Accu-Pulse™ (MTE) - MIG process that delivers precise control of the arc even over tack welds and in tight corners. Provides optimum and precise molten puddle control.

Accu-Rated™ Power (MTE) - The standard for measuring engine-driven generator power. Guarantees delivery of all power promised.

Active Arc Stabilizer™ (MTE) - Enhances arc starts and provides a softer arc throughout all ranges, with less puddle turbulence and less spatter.   « View Video »

Adaptive Hot Start™ (MTE) - Automatically increases the output amperage at the start of a Stick weld, should the start require it. Helps eliminate sticking of the electrode at arc start.

Advanced Active Field Control Technology™ (MTE) - A simple and reliable patented way of accurately controlling an engine drive's generator weld output.

Air Carbon Arc Cutting (CAC-A) - A cutting process by which metals are melted by the heat of an arc using a carbon electrode. Molten metal is forced away from the cut by a blast of forced air.

Alternating Current (AC) - An electrical current that reverses its direction at regular intervals, such as 60 cycles alternating current (AC), or 60 hertz.

Aluminum Pulse Hot Start™ (MTE) - Automatically provides more arc power to the Millermatic® 350P to eliminate a "cold start" that is inherent with aluminum starts.

Amperage - The measurement of the amount of electricity flowing past a given point in a conductor per second. Current is another name for amperage.

Arc - The physical gap between the end of the electrode and the base metal. The physical gap causes heat due to resistance of current flow and arc rays.

Arc-Drive (MTE) - Automatically enhances Stick welding, especially on pipe, by focusing the arc and preventing the electrode from going out.

Auto-Line™ (MTE) - Allows for any primary input voltage within a range, single- or three-phase, 50 or 60 Hz. Also adjusts for voltage spikes within the entire range.   « Learn More »

Auto-Link® (MTE) - Internal inverter power source circuit that automatically links the power source to the primary voltage being applied (230 V or 460 V), without the need for manually linking primary voltage terminals.   « View Video »

Automatic Start at Idle (MTE) - Idles engine immediately when started, extending engine life and reducing fuel consumption and noise.

Automatic Welding - Uses equipment which welds without the constant adjusting of controls by the welder or operator. Equipment controls joint alignment by using an automatic sensing device.

Auto-Refire™ (MTE) - Automatically controls the pilot arc when cutting expanded metal or multiple pieces of metal, without manual re-triggering.

Auto Remote Sense™ (MTE) - Automatically switches machine from panel to remote control with remote connected. Available on Dimension™ NT 450, XMT® 350, Trailblazer® Series, and PRO 300. Eliminates confusion and need for panel/remote switch.

Auto Stop™ (MTE) - Allows a TIG arc to be stopped without the loss of shielding gas on Trailblazer® Series.

Axcess™ File Management (MTE) - Software that turns a standard Palm handheld into a data card and a remote pendant for all Axcess systems. Allows e-mailing, storage, and transfer of welding programs.

C
Constant Current (CC) Welding Machine - These welding machines have limited maximum short circuit current. They have a negative volt-amp curve and are often referred to as "droopers".

Constant-Speed Wire Feeder - Feeder operates from 24 or 115 VAC supplied by the welding power source.

Constant Voltage (CV), Constant Potential (CP) Welding Machine - This type of welding machine output maintains a relatively stable, consistent voltage regardless of the amperage output. It results in a relatively flat volt-amp curve.

Cool-On-Demand™ (MTE) - Integrated cooler runs only when needed on Syncrowave® 250 DX and 350 LX.

Current - Another name for amperage. The amount of electricity flowing past a point in a conductor every second.

D
Defect - One or more discontinuities that cause a testing failure in a weld.

Dig - Also called Arc Control. Gives a power source variable additional amperage during low voltage (short arc length) conditions while welding. Helps avoid “sticking” stick electrodes when a short arc length is used.

Direct Current (DC) - Flows in one direction and does not reverse its direction of flow as does alternating current.

Direct Current Electrode Negative (DCEN) - The direction of current flow through a welding circuit when the electrode lead is connected to the negative terminal and the work lead is connected to the positive terminal of a DC welding machine. Also called direct current, straight polarity (DCSP).

Direct Current Electrode Positive (DCEP) - The direction of current flow through a welding circuit when the electrode lead is connected to a positive terminal and the work lead is connected to a negative terminal to a DC welding machine. Also called direct current, reverse polarity (DCRP).

Dual Power Option™ (MTE) - Gives the option on the PipePro™ 304 engine drive to use 230 volt single- or three-phase electric input power, eliminating engine wear, noise and emissions, as well as fuel costs.

Duty Cycle - The number of minutes out of a 10-minute time period an arc welding machine can be operated at maximum rated output. An example would be 60% duty cycle at 300 amps. This would mean that at 300 amps the welding machine can be used for 6 minutes and then must be allowed to cool with the fan motor running for 4 minutes.

E

Engine Save Start™ (MTE) - Idles engine 3 - 4 seconds after starting on Trailblazer® 275 DC and 302. Extends engine life and reduces fuel consumption.

F
Fan-On-Demand™ (MTE) - Internal power source cooling system that only works when needed, keeping internal components cleaner.   « View Video »

FasTip™ Contact Tip (MTE) - Patented, single-turn for quick change - no tools needed!.

Fixed Automation - Automated, electronically controlled welding system for simple, straight or circular welds.

Flexible Automation - Automated, robotically controlled welding system for complex shapes and applications where welding paths require torch-angle manipulation.

Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) - An arc welding process which melts and joins metals by heating them with an arc between a continuous, consumable electrode wire and the work. Shielding is obtained from a flux contained within the electrode core. Added shielding may or may not be provided from externally supplied gas or gas mixture.

G
Ground Connection - A safety connection from a welding machine frame to the earth. See Workpiece Connection for the difference between work connection and ground connection.

Ground Lead - When referring to the connection from the welding machine to the work, see preferred term Workpiece Lead.

Gun-On-Demand™ (MTE) - Allows you to use either a standard gun or a Spoolmatic® gun on Millermatic® 210, 251, and 350 without flipping a switch. The machine senses which gun you are using when you pull the trigger.   « View Video »

H
Hertz - Hertz is often referred to as "cycles per second". In the United States, the frequency or directional change of alternating current is usually 60 hertz.

High Frequency - Covers the entire frequency spectrum above 50,000 Hz. Used in TIG welding for arc ignition and stabilization.

Hot Start™ (MTE) - Used on some Stick (SMAW) machines to make it easier to start difficult-to-start electrodes. Used for arc starting only.

I
Inverter - Power source which increases the frequency of the incoming primary power, thus providing for a smaller size machine and improved electrical characteristics for welding, such as faster response time and more control for pulse welding.

K
KVA (Kilovolt-amperes) - Kilovolt-amperes. The total volts times amps divided by 1,000, demanded by a welding power source from the primary power furnished by the utility company.

KW (Kilowatts) - Primary KW is the actual power used by the power source when it is producing its rated output. Secondary KW is the actual power output of the welding power source. Kilowatts are found by taking volts times amps divided by 1,000 and taking into account any power factor.

L
Lift-Arc™ (MTE) - This feature allows TIG arc starting without high frequency. Starts the arc at any amperage without contaminating the weld with tungsten.   « View Video »

Low OCV Stick™ (MTE) - Reduces OCV on several Maxstar® and Dynasty® models when power source is not in use eliminating need for add-on voltage reducers.

LVC™ (Line Voltage Compensation) (MTE) - Keeps the output of a power source constant, regardless of minor fluctuations in input power.   « View Video »

M
Microprocessor - One or more integrated circuits that can be programmed with stored instructions to perform a variety of functions.

MIG (GMAW or Gas Metal Arc Welding) - An arc welding process which joins metals by heating them with an arc. The arc is between a continuously fed filler metal (consumable) electrode and the workpiece. Externally supplied gas or gas mixtures provide shielding. Common MIG welding is also referred to as short circuit transfer. Metal is deposited only when the wire actually touches the work. No metal is transferred across the arc. Another method of MIG welding, spray transfer moves a stream of tiny molten droplets across the arc from the electrode to the weld puddle. Consumables: contact tips, shielding gas, welding wire.

MVP™ (Multi-Voltage Plug) (MTE) - Allows connection of Millermatic® DVI™ or Passport™ to 115- or 230-volt receptacles without tools - just choose the plug that fits the receptacles without tools - just choose the plug that fits the receptacle.

O
Open-Circuit Voltage (OCV) - As the name implies, no current is flowing in the circuit because the circuit is open. The voltage is impressed upon the circuit, however, so that when the circuit is completed, the current will flow immediately.

P
Palm™ OS Compatibility - Replaces the need for data cards and remote control pendants on Axcess models.

PD (Precision Drive) - Wire drive assembly to push difficult wires on the 75 Series wire feeder. Wire guides, drive rolls, and pressure applicator maintain a supportive structure along the entire path of the wire for smooth feeding.

Plasma Arc Cutting - An arc cutting process which severs metal by using a constricted arc to melt a small area of the work. This process can cut all metals that conduct electricity.

Pounds Per Square Inch (psi) - A measurement equal to a mass or weight applied to one square inch of surface area.

Power Efficiency - How well an electrical machine uses the incoming electrical power.

Power Factor Correction - Normally used on single-phase, constant current power sources, to reduce the amount of primary amperage demanded from the power company while welding.

Primary Power - Often referred to as the input line voltage and amperage available to the welding machine from the shop's main power line. Often expressed in watts or kilowatts (KW), primary input power is AC and may be single-phase or three-phase.

Pulsed MIG (MIG-P) - A modified spray transfer process that produces no spatter because the wire does not touch the weld puddle. Applications best suited for pulsed MIG are those currently using the short circuit transfer method for welding steel, 14 gauge (1.8 mm) and up.

Pulsed TIG (TIG-P) - A modified TIG process appropriate for welding thinner materials.

Pulsing - Sequencing and controlling the amount of current, the frequency, and the duration of the welding arc.

R
Rated Load - The amperage and voltage the power source is designed to produce for a given specific duty cycle period. For example, 300 amps, 32 load volts, at 60% duty cycle.

Regulated Metal Deposition (RMD) (MTE) - Precisely controlled short-circuit transfer technology, available as an option on Axcess™ models. For spatter reduction, up to 20% reduced heat input, or filling gaps.

Resistance Spot Welding (RSW) - A process in which two pieces of metal are joined by passing current between electrodes positioned on opposite sides of the pieces to be welded. There is no arc with this process.

RMS (Root Mean Square) - The "effective" values of measured AC voltage or amperage. RMS equals 0.707 times the maximum, or peak value.

S
Semiautomatic Welding - The equipment controls only the electrode wire feeding. The welding gun movement is controlled by hand.

SharpArc® (MTE) - Optimizes the size and shape of the arc cone, bead width and appearance, and puddle fluidity. Available on the Millermatic® 350/350P.

Shielding Gas - Protective gas used to prevent atmospheric contamination of the weld pool.

Single-Phase Circuit - An electrical circuit producing only one alternating cycle within a 360 degree time span.

Smart Fuel Tank (MTE) - Tank's design minimizes chance of fuel backflow.

Spatter - The metal particles blown away from the welding arc. These particles do not become part of the completed weld.

Spot Welding - Usually made on materials having some type of overlapping joint design. Can refer to resistance, MIG or TIG spot welding. Resistance spot welds are made from electrodes on both sides of the joint, while TIG and MIG spots are made from one side only.

Squarewave™ - The AC output of a power source that has the ability to rapidly switch between the positive and negative half cycles of alternating current.   « View Video »

Stick Welding (SMAW or Shielded Metal Arc) - An arc welding process which melts and joins metals by heating them with an arc, between a covered metal electrode and the work. Shielding gas is obtained from the electrode outer coating, often called flux. Filler metal is primarily obtained from the electrode core.

Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) - A process by which metals are joined by an arc or arcs between a bare metal electrode or electrodes and the work. Shielding is supplied by a granular, fusible material usually brought to the work from a flux hopper.

SunVision™ (MTE) - Allows easy reading of digital meters in direct sunlight or shade on Trailblazer 275 DC and 302.

SureStart™ (MTE) - Provides consistent Axcess™ arc starts by precisely controlling power levels for specific wire and gas combinations.

Syncro Start™ (MTE) - Allows selectable customized arc starts on Syncrowave® 200, 250 DX and 350 LX.

T
Three-Phase Circuit - An electrical circuit delivering three cycles within a 360 degree time span, and the cycles are 120 electrical degrees apart.

TIG Welding (GTAW or Gas Tungsten Arc) - Often called TIG welding (Tungsten Inert Gas), this welding process joins metals by heating them with a tungsten electrode which should not become part of the completed weld. Filler metal is sometimes used and argon inert gas or inert gas mixtures are used for shielding.

Tip Saver Short Circuit Protection™ (MTE) - Shuts down output when the MIG contact tip is shorted to the work, on the Millermatic® 135 and 175. Extends contact tip life and protects machine.

Trigger Reset - Permits quick reset at gun rather than at machine.

Torch - A device used in the TIG (GTAW) process to control the position of the electrode, to transfer current to the arc, and to direct the flow of the shielding gas.

Torch Detection™ (MTE) - Syncrowave® 250 DX and 350 LX detect if TIG torch is water- or air-cooled.

Touch Start - A low-voltage, low-amperage arc starting procedure for TIG (GTAW). The tungsten is touched to the workpiece; when the tungsten is lifted from the workpiece an arc is established.

Tri-Cor™ Technology (MTE) - Stabilizer design on the Bobcat 250 that delivers smoother welds and decreased spatter with E7018 electrodes, without sacrificing performance with E6010 electrodes.

Tungsten - Rare metallic element with extremely high melting point (3410^o Celsius). Used in manufacturing TIG electrodes.

V
Voltage - The pressure or force that pushes the electrons through a conductor. Voltage does not flow, but causes amperage or current to flow. Voltage is sometimes termed electromotive force (EMF) or difference in potential.

Voltage-Sensing Wire Feeder - Feeder operates from arc voltage generated by welding power source.

Volt-Amp Curve - Graph that shows the output characteristics of a welding power source. Shows voltage and amperage capabilities of a specific machine.

W
WaveWriter™ File Management (MTE) - Includes all Axcess™ File Management functions, plus a simple, graphical wave-shaping program for the most demanding pulsed MIG applications.

Weld at Idle™ (MTE) - Allows PipePro™ 304 to automatically weld at a quieter, lower RPM, using less fuel. When more output is required, he machine goes to high speed without a change in arc.

Weld Metal - The electrode and base metal that was melted while welding was taking place. This forms the welding bead.

Weld Transfer - Method by which metal is transferred from the wire to the molten puddle.

Wind Tunnel Technology™ (MTE) - Internal air flow on many Miller inverters, that protects electrical components and PC boards from contamination, significantly improving reliability.   « View Video »

Wire Feed Speed - Expressed in in/min or mm/s, and refers to the speed and amount of filler metal fed into a weld. Generally speaking the higher the wire feed speed, the higher the amperage.

Workpiece Connection - A means to fasten the work lead (work cable) to the work (metal to be welded on). Also, the point at which this connection is made. One type of work connection is made with an adjustable clamp.

Workpiece Lead - The conductor cable or electrical conductor between the arc welding machine and the work.