Welding with a process control system that automatically determines changes in welding conditions and directs the equipment to take appropriate action. Variations of this term are adaptive control brazing, adaptive control soldering, adaptive control thermal cutting, and adaptive control thermal spraying. See STANDARD WELDING TERMS.
Adaptive (feedback) control systems are automatic welding systems which make corrections to welding variables based on information gathered during welding. The objective is to maintain weld quality at a constant level in the presence of changing welding conditions. Automatic adjustment of individual weld variables, such as arc current or arc length, is made by monitoring a weld characteristic, such as pool width. Other feedback control systems are available to provide electrode guidance and constant joint fill. See also AUTOMATIC WELDING, MANUAL WELDING, MECHANIZED WELDING, ROBOTIC WELDING, and SEMIAUTOMATIC WELDING.