What is Arcforce

[Jules The Great]

Hello all,

I did do a search on your forum and could not find specifically what the arcforce knob does. The picture of the I mig 140 shows it having an arcforce knob so I would like to know what it does i.e. what does it vary for the arc? Frequency?

Thank you,
Jules

[kenwhite]

Hello all,

I did do a search on your forum and could not find specifically what the arcforce knob does. The picture of the I mig 140 shows it having an arcforce knob so I would like to know what it does i.e. what does it vary for the arc? Frequency?

Thank you,
Jules

It changes the output current slope, which means it can make the puddle hot (less change in the output current slope) or can make the puddle colder (the slope changes more). Can be used when going from horizontal to vertical welds.

[Brian Ski]

Try this manual.
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/downloads/mig.pdf

Page 11 number 12. Gives some info...

[CGCINC]

I was practicing with my new I-Mig 200 and the welds looked a little cold so I cranked up the Arcforce and that did the trick.

[Rodsmachineshop]

lol been reading the manual since want to know what all the control's do arcforce in mig mode is for adjusting how much wire is out of gun when you stop welding or start welding , Arc Force Control. This feature allows you to change arc qualities. When used in MIG mode, it helps to control wire burn back and stick out. These two factors help in start/stopping activities such as spot welding. When used in Stick/MMA/ SMAW mode, increasing or decreasing the “dig” can make the arc crisp and sharp or soft and buttery. This is helpful for making quality welds in and out of position. Some experimentation may be required to deter-mine the best setting for individual tastes. this is from the manual , like this since with my Lincoln welder when i stop i have about 2 to 3 inch's sticking out

[kenwhite]

lol been reading the manual since want to know what all the control's do arcforce in mig mode is for adjusting how much wire is out of gun when you stop welding or start welding , Arc Force Control. This feature allows you to change arc qualities. When used in MIG mode, it helps to control wire burn back and stick out. These two factors help in start/stopping activities such as spot welding. When used in Stick/MMA/ SMAW mode, increasing or decreasing the “dig” can make the arc crisp and sharp or soft and buttery. This is helpful for making quality welds in and out of position. Some experimentation may be required to deter-mine the best setting for individual tastes. this is from the manual , like this since with my Lincoln welder when i stop i have about 2 to 3 inch's sticking out

The verbage in the manual is interesting, but it is really controlling the arc current slope while keeping the average current nearly constant. Arc Force is what some manufacturers call "inductance".

[welderdude]

In the second post, there is a pretty good description of arc force/inductance.

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...Re-The-MTS-160

Edit. here is the post

"Inductance,( not induction) is a term used in the electrical field (no pun intended). All our MIG welders have adustable inducatance control. It is of course a technical term with lots of detailed scientific jargon attached. Here is the most brief and simple explanation I can find: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu...ic/induct.html.

This example probably relates a closely to what it does in our machines as anything. In short circuit welding, when the arc is "shorted" by the filler wire coming into contact with the weld, the current (amps) drops. The wire then begins to heat up by the rise in current until it heats up sufficiently to pinch off and melt into the puddle. While the time by which it takes the current to "rise" is small and happening many times a second, it can be adjusted through adjusting the inductance of the machine. This is called "current rise time". It allows the wire to break off closer or further from the weld, depending upon the setting. Allowing a quicker current rise time (lower inductance), creates a longer stickout (wire breaking near the puddle) which offers deeper penetration with a narrower bead. This is sometimes called a "stiff arc" or even perceived as running too cold (when in excess). Or allowing a longer current rise time (higher inductance), creates a noticeably shorter stickout, with the wire sometimes pinching off just after it leaves the contact tip. This creates a broader, more fluid looking puddle, as the heat seems to increase over a longer period of time. A smoother, lower bead profile will appear as well. Spatter can increase if set to the extreme. The arc will seem to be wider and the puddle will develop a "buttery" feel and look and may appear to be slow to cool. Inductance control is helpful for out of position welding and achieving a desirable bead profile, depending upon the requirements of the joint."

[Jules The Great]

Thank you all, I had read that last post here before.

Great info

[Rodsmachineshop]

I just turn all the knobs to the farthest right and weld real fast .lol

[Brian Ski]

I just turn all the knobs to the farthest right and weld real fast .lol

That is pretty funny... Since when I started stick welding I had trouble. I talked to an old timer and that is what he said. Just crank the power way up and go like hell. Actually it did weld pretty fair. Just couldn't move the rod fast enough!!!!

[Rodsmachineshop]

some times thats the best way to start then turn each knob separate till you get dialed in for a nice weld . when i got my 250ex tig i just turned all the knobs straight up and started from there , think it more easy starting half way on knobs or higher then go lower for adjustments

[Brian Ski]

I know this is an older post but ran across this info...
http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...rticle108.html

Better explanation at the bottom of the page.
I was trying to figure it out myself... What does that knob do??? Sounds like it is not used in TIG welding. Seems to be used when stick welding (or MIG welding) if you are trying to run the rod deeper to get better penetration, it turns up the power up. The more the knob is turn up, the larger the increase in power is applied.