Systems and methods for automated cleaning of wire electrodes after welding

A method for wire cleaning after a welding process has finished, comprising:

• detecting an end of the welding process using control circuitry;
• in response to detecting the end of the welding process, feeding a welding wire forward toward a workpiece;
• detecting a contact between the welding wire and the workpiece using the control circuitry of the welding-type power supply;
• in response to detecting the contact between the welding wire and the workpiece, continuing feeding of the welding wire forward towards the workpiece for a first time period or first distance, or stopping feeding of the welding wire forward towards the workpiece for the first time period;
• and
• in response to expiration of the first time period or first distance, retracting the welding wire.

A welding-type system, comprising:

• a wire feeder configured to feed welding wire forward from the wire feeder or retract welding wire into the wire feeder;
• a welding torch configured provide the welding wire with power to establish an electrical arc between the welding wire and workpiece;
• a welding-type power supply configured to provide the power to the welding torch;
• and
• control circuitry configured to:
• detect an end of a welding process,
• in response to detecting the end of the welding process, output a signal to the wire feeder to feed the welding wire forward,
• detect a contact between the welding wire and the workpiece,
• in response to detecting the contact, output a signal to the wire feeder to feed the welding wire forward for a first time period or first distance, or output a signal to the wire feeder to stop feeding the welding wire forward for the first time period, and
• in response to the first time period or first distance expiring, retract the welding wire.