The welding power supply of claim 4, wherein the analog input device comprises at least one of a potentiometer or a mechanical switch, the potentiometer or mechanical switch being configured to provide feedback indicating an actuation lower limit for the analog input device to initiate the welding process.

6. The welding power supply of claim 4, wherein the digital input device includes an encoder, and the control circuit is configured to identify the initiation of the welding process based on the value of the encoder satisfying a threshold output value.

7. The welding-type power supply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to: The value of the control signal is set at the end of the predetermined welding start sequence, the value of the control signal corresponding to at least one of a voltage setpoint, a current setpoint, or a wire feed speed setpoint; and Based on a comparison of the control signal with the value of the control signal at the end of the predetermined welding start sequence, and based on at least one of the voltage setpoint, the current setpoint, or the wire feed speed setpoint, the voltage of the welding power, the current of the welding power, or the wire feed speed are coordinated and controlled.

8. The welding-type power supply of claim 1, wherein the control signal is configured to filter out variations in the control signal that are less than a noise threshold.

9. The welding power supply of claim 1, wherein the predetermined welding start sequence includes an arc initiation phase and a weld pool stabilization phase, the weld pool stabilization phase including increasing the wire feed motor speed and controlling at least one of the voltage or the current of the welding power output based on the wire feed motor speed.

10. The welding power supply of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is configured to transition from the predetermined welding start sequence to coordinated control within at least one threshold time period.

11. The welding power supply of claim 10, wherein the control circuit is configured to, during the time period, adjust at least two of the following: 1) the value of at least two of the voltage, current, or wire feed speed of the welding power output at the end of the predetermined welding start sequence, and 2) the difference between coordinated control values ​​of the voltage, current, or wire feed speed of the welding power output of the control signal.

12. The welding-type power supply of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to transition from the predetermined welding start sequence to coordinated control using a step change.

13. The welding power supply of claim 12, wherein the control circuit is configured to adjust at least two of the voltage, current, or wire feed speed of the welding power output to a coordinated control value based on the control signal immediately after the predetermined welding start sequence.

14. The welding-type power supply of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to terminate the predetermined start sequence and initiate cooperative control in response to at least one threshold change in the control signal.

15. A welded power supply, comprising: A power conversion circuit configured to convert input power into welding power and output the welding power to a welding torch; A communication circuit configured to receive control signals from a remote control device during welding operations; as well as The control circuit is configured as follows: In response to the initiation of the welding process via the remote control device, during the welding start sequence, based on the control signal, at least two of the following: the voltage of the welding power output by the power conversion circuit, the current of the welding power, or the wire feed speed are coordinated and controlled. Determine the value of the control signal at the end of the welding start sequence; and After the welding start sequence, at least two of the voltage, the current, or the wire feed speed are controlled in a coordinated manner based on comparing the value of the control signal with the value of the control signal at the end of the welding start sequence.

16. The welding power supply of claim 15, wherein the control circuit is configured to coordinately control the current as a hot-start current and the wire feed speed based on the control signal during the welding start sequence.

17. The welding-type power supply of claim 16, wherein the control circuit is configured to coordinately control the hot-start current and the wire feed speed in such a way that: The command power level for the welding power is set based on the control signal; Determine the hot-start current and the wire feed speed corresponding to the command power level; Control the power conversion circuit to output the hot-start current; and The wire feeder is controlled based on the wire feeding speed.

18. The welding power supply of claim 15, wherein the control circuit is configured to transition from coordinated control to a corresponding setpoint during at least a threshold time period following the welding start sequence.

19. The welding power supply of claim 15, wherein the control circuit is configured to transition from coordinated control to a corresponding setpoint via a step change after the welding start sequence.

20. A welding-type power supply, comprising: A power conversion circuit configured to convert input power into welding power and output the welding power to a welding torch; A communication circuit configured to receive control signals from a remote control device during welding operations; as well as The control circuit is configured as follows: In response to the initiation of the welding process via the remote control device, the welding power and wire feed speed are controlled based on a predetermined welding start sequence; and Following the predetermined welding start sequence, based on the control signal, at least two of the following: the voltage of the welding power output from the power conversion circuit, the current of the welding power, or the wire feed speed are coordinated and controlled. This coordinated control indicates that two or more variables or components are controlled according to a specific relationship. The voltage and the wire feed speed are controlled in a coordinated manner as follows: The command power level for the welding power is set based on the control signal; Determine the voltage and the wire feed speed corresponding to the command power level; Control the power conversion circuit to output the voltage; as well as The wire feeder is controlled based on the wire feeding speed.

21. The welded power supply according to claim 20, wherein, The control circuit is configured as follows: In response to the initiation of the welding process via the remote control device, during the welding start sequence, based on the control signal, the voltage of the welding power output from the power conversion circuit and the wire feed speed are coordinated and controlled, and the coordinated control indicates the control of two or more variables or components according to a specific relationship; and Following the welding start sequence, the voltage and the wire feed speed are controlled based on at least one of a corresponding setpoint or control signal, the setpoint indicating user input.

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