ESAB Aristo U6 User manual

Aristo®
Instruction manual
0459 287 601 GB 20200522 Valid for: from program version 2.16U
U6

TABLE OF CONTENTS
0459 287 601 © ESAB AB 2020
1INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................... 4
1.1 Do this first.............................................................................................. 4
1.2 Control panel's working method........................................................... 5
1.3 Control panel .......................................................................................... 5
1.4 Symbols in the display .......................................................................... 6
1.5 Update of software ................................................................................. 6
2MENUS ........................................................................................................ 8
2.1 The main menu and the measurements menu .................................... 8
2.2 Select menu ............................................................................................ 8
3MIG/MAG WELDING ................................................................................... 10
3.1 Settings ................................................................................................... 10
3.2 Function explanations ........................................................................... 12
4TIG WELDING.............................................................................................. 17
4.1 Overview ................................................................................................. 17
4.2 Settings ................................................................................................... 17
4.3 Function explanations ........................................................................... 18
5MMA WELDING........................................................................................... 22
5.1 Settings ................................................................................................... 22
6ARC-AIR GOUGING.................................................................................... 23
6.1 Settings ................................................................................................... 23
7GENERAL FUNCTIONS .............................................................................. 24
7.1 Remote control unit................................................................................ 24
7.2 Language................................................................................................. 24
7.3 Dimensions ............................................................................................. 24
7.4 Panel enable ........................................................................................... 24
7.5 Auto save ................................................................................................ 24
7.6 Limits....................................................................................................... 24
7.7 Code Lock ............................................................................................... 25
7.7.1 Configure a lock code........................................................................... 25
7.7.2 Activate code lock function................................................................... 25
7.7.3 Enter a locked menu ............................................................................ 25
7.8 VRD (Voltage Reduction Device)........................................................... 25
8MEMORY MANAGMENT............................................................................. 26
8.1 Store welding data.................................................................................. 26
8.2 Recall welding data ................................................................................ 26
8.3 Delete welding data ................................................................................ 27
9FAULT CODES ............................................................................................ 29
9.1 General .................................................................................................... 29
9.2 List of fault codes................................................................................... 29
9.3 Fault code descriptions ......................................................................... 29

TABLE OF CONTENTS
0459 287 601 © ESAB AB 2020
10 ORDERING SPARE PARTS ........................................................................ 35
DIAGRAM ............................................................................................................ 36
WIRE AND GAS DIMENSIONS........................................................................... 37
Synergic lines ............................................................................................................ 37
Synergic lines – North American version ............................................................... 38
MENU STRUCTURE............................................................................................ 41
ORDERING NUMBERS....................................................................................... 55
Rights reserved to alter specifications without notice.

1 INTRODUCTION
0459 287 601 -4- © ESAB AB 2020
1 INTRODUCTION
This manual describes operation of the U6 control panel.
For safety and general information on operation, see the wire feed unit and power source
operating instructions.
Instruction manuals in other languages can be downloaded from the Internet:
manuals.esab.com
1.1 Do this first
This menu appears on the display the first time that you start the power unit.
4 - STROK CRAT FILL HOT START NEXT
When delivered, the control panel and display are set to English. There are 14 languages
stored in the control panel: change to the one that you want as follows.
Press MENU to reach the first SELECT MENU.
MIG / MAG
ER70S
CO2
19,2 VOLT
SELECT MENU
0,8 MM

5.0 M/MIN
PROCESS SETTING CONFIG MEMORY
Press CONFIG to reach the CONFIGURE MENU.

1 INTRODUCTION
0459 287 601 -5- © ESAB AB 2020
- CONFIGURE MENU 1 / 1 -
LANGUAGE
DIMENSIONS
PANEL ENABLE
TRIGGER DATA
ENGLISH
METRIC
ON
OFF
↓MAIN MENU NEXT
Press NEXT (i.e. the soft button on the right beneath the display) until the correct language is
shown in the display.
1.2 Control panel's working method
The control panel can be said to comprise two units: the primary memory and the welding
data memory.
1. Store 3. Welding data memory
2. Recall 4. Primary memory
In the primary memory, a complete set of welding data settings are created which can be
stored in the welding data memory.
When welding, it is always the content of the primary memory which controls the process. It
is therefore also possible to recall welding data settings from the welding data memory to the
primary memory.
Note that the primary memory always contains the most recently set welding data settings.
These can be recalled from the welding data memory or individually altered settings. In other
words, the primary memory is never empty or “reset”.
1.3 Control panel
1. Display
2. Knob for setting the voltage
3. Knob for setting the wire feed speed
and current
4. Soft keys, see further explanation
below
5. MENU button
Note! The functionality of all U6 control
panels are the same regardless of product
variant, i.e. even if the appearance is not
exactly like in the graphic to the left.

1 INTRODUCTION
0459 287 601 -6- © ESAB AB 2020
Soft keys
The functions of these keys (i.e. what each one does) change, depending on the sub-menu
shown in the display. The particular function for each button is shown by the text in the
bottom line of the display, corresponding to the buttons. (A white dot beside the text
indicates that the key is active.)
When the text in this manual advise you to press a key of this type , the intention is
that you should press the function key beneath the relevant display text.
MENU pushbutton
This key brings you to the SELECT MENU (see item <>) if you are in the main menu. If you
are in some other menu, it moves you back up one menu.
1.4 Symbols in the display
Back to the MAIN MENU
Move the cursor down to a new setting parameter.
Change the function in the selected line.
Increase the value.
Decrease the value.
1.5 Update of software
If this warning is shown in the display, it means that the power source doesn’t support this
function.
Contact an authorised ESAB service engineer to get an updated software.

1 INTRODUCTION
0459 287 601 -7- © ESAB AB 2020
RESTRICTED
FUNCTIONALITY !
PLEASE UPDATE
SOFTWARE !
↓MAIN MENU NEXT

2 MENUS
0459 287 601 -8- © ESAB AB 2020
2 MENUS
The control panel uses this menus: MAIN MENU,MEASURMENT MENU,SELECT MENU,
PROCESS MENU,SETTINGS MENU,CONFIGURATION MENU and MEMORY MENU. A
startup display is also shown when starting, with information on the type of panel and the
software version in use.
2.1 The main menu and the measurements menu
4 - STROK GRAT FILL HOT START NEXT
The MAIN MENU always appears immediately after starting, showing the values that are set.
If you are in the MAIN MENU when you start to weld, the menu changes automatically to
show the measured values (the measurements menu). The measured values remain on the
display even after welding stops.
Other menus can be accessed without losing the measured values.
It is only when a knob is turned or the welding method changed that the setting values are
displayed instead of the measured values.
2.2 Select menu
MIG / MAG
Fe ER70S
CO2
19,2 VOLT
SELECT MENU
0,8 MM

5.0 M/MIN
PROCESS SETTING CONFIG MEMORY
Use the SELECT MENU to select the next level of menu to which you want to go: PROCESS
MENU,SETTINGS MENU,CONFIGURE MENU or MEMORY MENU.
Process menu
- - PROCESS MENU 1 /2 - -
PROCESS
SYNERGIC
WIRE
GAS
MIG / MAG
ON
Fe ER70S
C0 2
↓MAIN MENU NEXT
Use the PROCESS MENU to change the welding process, material type etc.

2 MENUS
0459 287 601 -9- © ESAB AB 2020
Settings menu
- - SETTINGS MENU 1 / 2 - -
INDUCTANCE
GAS PREFLOW
HOTSTART TIME
CRATR FILL T.
80%
0.1 s
1.5 s
1.0 s
↓ MAIN MENU — +
Use the SETTINGS MENU to set welding parameters, such as gas pre-flow, hot start time,
crater fill time etc.
Configure menu
- CONFIGURE MENU 1 / 1 -
LANGUAGE
DIMENSIONS
PANEL ENABLE
TRIGGER DATA
ENGLISH
METRIC
ON
OFF
↓ MAIN MENU NEXT
Use the CONFIGURE MENU to change the language, measurements units etc.
Memory menu
1

EMPTY

STORE RECALL DELETE NEXT
Use the MEMORY MENU to store, recall and/or erase various stored welding data settings.
There are ten storage positions for welding data.

3 MIG/MAG WELDING
0459 287 601 - 10 - © ESAB AB 2020
3 MIG/MAG WELDING
The arc in MIG/MAG welding melts a filler wire (the electrode) that is continuously fed into
the weld, with the molten zone being protected by a shielding gas.
Pulsing the current affects the transfer of molten droplets from the wire, to produce a stable,
spatter-free arc even at low welding data.
3.1 Settings
MIG/MAG welding without pulsing
Settings Setting range In steps of Default setting
2/4-stroke 1) 2-stroke or 4-stroke - 2-stroke
Crater filling ON / OFF - OFF
Crater fill time 0 - 5 s 0.1 s 1.0 s
Hot start ON / OFF - OFF
Hot start time 0.0 - 10.0 s 0.1 s 1.5 s
Creep start ON / OFF - ON
Gas purging 1) ---
Cold wire feed ---
QSet ON / OFF - OFF
Synergy ON / OFF - ON2)
Display of amperage
estimate
ON / OFF - OFF
Inductance 0 - 100 1 -
Gas pre-flow 0.1 - 25 s 0.1 s 0.1 s
Burnback time 3) 0 - 0.35 s 0.01 s 0.08 s
SCT SYN / OFF / ON - SYN
Start parameter R 8.0 - 60.0 0.25 -
Gas post-flow 0-20s 1s 1s
Spot welding OFF / ON - OFF
Spot welding time 0.1 - 25 s 0.1 s 0.1 s
Voltage 8 - 60 0.25 (displayed with
one decimal)
synergy deviation ±0
Wire feed speed 0.8–25.0 m/min
(31–980in./min)
0.1 m/min (1in./min) 5 m/min (31in./min)
Trigger data SYN / OFF / ON - OFF
AVC feeder OFF / ON - OFF
1)These functions cannot be changed while welding is in progress.
2) The synergy line on delivery: solid wire (ER70S), shielding gas CO2with wire 0.8 mm.
3) The burnback time setting is only available when SCT is OFF. This will be the case if SCT
setting = OFF, or SCT setting = SYN and the chosen synergic line has SCT set to OFF.

3 MIG/MAG WELDING
0459 287 601 - 11 - © ESAB AB 2020
MIG/MAG welding with pulsing
Settings Setting range In steps of Default setting
2/4-stroke 1) 2-stroke or 4-stroke - 2-stroke
Crater filling OFF / ON - OFF
Crater fill time 0 - 5 s 0.1 s 1.0 s
Hot start OFF / ON - OFF
Hot start time 0.0 - 10.0 s 0.1 s 1.5 s
Creep start OFF / ON - ON
Gas purging
1)
---
Cold wire feed ---
Display of amperage
estimate
OFF / ON - OFF
Gas pre-flow 0.1 - 25 s 0.1 s 0.1 s
Burnback time
2)
0 - 0.35 s 0.01 s 0.08 s
SCT 3) SYN / OFF / ON - SYN
Gas post-flow 0-20s 1s 1s
Spot welding OFF / ON - OFF
Spot welding time 0.1 - 25 s 0.1 s 0.1 s
Voltage 8 - 60 0.25 (displayed with
one decimal)
synergy deviation ±0
Wire feed speed 0.8–25.0 m/min
(31–980in./min)
0.1 m/min (1in./min) 5 m/min (31in./min)
Trigger data ON / ARC / OFF / ON - OFF
AVC feeder OFF / ON - OFF
Pinch-off / final pulse
2)
0 - 100 % 1 %
1) These functions cannot be changed while welding is in progress.
2) Only possible to set if SCT is off.
3) The burnback time setting is only available when SCT is OFF. This will be the case if SCT
setting = OFF, or SCT setting = SYN and the chosen synergic line has SCT set to OFF.

3 MIG/MAG WELDING
0459 287 601 - 12 - © ESAB AB 2020
3.2 Function explanations
2 - Stroke
2-stroke operation of the welding torch switch button
A = Gas pre-flow B = Hot start C = Welding D = Crater fill E = Gas post-flow
In the 2-stroke control mode, pressing the welding torch trigger switch starts gas pre-flow (if
used) (1) and strikes the arc. Releasing the trigger switch (2) starts crater filling (if in
operation), extinguishes the arc and starts gas post-flow (if in operation).
TIP: If the welding torch trigger switch is pressed again during the crater fill time, welding can
be continued for as long as required (shown by the dotted line), using the crater fill data.
Crater filling can also be interrupted by quickly pressing and releasing the trigger switch while
crater filling is in progress.
- Activation of 2-stroke performed in the MAIN MENU.
4 - Stroke
Function when using 4-stroke control of the welding torch
A = Gas pre-flow B = Hot start C = Welding D = Crater fill E = Gas post-flow
In the 4-stroke control mode, pressing the welding torch trigger switch starts gas pre-flow
(1). Releasing the trigger switch (2) starts the welding process. At the end of welding, the
welder presses the trigger switch again (3), which starts crater filling (if in operation) and
reduces the welding data to a lower value. Releasing the trigger switch again (4)
extinguishes the arc and starts gas post-flow (if used).

3 MIG/MAG WELDING
0459 287 601 - 13 - © ESAB AB 2020
TIP: Crater filling stops when the trigger switch is released. Keeping the button pressed
continues welding at the lower data of the crater filling function (dotted line).
- Activation of 4-stroke performed in the MAIN MENU.
Crater filling
Crater filling helps to avoid pores, thermal cracking and crater formation in the workpiece at
the end of the weld.
- Setting of crater filling time performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Hot start
The hot start function increases the welding current for an adjustable time at the start of
welding, which reduces the risk of poor fusion at the start of the weld.
- Setting of hot start time performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Creep start
Creep start function feeds out the wire at 1.5 meters/minute until it makes electrical contact
with the workpiece.
- Activation of creep start performed in the MAIN MENU.
Gas purging
The gas purging function is used when measuring the gas flow rate, or to purge the gas
hoses of any air or moisture before starting to weld. It continues as long as the button is held
pressed, and prevents voltage from being applied and wire feed from starting.
- Activation of gas purging performed in the MAIN MENU.
Cold wire feed (Wire inching)
Cold wire feed is used in order to feed out wire without energising the arc. The wire is fed out
for as long as the button is held pressed.
- Activation of cold wire feed performed in the MAIN MENU.
QSet™
QSet™ function is used to facilitate setting welding parameters.
NOTE!
QSet™ function and Synergy function are mutually exclusive. If one is selected, the
other will be deselected. Both can be OFF.
• Turning the knob clockwise increases (+) the
arc length.
• Turning the knob anti-clockwise reduces (-)
the arc length.
SHORT ARC
When first starting welding with a wire type / gas type QSet™ automatically sets all the
necessary welding parameters. After that QSet™ stores all the data to produce a good weld.
The voltage then automatically conforms to changes in the wire feed speed.
SPRAY ARC
When approaching the spray arc area the value for QSet™ must be increased. Disengage
the QSet™ function when welding with pure spray arc. All settings are inherited from QSet™,
with the exception of the voltage which must be set.

3 MIG/MAG WELDING
0459 287 601 - 14 - © ESAB AB 2020
Recommendation: Make the first weld (6 seconds) with QSet™ on a test piece to obtain all
the correct data.
- Activation of QSet performed in the PROCESS MENU.
Synergy
Every combination of wire type, wire diameter and gas mixture requires a unique relationship
between wire feed speed and voltage (arc length) in order to ensure a stable arc. The
voltage (arc length) is automatically controlled in accordance with the preprogrammed
synergy line that has been selected by the welder, which makes it much easier to quickly find
the optimum welding parameters. The relationship between the wire feed speed and the
other parameters is referred to as the synergy characteristic or synergy line.
NOTE!
QSet™ function and Synergy function are mutually exclusive. If one is selected, the
other will be deselected. Both can be OFF.
Synergy ON: the MAIN MENU shows the set wire feed, as well as positive and negative
deviation from the synergy line's voltage.
Positive deviation is displayed with a bar above SYN, negative is displayed below.
Synergy OFF: the MAIN MENU shows the set value for voltage and wire feed.
- Activation of synergy performed in the PROCESS MENU.
Synergy line package
The synergy line package supplied with the machine is called “Standard synergic lines”.
It is also possible to order other packages of synergy lines, but these must be installed by an
authorised ESAB service engineer.
Display of amperage estimate
Given the chosen synergic line an amperage estimate is calculated using the current wire
feed speed. The setting is adjusted in the MAIN MENU, using soft key AMP.
The amperage estimate is displayed as a reference when the welder does not know what
wire feed speed to set. Depending on joint type and the stick out (contact tip to work piece
distance) that is used, there will be some deviation between amperage estimate and the
actual measured amperage. Large deviation might mean that stick out should be adjusted for
optimal weld results.
The amperage estimate is presented in the MAIN MENU when the wire feed speed or the
voltage is adjusted. The row showing wire feed speed in the display is replaced with
amperage estimate. During and after welding the welding current measure values are
displayed on the same row.

3 MIG/MAG WELDING
0459 287 601 - 15 - © ESAB AB 2020
Inductance
Higher inductance produces a more flowing weld and less spatter. Lower inductance
produces a harsher sound and a stable, concentrated arc.
- Setting of inductance performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Gas pre-flow
The gas pre-flow time is the time during which the shielding gas flows before the arc is
struck.
- Setting of gas pre-flow time performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Burnback time
The burnback time is a delay between when the wire feed unit starts to brake the wire until
the power unit shuts off the welding current. Too short a burnback time leaves a long piece of
filler wire projecting after welding has stopped, with resulting risk of the wire freezing into the
solidifying weld pool. On the other hand, too long a burnback time reduces the stickout to
such an extent that there is a risk of the arc striking from the welding torch contact tip when
welding is next started.
- Setting of burnback time performed in the SETTINGS MENU. The burnback time setting is
only available when SCT is OFF. This will be the case if SCT setting = 1, or SCT setting = 0
and the chosen synergic line has SCT set to OFF.
SCT
SCT is a function that gives small repeated short circuits at the end of the welding until the
wire feeding has totally stopped and the contact with the workpiece has been broken.
The following settings exist: SYN = The value (ON/OFF) is determined by the synergy line
(default option).
OFF = SCT is OFF
ON = SCT is ON
Do not use SCT with cored wire.
Start parameter R
Start parameter R enables finetuning of the electric arc during the start moment when
welding. The parameter can be set from 8.0 to 60.0, in steps of 0.25. Synergy must be OFF
for this parameter to be available (which means that the chosen method is Short Arc).
Gas post-flow
The gas post-flow function controls the time during which shielding gas continues to flow
after the arc has been extinguished.

3 MIG/MAG WELDING
0459 287 601 - 16 - © ESAB AB 2020
- Setting of gas post-flow time performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Changing trigger data
Using this function, it is possible to switch to various pre-set welding data alternatives by
double-clicking on the welding blowpipe's trigger.
Switching takes place between the memory positions 1, 2 and 3, see the “MEMORY
MANAGEMENT”. If there is no data in memory position 2, switching takes place instead
between positions 1 and 3.
ON - Switching between memory positions can take place before,after or during welding.
ARC OFF - Switching between memory positions can only take place before or after
welding.
OFF - Switching between memory positions can not be done using welding blowpipe's
trigger.
- Activation of trigger data switching performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
AVC feeder
When this function is activated it is possible to use an Arc Voltage Controlled or Off-The-Arc
feeder, where the arc voltage from the power source is used to power the feed unit.
- Activation of AVC feeder performed in the PROCESS MENU.
Spot welding
Select Spot welding when you want to spot-weld thin metal sheets.
- Activation and setting of Spot welding is performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Voltage
A higher voltage gives a longer arc, with a hotter and wider weld pool.
Irrespective of which menu is displayed, the setting value for the voltage can always be
changed. The value is displayed in the MAIN MENU or SELECT MENU.
Wire feed speed
The wire feed speed is the speed at which the filler wire is supplied, measured in m/min
(in./min).
Irrespective of which menu is displayed, the setting value for the wire feed speed can always
be changed. The value is displayed in the MAIN MENU or SELECT MENU.
Pinch-off / final pulse
Pinch-off pulse is a pulse that is applied to ensure that a ball is not formed on the wire when
welding stops. Applies to MIG/MAG welding with short/spray arc and short pulsing. When
pulsing, completion is synchronised with a pulse, finishing pulse, which can be set between
0% and 100%.

4 TIG WELDING
0459 287 601 - 17 - © ESAB AB 2020
4 TIG WELDING
4.1 Overview
TIG welding uses a non-melting tungsten electrode from which the arc is struck that melts
the workpiece. The molten weld pool and the tungsten electrode are protected by a shielding
gas.
Pulsing is used in order to give better control of the weld pool and solidification. The pulse
frequency is sufficiently low to allow some of the weld pool to start to solidify between each
pulse. Pulsing has four controllable parameters: pulse duration, background current time,
pulse current and background current.
4.2 Settings
TIG welding without pulsing
Settings Setting range In steps of Default setting
2/4-stroke 1) 2-stroke / 4-stroke - 2-stroke
HF / Liftarc HF / Liftarc - HF
Gas purging 1) ---
Gas pre-flow 0.0 - 5.0 s 0.1 s 0.5 s
Slope up time 0.0 - 5.0 s 0.1 s 0.0 s
Slope down time 0.0 - 10.0 s 0.1 s 2.0 s
Gas post-flow 0.0 - 25.0 s 0.1 s 5.0 s
Current 4 - 500 A 1 A 100 A
Remote min 0 - 99% 1% 0%
Trigger data OFF / ON / ARC OFF - OFF
Spot welding ON / OFF OFF
Spot Welding time 0.0 - 25.0 0.1 s
1) These functions cannot be changed while welding is in progress.
TIG welding with pulsing
Settings Setting range In steps of Default setting
2/4-stroke 1) 2-stroke / 4-stroke - 2-stroke
HF / Lifetic HF / Liftarc - HF
Gas purging
1)
Peak Pulse AMP 2) 4 - 500 A 1 A 100 A
Peak Pulse time 0.001 - 0.1 s
0.1 -1 s
0.001 s
0.1 s
0.200 s
Background AMP 2) 4 - 500 A 1 A 25 A
Background time 0.001 - 0.1 s
0.1 - 5 s
0.001 s
0.1 s
0.100 s
Gas pre-flow 0.0 - 5.0 s 0.1 s 0.5 s
Slope up time 0.0 - 5.0 s 0.1 s 0.0 s

4 TIG WELDING
0459 287 601 - 18 - © ESAB AB 2020
Settings Setting range In steps of Default setting
Slope down time 0.0 - 10.0 s 0.1 s 2.0 s
Gas post-flow 0.0 - 25.0 s 0.1 s 5.0 s
Trigger data OFF / ON / ARC OFF - OFF
Remote min 0 - 99% 1% 0%
Spot Welding time 3) 0.0 - 25.0 0.1 s
1) These functions cannot be changed while welding is in progress.
2) Maximal current depends on which machine type is used.
Live TIG
Settings Setting range In steps of Default setting
Current 2) 4 - 500 A 1 A 100 A
Remote min 0 - 99% 1% 0%
4.3 Function explanations
2-Stroke
2-stroke operation of the welding torch switch button.
A = Gas pre-flow B = Slope up C = Slope down D = Gas post-flow
In the 2-stroke control mode, pressing the welding torch switch button starts gas pre-flow (if
used) and strikes the arc (1). The current rises to the set value (as controlled by the slope up
function, if in operation). Releasing the switch button (2) reduces the current (or starts slope
down if in operation) and extinguishes the arc. Gas post-flow follows if it is in operation.
- Activation of 2-stroke performed in the MAIN MENU.
4-Stroke
4-stroke operation of the welding torch switch button.
A = Gas pre-flow B = Slope up C = Slope down D = Gas post-flow
4-stroke operation of the welding torch switch button.

4 TIG WELDING
0459 287 601 - 19 - © ESAB AB 2020
In the 4-stroke control mode, pressing the switch button starts gas pre-flow (if used) (1). At
the end of the gas pre-flow time, the current rises to the pilot level (a few amper), and the arc
is struck. Releasing the switch button (2) increases the current to the set value (with slope
up, if in use). At the end of welding, the welder presses the switch button again (3), which
reduces the current to pilot level again (with slope down, if in use). Releasing the switch
button again (4) extinguishes the arc and starts gas post-flow (if used).
- Activation of 4-stroke performed in the MAIN MENU.
HF
The HF function strikes the arc by a spark produced when the tungsten electrode is brought
to within a certain distance from the workpiece.
- Activation of HF performed in the PROCESS MENU.
LiftArc
The LiftArc function strikes the arc when the electrode is brought into contact with the
workpiece and then lifted away from it.
Striking the arc with the LiftArc™ function:
1. The electrode is touched on to the workpiece.
2. The trigger switch is pressed, and a low current starts to flow.
3. The welder lifts the electrode from the workpiece: the arc strikes, and the current rises
automatically to the set value.
Live TIG-start
With Live TIG-start the arc strikes when the tungsten electrode is brought into contact with
the workpiece and then lifted away from it.
- Activation of Live TIG-start performed in the PROCESS MENU.
Gas purging
Gas purging is used when measuring the gas flow or to flush any air or moisture from the gas
hoses before welding starts. Gas purging occurs for as long as the button is held depressed
and occurs without voltage or wire feed starting.

4 TIG WELDING
0459 287 601 - 20 - © ESAB AB 2020
- Gas purging performed in the MAIN MENU.
Gas pre-flow
This controls the time during which shielding gas flows before the arc is struck.
- Setting of gas pre-flow time performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Slope up
The slope up function means that, when the TIG arc strikes, the current rises slowly to the
set value. This provides a gentler heating of the electrode, and gives the welder a chance to
position the electrode properly before the set welding current is reached.
- The setting of slope up time performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Slope down
The slope down function in TIG welding is used to avoid the formation of crate cracking at
the end of welding. It reduces the current slowly over an adjustable period of time.
- The setting of slope down time performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Gas post-flow
This controls the time during which shielding gas flows after the arc is extinguished.
- Setting of gas post-flow time performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Peak pulse time
This is the length of time during which the pulse current is on during a pulse cycle.
- Setting of pulse duration time performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Background time
This is the length of time during which the background current flows. With the pulse duration
time, it gives the total pulse cycle time.
- Setting of background time performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Background AMP
This is the lower current value of the two currents used in pulsed current welding.
- Setting of background current performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Peak pulse AMP
This is the higher current value of the two currents used in pulsed current welding.
Irrespective of which menu is displayed, the setting value for the pulse current can always be
changed. The value is displayed in the MAIN MENU, the SELECT MENU or the SETTINGS
MENU.