TIG Welding, Pulse Versus Advanced Pulse, Part 2 of 2

TIG Welding, Pulse Versus Advanced Pulse continued...

Once you understand the basics of pulse, (covered in part 1), you understand that it is a dynamic tool for improving weldability of heat sensitive metals, and improving arc control. However, the new advanced pulse is geared toward welding aluminum only. On the new digital Everlast welders, the advanced pulse actually cycles between AC (Alternating Current) and DC (Direct Current). The Advanced Pulse is designed strictly for welding aluminum and magnesium. The AC part of the pulse is assigned the normal amps, or rather “welding amps” and is the high stage of the pulse. The DC part of the pulse is assigned the “pulse amps” or background  part of the pulse. As the pulse cycles, polarity is switched from AC to DC negative. As this alternates back and forth, the AC portion of the cycle provides the cleaning. Depending upon exactly how the pulse is set, it also provides penetration when the DC part of the pulse is set to low amperage. When DC amps is set low in the advanced pulse the puddle rapidly freezes and the puddle profile stands up. This is perfect for thin materials and provides a good, clean bead. When DC amp values are set high, AC actually provides freezing of the puddle while providing cooling. This feature allows greater penetration on thicker metal, because the DC- (negative) stage puts more heat into the weld and can increase penetration over AC alone.   In experimenting with this feature on average, penetration can be increased over 30% depending upon the other pulse settings of hertz and pulse width (balance).

The advanced pulse is limited to 10 Hz on our units which is sufficient due to the cycling between AC positive and DC negative provides.  Due to the nature of how it is used, usually to help manage and manually time dips of the  filler metal to achieve rapid freezing and  good results on thin material or greater penetration on thicker materials, a higher pulse frequency simply is not needed.   As far as the pulse width (balance) adjustment, it will take personal experimentation with the best setting as once again the AC part of the cycle will provide the needed cleaning and how long it lasts will be determined by how much cleaning is required to achieve a cleaned area for the DC  to begin its penetration/cooling stage of the pulse cycle.

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