MTS 250S Features Usage

[colddainhell]

Hello Forum. This is my third post and let me say first I am fairly new to my multi-process machine. I have been stick welding for ages on a tombstone. I design and fabricate my own tools and machines for use on my farm. As the manual is quite vague on its features I was hoping someone could shed some light. I did find some videos but they were also very vague or were about marketing. First is the wave form knob when selecting Mig. What does it do exactly. Set it to zero it will do this, set it at 50% it does this and what at 100%. I have laid some beads but don't see much of a change. I am just trying to understand from a technical point of view what these features do and how I can apply them. The same thing goes for Arc Force in stick mode. I have watched Jody do the stick review but he doesn't say the reasons he puts it at 77. Why would I change these? What are the pro's and con's? A video would be nice showing the features usage with an explanation of what happens when its set at minimum then maximum. I have attached an image of my first project with the MTS and the original design in Solidworks. This is an attachment for my FEL to move my implements in and out of my shop without having to hook up the 3PH. Works awesome. I can say I love this machine so far even though had a few bumps in the beginning.




Thanks for your input and opinions.

[Rambozo]

Arc force is the amount of extra current that is applied when the voltage goes below the set point. That is technically what it does, now for the how and why. What this means is that if you hold a very tight arc when stick welding, as you get a bit too close, so that the rod would normally stick, the machine cranks up a little extra amperage, so that you won't stick. It also lets you burn in the weld in some areas by going a little closer. Some machines call this function dig, because you can dig in with it. How you set it depends on the rod used and your welding style. You should be able to see the difference right away, just keep closing up your arc and you can tell when the extra current kicks in. If it's not enough and the rod sticks, turn it up a little. If it's too much and you blow a hole in the work or something, turn it down. For 7018 it's great and you will find it works great cranked up pretty high. For 6011 or other deep penetrating rod, you won't use so much of it, if any. YMMV

I believe the waveform control is like other machines inductance control, but I'll let someone more knowledgeable about it, answer that.

[Rambozo]

Probably covered here better than I did.

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/arc-force.html

[Kempy]

This is from the MTS250S manual.
Wave Form Control:
Varies the current rise time during short circuit MIG operation. This affects the actual point where the current has risen suffi-ciently to burn back the wire after the wire has “short circuited”. The point at which it has burned back is considered the “pinch point”. This is where the wire will begin to once again melt and transfer. To put it in more practical terms, the user will see that the wire is sticking out longer or shorter from the MIG torch before it burns away, depending upon the exact setting. This controls spatter, penetration and bead pro-file. When the wave form is changed from one extreme to the other, the operator will observe that the arc is more penetrating at one end or more fluid on the other end. Bead profile changes will occur as well. A stiffer arc will produce a deep but narrow profile. A fluid arc will produce a wider, shallower weld, usually with an improved bead appearance and less spatter. Wave form control is also known as inductance control, slope or arc force control (MIG). By changing the wave form, the user can achieve arc perfor-mance that is familiar to the operator. The arc sound will change as the wave form is adjusted, going from a pitched whine to a frying sizzle. All brands with no wave form control have a fixed slope, though not all are set at the same level. A person using the MTS unit can achieve an arc that is very similar to what he/she is used to or use it to improve arc behavior.

I use the waveform all the time with the Spool Gun aluminum and steel and find it work very well.

[Kempy]

This is also from the MTS250S manual in addition to Rambozo comments.
MIG Volt/TIG Down Slope/ Stick Arc Force Control.
In each mode, the function of the control changes. In the regular MIG mode, the control is used to adjust the arc voltage. While in synergic MIG mode (250S Only ) it is linked directly to the amp control. Adjusting the voltage will increase or decrease the amperage automatically based off of the parameters selected on the panel, and the programming of the microprocessor of the welder. While in TIG mode, the it functions to adjust the down slope of the arc current while the unit is used in 4T mode. In Stick mode, the control is used to vary the automatic arc force current response. When used for stick welding the arc force is also known as “dig”. When welding in stick mode, the current is increased as the volts fall off due to a short arc length. This helps maintain the arc by providing more wattage, keeping the elec-trode from sticking.