Abstract
The relation between the voltage and the arc length in gas metal arc welding (GMAW) is an important characteristic. It determines the power transfer to a large extent, and its knowledge allows the control of the process. However, the voltage depends on a complex distribution of the electric conductivity along the current path and does not depend on the arc length only. A simplified electrical model is introduced for a pulsed GMAW process which shows the relation of voltage, current, arc length, and free wire length. It considers also their temporal evolution during the process in particular during the high-current phase. The model is based on previous detailed studies of the sheath voltage and the resistances in the contact tube, the free wire, the droplet depot, and the arc in pulsed processes with changing arc lengths. The electrical model shows a sufficient agreement with electrical measurements and optical estimations of the arc length also for different wire feed speed and different contact-to-workpiece distance (CTWD).
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
