Cleaner Stainless Welds—Myth or Reality? Discover the Technology Behind the Difference

Posted by OTC DAIHEN on November 19, 2025

Delivering an industry leading 20nsec response time, that is 50 million arc adjustments every second of the weld! 4X faster response than our nearest competitor! (6)


Setting a Higher Standard for Stainless Welding

Stainless steel isn’t your average job. Whether you're working on food-grade enclosures, architectural panels, or precision fabricated assemblies, the expectations go beyond “it holds together.” You face three big pressures:

  • Finish: On visible stainless surfaces, spatter, grind marks, or uneven beads show.
  • Corrosion resistance & cleanliness: Spatter or contamination compromises the stainless finish or downstream treatments.
  • Efficiency: Every minute spent cleaning up spatter, reworking, or dealing with defects adds cost—and erodes your margin.

At OTC DAIHEN, we’ve engineered solutions specifically targeted to those pressures: the combination of Low-Spatter Mode and DC Pulse/WavePulse control. The result — superior stainless welds with less cleanup, more consistency, and better overall productivity.

Core Technologies Behind Cleaner Welds

Low-Spatter Mode: Precision Transfer Control

Low Spatter 5

Built into our Welbee series power sources, Low-Spatter Mode applies advanced waveform management through Controlled Bridge Transfer (CBT-EX). This refined current and voltage control dramatically reduces spatter generation — even in demanding conditions.

Key advantages include:

  • Up to 80% spatter reduction at 200 A (CO₂)
  • Flatter, more uniform beads for better appearance and penetration
  • Improved arc stability even with variable stick-out or fit-up conditions

The result is less grinding, fewer surface defects, and cleaner weld zones ready for finishing.

DC Pulse and Wave Pulse: Advanced Arc and Heat Control

Wave Pulse 1

Complementing Low-Spatter Mode, DC Pulse/Wave Pulse technology manages droplet transfer and heat input at a micro-level. By pulsing current in controlled intervals, it ensures precise droplet detachment and a stable, focused arc.

For stainless applications, this means:

  • Consistent droplet transfer with minimal spatter
  • Better control of heat input to reduce distortion
  • Clean, aesthetically refined welds with reduced discoloration

When combined, these two technologies deliver the stability, quality, and efficiency stainless fabricators demand.

Proven Impact in Real-World Applications

In production environments — from stainless hoods to sanitary assemblies — pairing Low-Spatter Mode with Pulse/Wave Pulse delivers immediate benefits:

  • Spatter adhesion on surrounding surfaces is greatly reduced
  • Welds show consistent bead shape and smooth finish
  • Cleanup time and post-weld processing are minimized
  • Production throughput and repeatability increase

Each improvement compounds into measurable savings in time, labor, and consumables, enhancing overall equipment efficiency.

Performance Advantages Beyond the Arc

Many welding systems address either spatter reduction or pulse control in isolation. OTC DAIHEN integrates both within one adaptive control system to optimize the entire weld cycle.

Distinct advantages include:

  • Process stability: The waveform automatically adjusts to maintain consistent droplet transfer even under varying conditions.
  • Reduced maintenance: Lower spatter means cleaner nozzles, fewer tip replacements, and less downtime.
  • Automation-ready design: Ideal for robotic or semi-automated stainless applications, with fewer spatter-related stoppages and minimal part protection required.
  • Distortion control: Improved heat regulation minimizes warping in thin-gauge stainless components.

In short, this isn’t just spatter control — it’s process improvement at every level.

Recommended Setup and Best Practices

To achieve the full benefit of Low-Spatter and DC Pulse welding on stainless:

  • Wire and gas: Select the correct filler (ER308, ER309, ER316, etc.) and shielding gas (100% Ar or Ar-based mix).
  • Machine settings: Enable Low-Spatter Mode (CBT-EX) and activate Pulse or Wave Pulse where available.
  • Consistency: Maintain proper stick-out, travel angle, and joint cleanliness.
  • Parameter optimization: Fine-tune pulse settings (base current, peak current, and frequency) to match material and thickness.
  • Process documentation: Use built-in data logging and job memory on the Welbee II series to record successful setups and ensure repeatable results.

Following these practices ensures consistent quality while maximizing the return on advanced waveform technology.

Raising the Bar for Stainless Welding

In stainless fabrication, appearance, precision, and efficiency are inseparable.

OTC DAIHEN’s Low-Spatter and DC Pulse technology empowers fabricators to achieve cleaner welds, lower post-process effort, and higher consistency across every operation.

From manual workstations to fully automated robotic lines, these innovations in the Welbee II series represent more than process control — they represent progress.

Topics: Robotic Welding, Manual Welding, Customer Success, Manufacturing Systems

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