BUG-O Systems Piper-Plus - Manual (Page 26)

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Prior to welding, the operator can position the machine and make adjustments if the pass
parameters allow it. The top row of switches is for positioning only. They do not have any function
while the machine is welding. The operator should position the torch using the adjustment switches
and steering. The operator can hold the oscillate switch to ensure it is in the proper place. If the
programmed pass is properly set up, they should not have to make many adjustments.
The machine must be stationary with no switches being held down before welding can begin. The
Live switch on the control box must be set to “Hot” or the machine will only dry run. When the start
button is pressed, the buttons on the control box display will be disabled, preventing direction
changes, height control settings, or pass selection. The adjustment controls on the pendant will also
be disabled. Pressing stop before the startup procedure is complete will cause an emergency stop.
The machine will check that the motors are all running and ready and that water is flowing (if a
water cooler is in use) before it will begin the welding startup procedures. It will pre-purge for
the time specified in pass settings and check that there is proper gas flow. It will then turn on the
welding contacts and run the wire in at its specified run in speed. It will continue at the run in speed
until it detects an arc. If it does not detect any current in about half of a second, the machine will
stop and display a notice in the status window.
When an arc is detected all of the startup parameters and timers will begin. All of the timers, such
as the weave delay and startup time, are independent and can be configured to occur in any
order. The machine is considered to be in the Welding state after the startup timer defined in the
weld settings has finished, even if the machine is not weaving or moving. The user can make
adjustments to the parameters while the machine is welding. It will continue welding until the Stop
button is pressed.
When Stop is pressed, the weaver and main drive will both stop. The weaver will center itself. The
wire speed, current, and voltage will all change to their Crater values. The machine will continue
welding in place at these settings until the crater timer finishes. It will then stop the wire feeder
and height axis, burn back for the specified time, turn off the arc, and raise the height axis a small
distance to keep the wire from getting caught in the weld crater puddle if the machine is driven
back to the bottom of the pipe. Welding is now complete and the machine is Idle again.
Arc Status Detection is a new feature in the Piper-Plus. The Piper-Plus knows exactly when the arc
is struck, and if the arc is having problems. If the Power Wave ® S350 reports that the arc is lost or
unstable for over 150ms, the Piper-Plus will stop the weld before it has a chance of causing defects.
This can be caused by welding with incorrect parameters, open roots with a gap too large for
automation, loose welding cables, broken sense leads, etc.
SECTION 6.0 WELDING OPERATION