Optimizing the Transition Process from Sparking for Non-contact TIG Welding Inverters

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW or TIG) process in many cases, particularly in automated applications, does not have self-starting feature. High-frequency high-voltage AC pulses are required across the weld terminals to initiate sparking that help establishing stable DC current. The purpose of this work is to guide the transition process from creating momentary spark to desired stable welding current with minimum effort from welding inverter as well as from the spark generator. In the process the spark generator becomes repeatable and the system as a whole becomes more reliable. The performance index of this particular work is to eliminate the recurring requirement of high voltage high frequency pulses that emits Electromagnetic Interference.