are there benifits of higher frequency in arc welding?

High frequency is a burst of high voltage/low amperage that aids in arc starts when not using scratch/lift start to begin the welding process. Materials that are sensitive to tungsten impurities could possibly become contaminated when using scratch/lift start. High frequency takes the possibility of contamination out of the picture if the tungsten is prepared properly. When high frequency is generated in the welding operation, the high voltage ionizes the shielding gas which provides an excellent path for current to follow to the workpiece. In doing so, the path promotes the flow of electrons between the tungsten and workpiece allowing the arc to "jump the gap" between the two. In DC mode, there is a relatively short burst of HF during this process, and once the arc is established the HF extinguishes.

High frequency also aids in AC welding. Before inverter technology, high frequency assisted the welding operation during the cycle by introducing a high frequency/high voltage into the secondary welding circuit of the power source. When using AC current, the wave shifts from positive to negative (duh). Older machines run at 60 Hz in and 60 Hz out which means the wave will start, follow the path and peak up to the positive end, head back down and peak on the negative end and return to 0, 60 times in one second. With these machines specifically, the arc would cross the the halfway point and when it did, it had a tendency to "go out." HF simply serves to "re-ignite" the arc when crossing this barrier assuring a continuos welding operation.

Newer inverter machines use technology from the aviation industry to take the 60 Hz input power supply (commonly found in the US) and boost it to over 16,000 Hz. In doing so you have increased arc stability (the arc doesn't want to "go out" during AC welding). It also provides the operator with a number of options to change wave form and specific AC welding parameters dependent upon the machine and its capabilities.

So to answer the OP's question, HF does have a positive impact when used with the welding process, whether it's used for arc starting or arc stabilizing characteristics. I'm not sure how the machine you linked uses it, but I wanted to give you a brief explanation on what it does, how it works and why it's beneficial.

Scott

Since the thread titles asks specifically about high frequency related to arc welding, the answer is yes there are benefits between the two.High frequency is a burst of high voltage/low amperage that aids in arc starts when not using scratch/lift start to begin the welding process. Materials that are sensitive to tungsten impurities could possibly become contaminated when using scratch/lift start. High frequency takes the possibility of contamination out of the picture if the tungsten is prepared properly. When high frequency is generated in the welding operation, the high voltage ionizes the shielding gas which provides an excellent path for current to follow to the workpiece. In doing so, the path promotes the flow of electrons between the tungsten and workpiece allowing the arc to "jump the gap" between the two. In DC mode, there is a relatively short burst of HF during this process, and once the arc is established the HF extinguishes.High frequency also aids in AC welding. Before inverter technology, high frequency assisted the welding operation during the cycle by introducing a high frequency/high voltage into the secondary welding circuit of the power source. When using AC current, the wave shifts from positive to negative (duh). Older machines run at 60 Hz in and 60 Hz out which means the wave will start, follow the path and peak up to the positive end, head back down and peak on the negative end and return to 0, 60 times in one second. With these machines specifically, the arc would cross the the halfway point and when it did, it had a tendency to "go out." HF simply serves to "re-ignite" the arc when crossing this barrier assuring a continuos welding operation.Newer inverter machines use technology from the aviation industry to take the 60 Hz input power supply (commonly found in the US) and boost it to over 16,000 Hz. In doing so you have increased arc stability (the arc doesn't want to "go out" during AC welding). It also provides the operator with a number of options to change wave form and specific AC welding parameters dependent upon the machine and its capabilities.So to answer the OP's question, HF does have a positive impact when used with the welding process, whether it's used for arc starting or arc stabilizing characteristics.I'm not sure how the machine you linked uses it, but I wanted to give you a brief explanation on what it does, how it works and why it's beneficial.Scott