Abstract: A welding system is provided which utilizes a short arc welding method in which the waveforms have a positive polarity portion and negative portion to optimize heat input and provide heat and current control.

Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to welding, and more particularly to welding multi-layered structures. In an aspect, a method of welding multi-layered metallic workpieces comprises providing a pair of multi-layered workpieces. Each of the workpieces has a base layer and an cladding layer, where the cladding layer comprises a corrosion resistant element adapted to suppress corrosion in a ferrous alloy. The method additionally comprises forming a root pass weld bead to join cladding layers of the workpieces using a first filler wire comprising the corrosion resistant element and focusing a first laser beam on the cladding layers. The method additionally comprises forming one or more weld beads to join base layers of the workpieces by resistively heating a second filler wire and directing a second laser beam over the root pass weld bead.

Abstract: A virtual welding station includes a virtual sequencer for simulating different welding techniques and non-welding operations. The virtual welding station can be used to train an operator on the production of complete assemblies.

Abstract: Embodiments of additive manufacturing systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, an additive manufacturing system includes an array of multiple electrodes for sequentially depositing material layer-by-layer to form a three-dimensional (3D) part. The system includes a power source to provide electrical power for establishing a welding arc for each electrode. The system includes a drive roll to drive each electrode. The system also includes a controller to operate the system at a first deposition rate to form first resolution contour portions of a layer of the part. The controller also operates the system at a second deposition rate to form second resolution fill portions of the layer of the part. The system provides variable width deposition at the second deposition rate using a variable number of the electrodes. The first deposition rate is lower than the second deposition rate, and the first resolution is higher than the second resolution.

Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method for collecting one or more welding parameters in real time during creation of one or more welds using a welding sequence. The one or more welding parameters can be associated with a particular welding sequence. Moreover, based on the one or more welding parameters collected, a modeled welding parameter can be generated to increase quality, efficiency, and the like. A collection component collects real time welding parameter data from which a quality manager component creates a modeled welding parameter. The modeled welding parameter can be employed for the welding sequence to monitor or track the welding parameter during a subsequent weld.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for supporting predictive and preventative maintenance are disclosed. One embodiment includes manufacturing cells within a manufacturing environment, where each manufacturing cell includes a cell controller and welding equipment, cutting equipment, and/or additive manufacturing equipment. A communication network supports data communications between a central controller and the cell controller of each of the manufacturing cells. The central controller collects cell data from the cell controller of each of the manufacturing cells, via the communication network. The cell data is related to the operation, performance, and/or servicing of a same component type of each of the manufacturing cells to form a set of aggregated cell data for the component type. The central controller also analyzes the set of aggregated cell data to generate a predictive model related to future maintenance of the component type.

Abstract: Embodiments of robotic systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a robotic system includes a tool used in a manufacture process on a workpiece, and an arm having an attachment point. The arm moves the tool, in multiple degrees of freedom during the manufacture process. A robot controller controls movement of the arm based on motion parameters to perform the manufacture process via the tool. A path planner component generates the motion parameters used to perform the manufacture process while avoiding robot collision conflicts. The path planner component includes a reach configuration component including data related to physical attributes, motion attributes, kinematics, and limitations of the robotic system. The path planner component also includes a collision avoidance evaluator to, using the reach configuration component, determine if an anticipated robot path results in any robot collision conflicts.

Abstract: A real-time virtual reality welding system including a programmable processor-based subsystem, a spatial tracker operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem, at least one mock welding tool capable of being spatially tracked by the spatial tracker, and at least one display device operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem. The system is capable of simulating, in virtual reality space, a weld puddle having real-time molten metal fluidity and heat dissipation characteristics. The system is further capable of importing data into the virtual reality welding system and analyzing the data to characterize a student welder's progress and to provide training.

Abstract: A system and method to correct for height error during a robotic additive manufacturing process. One or both of an output current, output voltage, output power, output circuit impedance and a wire feed speed are sampled during an additive manufacturing process when creating a current layer. A plurality of instantaneous contact tip-to-work distances (CTWD's) are determined based on at least one or both of the output current, output voltage, output power, output circuit impedance and the wire feed speed. An average CTWD is determined based on the plurality of instantaneous CTWD's. A correction factor is generated, based on at least the average CTWD, which is used to compensate for any error in height of the current layer.

Abstract: A container includes an outer box, and a polygonal liner located within the outer box. The polygonal liner has a plurality of vertical walls. A continuous length of wire is located within the polygonal liner and forms a plurality of layers. Each of the layers is comprised of a series of wire loops arrayed polygonally along the vertical walls of the polygonal liner.

Abstract: A system and method to correct for deposition errors during a robotic welding additive manufacturing process. The system includes a welding power source to sample instantaneous parameter pairs of welding output current and wire feed speed in real time during a robotic welding additive manufacturing process while creating a current weld layer of a 3D workpiece part. An instantaneous ratio of welding output current and wire feed speed are determined for each instantaneous parameter pair. A short term running average ratio is determined based on the instantaneous ratios. A relative correction factor is generated based on at least the short term running average ratio and is used in real time while creating the current weld layer to compensate for deviations in a deposit level from a desired deposit level for the current weld layer.

Abstract: An electric arc welder and a method for performing a pulse welding process producing reduced spatter. The welder produces a current between an advancing electrode and a workpiece. The welder includes a short-detecting capability for detecting a short condition upon occurrence of a short circuit between the advancing electrode and the workpiece. The welder may also include a switching module in the welding circuit path of the welder having an electrical switch and a resistive path. Times of occurrence of short intervals can be tracked and a blanking signal can be generated based on the tracked short intervals to anticipate a next short interval in a next pulse period of the pulsed welding process. The blanking signal can be used to reduce a welding current in the welding circuit path by introducing additional resistance into the welding circuit path via the switching module, for example.

Abstract: A dust collector includes an enclosure and a tube sheet separating filter and clean air compartments. The tube sheet forms a filter opening and a filter is located within the filter compartment and includes a filter flange having an air outlet aligned with said filter opening. The flange includes first and second alignment structures located on a first lateral side of the flange. A clamping assembly includes first and second filter clamps that are movable between a sealing position for sealing the filter flange against the tube sheet, and a release position. The first filter clamp engages the first alignment structure when in the sealing position. The second filter clamp engages the second alignment structure when in the sealing position. The dust collector includes means for moving the filter clamps between the sealing position and the release position.

Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method for welder system that relates to creating a welding sequence for a welding environment in which the welding sequence is based upon non-real time data collected from a welding procedure. Welding procedure information is collected and utilized to create a welding sequence to perform two or more welds in which at least one parameter is based on the collected welding procedure information (e.g., non-real world welding procedure).

Abstract: Embodiments of systems, apparatus, and methods to support the simulation of a shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) operation are disclosed. One embodiment is a tip assembly that includes an elongate mock electrode tip having a proximal end, a distal end, and a locking sleeve near the proximal end. A compression spring is configured to interface with the proximal end of the electrode tip. A locking cup is configured to encompass the compression spring and the locking sleeve. A housing, having an orifice, is configured to receive the electrode tip, the compression spring, and the locking cup into an interior of the housing by accepting the distal end of the electrode tip through the orifice up to the locking sleeve. The locking sleeve and the locking cup are configured to be rotated with respect to each other to allow changing between a locked position and an unlocked position.

Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method for welder system that relates to creating a welding sequence for a welding environment in which the welding sequence is based upon real time data collected from a performed or previously performed welding procedure. Welding procedure information is collected and utilized to create a welding sequence to perform two or more welds in which at least one parameter is based on the collected welding procedure information (e.g., real world welding procedure).

Abstract: Systems and methods to aid a welder or welding student. A system may provide a real-world arc welding system or a virtual reality arc welding system along with a computerized eyewear device having a head-up display (HUD). The computerized eyewear device may be worn by a user under a conventional welding helmet as eye glasses are worn and may wirelessly communicate with a welding power source of a real-world arc welding system or a programmable processor-based subsystem of a virtual reality arc welding system.