Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method for evaluating one or more conditions or preliminary weld condition related to a welding system and/or method that utilizes a welding sequence to perform two or more welds with respective welding schedules. In an embodiment, an operator registration is provided that verifies the operator and identifies welding sequences to which the operator is authorized to perform. In another embodiment, one or more fixture locations are monitored to determine whether a workpiece is accurately configured prior to a welding operation. In still another embodiment, locations on a workpiece can be displayed to assist an operator in performing two or more welds utilizing a welding sequence. Moreover, a wireless system communications a data signal to a welding work cell in which such data is used to identify a welding sequence.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes an electrode head comprising an array of electrodes for depositing material to form a three-dimensional part. The array includes a first plurality of electrodes formed from a first metallic material having a first ductility and a first hardness, and a second plurality of electrodes formed from a second metallic material having a second ductility and a second hardness, wherein the first ductility is greater than the second ductility and the second hardness is greater than the first hardness. A power source provides electrical power for establishing a welding arc for each electrode. A drive roll system drives each electrode.

Abstract: A method of preventing arc flaring events for a welding system is provided. The method includes determining, by a controller, a real-time welding output characteristic of the welding system. The method additionally includes comparing, by the controller, the real-time welding output characteristic to a threshold welding output characteristic. The method further includes controlling an operating characteristic of the welding system in response to a determination that the real-time welding output characteristic exceeds the threshold welding output characteristic.

Abstract: A welding or additive manufacturing power supply includes output circuitry configured to generate a welding waveform, a current sensor for measuring a welding current generated by the output circuitry, a voltage sensor for measuring an output voltage of the welding waveform, and a controller operatively connected to the output circuitry to control the welding waveform, and operatively connected to the current sensor and the voltage sensor to monitor the welding current and the output voltage. A portion of welding waveform includes a controlled change in current from a first level to a second level different from the first level. The controller is configured to determine a circuit inductance from the output voltage and the controlled change in current, and further determine a change in resistance of a consumable electrode in real time based on the circuit inductance.

Abstract: A system and method of welding or additive manufacturing is provided where at least two welding electrodes are provided to and passed through a two separate orifices on a single contact tip and a welding waveform is provided to the electrodes through the contact tip to weld simultaneously with both electrodes, where a bridge droplet is formed between the electrodes and then transferred to the puddle.

Abstract: A mobile oxygen point of use apparatus includes a standalone and portable mounting panel having a first side and a second side and is configured to be portably relocated within a facility by at least one human operator. A first set of oxygen flow regulators are mounted on the first side of the mounting panel and have multiple first oxygen inputs and multiple first oxygen outputs. A second set of oxygen flow regulators are mounted on the second side of the mounting panel and have multiple second oxygen inputs and multiple second oxygen outputs. A low pressure oxygen input is mounted on the mounting panel and a single pipeline or hose is configured to be connected from the low pressure oxygen input to a source of oxygen. Distribution plumbing connects the low pressure oxygen input to the multiple first oxygen inputs and the multiple second oxygen inputs.

Abstract: A welding system includes a power supply configured to generate a welding waveform. A wire feeder conducts the welding waveform to a wire electrode, and includes a drive motor that drives the wire electrode bidirectionally, a motor current sensor that senses a current level of the motor, and a controller that receives a current level signal from the motor current sensor and controls operations of the motor. A welding current sensor senses welding current level, and a welding voltage sensor senses welding voltage level, and the sensors are located with the power supply or the wire feeder. The controller is configured to determine a contact event between the wire electrode and a non-workpiece object based on the current level signal from the motor current sensor and one or both of the welding current level and the welding voltage level, and automatically retract the wire electrode upon determining the contact event.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods in pulsed arc welding. A robotic welding system, having a welding torch with a contact tip, is configured to perform the following method: (a) generate and output a series of a determined number of welding output pulses as a welding wire electrode is fed toward a workpiece; (b) stop generating welding output pulses while allowing the welding wire electrode to continue to be fed toward the workpiece in an attempt to electrically short to the workpiece; (c) attempt to confirm that the welding wire electrode has electrically shorted to the workpiece within a determined error time period; and (d) repeat steps (a) through (c) if electrical shorting of the welding wire electrode has been confirmed within the determined error time period, else, shut down the robotic welding system to avoid damaging the welding torch.

Abstract: A robotic electric arc welding system includes a welding torch, a welding robot configured to manipulate the welding torch during a welding operation, a robot controller operatively connected to the welding robot to control weaving movements of the welding torch along a weld seam and at a weave frequency and weave period, and a welding power supply operatively connected to the welding torch to control a welding waveform, and operatively connected to the robot controller for communication therewith. The welding power supply is configured to sample a plurality of weld parameters during a sampling period of the welding operation and form an analysis packet, and process the analysis packet to generate a weld quality score, wherein the welding power supply obtains the weave frequency or the weave period and automatically adjusts the sampling period for forming the analysis packet based on the weave frequency or the weave period.

Abstract: A welding machine includes a welding power supply that generates a welding waveform during a welding operation, an internal combustion engine, and a generator that is operatively connected to the welding power supply to supply electrical energy to the welding power supply. The generator includes a rotor shaft driven by the internal combustion engine, and an end casting located at an end of the generator opposite the internal combustion engine. A rotary screw compressor is mounted to the end casting of the generator. A clutch mechanism couples the rotor shaft to the rotary screw compressor to selectively drive the rotary screw compressor by the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch includes a nozzle body, a nozzle extending from the nozzle body, and a shield cap. An outer retaining cap is attached to the plasma arc torch and secures the shield cap to the plasma arc torch. A sleeve is located radially outward from the outer retaining cap and is configured to receive a flow of pressurized gas. An insulator is located between the outer retaining cap and the sleeve. At least one of the sleeve and the insulator forms a gas flow channel configured to direct a gas flow from the sleeve to a distal portion of the outer retaining cap.

Abstract: A welding helmet can record a welding time based on an arc intensity detected by a sensor mounted on the helmet. A configured level is compared with the arc intensity detected by the sensor to determine a welding duration. Individual welding times from multiple welding instances can be accumulated over a period of time to provide a total welding time for an operator. The total welding time may be stored in the welding helmet.

Abstract: A combination pressure regulator includes a regulator body having an inlet port, an outlet port, and a combined inlet and outlet port. A first pressure regulator includes a first diaphragm, a first valve assembly, and a first biasing member that applies a first bias force to the first diaphragm to establish a first pressure regulator setting. A second pressure regulator includes a second diaphragm, a second valve assembly, and a second biasing member that applies a second bias force to the second diaphragm to establish a second pressure regulator setting. An input portion of the first pressure regulator is in fluid communication with the inlet port. An output portion of the second pressure regulator is in fluid communication with the outlet port. An output portion of the first pressure regulator and an input portion of the second pressure regulator are in fluid communication with the combined inlet and outlet port.

Abstract: Provided is an electric arc generation system comprising a robot, an electric arc torch attached to the robot, a power supply configured to provide an electrical power output to the torch, and a user interface for adjusting a plurality of power supply parameters. The user interface comprises a display. The system includes a processor configured to receive respective settings of the plurality of power supply parameters, and configured to analyze the settings of the plurality of power supply parameters and control the display to display a pictograph warning associated with a current parameter setting, based on a result of analyzing the settings of the plurality of power supply parameters. Said pictograph warning graphically indicates an adjustment direction for the current parameter setting. The processor is configured to automatically adjust one or more of the settings of the plurality of power supply parameters based on a predetermined operating angle of the torch.

Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to coatings, and more particularly to metallic alloy coatings for rotors having nanocrystalline grains. In one aspect, a brake rotor comprises a disc-shaped friction area and a coating having a metallic alloy composition formed on the friction area to form a friction surface configured to contact a brake pad. The metallic alloy composition comprises Fe, Cr, B, C, Mn, Si and Mo as alloying elements that are present at concentrations exceeding impurity concentrations, and wherein the coating comprises nanocrystalline grains having an average grain size less than 100 nm.