System and methods providing modulation schemes for achieving a weld bead appearance

An arc welding power source for generating an arc between a consumable welding electrode and a welding workpiece, the power source comprising:

• a switching power supply;
• a waveform generator;
• and
• a controller operatively connected to the waveform generator and the switching power supply,
• wherein the controller, the waveform generator, and the switching power supply are configured to generate a welding output current that cycles between a short arc welding process and a pulse welding process at a modulation frequency to affect an appearance of a deposited weld bead from a consumable welding electrode onto a workpiece.

An arc welding system for generating an arc between a consumable welding electrode and a welding workpiece, the system comprising:

• a power source configured to provide a cyclical welding output current to generate an arc between a consumable welding electrode and a welding workpiece;
• a wire feeder operatively connected to the power source and configured to feed the consumable welding electrode at a wire feed speed;
• and
• a welding tool operatively connected to the wire feeder to accept the consumable welding electrode and direct the consumable welding electrode toward the welding workpiece,
• wherein the power source is configured to command modulation of the wire feed speed and at least a portion of the cyclical welding output current in a synergistic manner based on a selected travel speed of the welding tool to affect an appearance of a deposited weld bead from the consumable welding electrode onto the workpiece.