Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes an electrode head comprising an array of electrodes for depositing material to form a three-dimensional attachment structure connecting first and second prefabricated metallic parts. 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 power for heating each electrode. A drive roll system drives each electrode.

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: Systems and methods to accommodate business relationships between a supplier, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), and an end user. A supplier provides a server having a web site that is accessible by OEM's and end users to purchase subsystems and consumable parts and materials. The OEM's and end users are associated with each other by the server in accordance with established business relationships. The server manages accounts of the OEM's and associated end users to reward on-line credits to the OEM's and the end users when the OEM's and the end users make purchases from the supplier. The rewarding of on-line credits are structured to generate additional business for the supplier from the OEM's and the associated end users.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes an electrode head comprising an array of electrodes for depositing material to form a three-dimensional attachment structure connecting first and second prefabricated metallic parts. 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 power for heating each electrode. A drive roll system drives each electrode.

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: 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: Systems and methods to accommodate business relationships between a supplier, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), and an end user. A supplier provides a server having a web site that is accessible by OEM's and end users to purchase subsystems and consumable parts and materials. The OEM's and end users are associated with each other by the server in accordance with established business relationships. The server manages accounts of the OEM's and associated end users to reward on-line credits to the OEM's and the end users when the OEM's and the end users make purchases from the supplier. The rewarding of on-line credits are structured to generate additional business for the supplier from the OEM's and the associated end users.

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: A device for processing a wire having an outer surface and moving along a given path in a given direction. The device comprises a conductive contact tube surrounding said path and electrically engageable with the wire as it moves along the path and through the tube and a dielectric sleeve adjacent the contact tube and extending in the given direction from the contact tube and around the path to define an annular gas passage between the dielectric sleeve and the wire. An inlet for processing gas is adjacent the contact tube. A conductive electrode sleeve is around the dielectric sleeve so a high frequency, high voltage signal between said electrode sleeve and the contact tube creates a dielectric barrier discharge plasma of the progressing gas in the annular passage.

Abstract: A plasma device including a power source for creating an AC output signal with a matrix transformer between said power source and a series circuit comprising a first lead and a second lead. The matrix transformer including at least two modules with a first primary portion formed of first and second tubes connected at one end and a second primary portion formed of third and fourth tubes connected at one end, with said third and fourth tubes mounted in, and electrically isolated from, said first and second tubes, respectively, where said concentric tubes define generally parallel elongated passages through the module. A secondary winding is wrapped through the elongated passages of each module.

Abstract: A device for processing a wire having an outer surface and moving along a given path in a give direction. The device comprises a conductive contact tube surrounding said path and electrically engageable with the wire as it moves along the path and through the tue and a dielectric sleeve adjacent the contact tube and extending in the given direction from the contact tube and around the path to define an annular gas passage between the dielectric sleeve ad the wire. An inlet for processing gas is adjacent the contact tube in and a conductive electrode sleeve is around the dielectric sleeve so a high frequency, high voltage signal between said electrode sleeve ad the contact tube creates a dielectric barrier discharge plasma of the progressing gas in the annular passage.

Abstract: In a laser cladding, a diamond particulate is applied to the base material of an article that has been melted by an energy source such as a laser. The particulates are introduced into the molten material and allowed to settle as the article surface cools and solidifies. The diamond particulates function to increase the wear resistant characteristics of the article. In one embodiment, the diamond particulates are covered with a metallic veneer, which may be tungsten.

Abstract: A plasma device including a power source for creating an AC output signal with a matrix transformer between said power source and a series circuit comprising a first lead and a second lead. The matrix transformer including at least two modules with a first primary portion formed of first and second tubes connected at one end and a second primary portion formed of third and fourth tubes connected at one end, with said third and fourth tubes mounted in, and electrically isolated from, said first and second tubes, respectively, where said concentric tubes define generally parallel elongated passages through the module. A secondary winding is wrapped through the elongated passages of each module.

Abstract: A plasma device including a power source for creating an AC output signal with a matrix transformer between said power source and a series circuit comprising a first lead and a second lead. The matrix transformer including at least two modules with a first primary portion formed of first and second tubes connected at one end and a second primary portion formed of third and fourth tubes connected at one end, with said third and fourth tubes mounted in, and electrically isolated from, said first and second tubes, respectively, where said concentric tubes define generally parallel elongated passages through the module. A secondary winding is wrapped through the elongated passages of each module.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, set forth is a welding system including a plurality of adjustable welding support structures positioned in relationship to each other to permit welding of a workpiece held by a plurality of adjustable welding support structures, each of the support structures having a movable platform. The control system individually controls the position of the movable platform for each of the adjustable welding structures. In another embodiment of the present application, provided is a method for increasing the accuracy at which an adjustable support structure control system positions at least one adjustable support structure. Included in the process is the generation of a model of the adjustable support structure having an initial set of parameters, including structural position parameters and corresponding control element position parameters.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present application, provided is a welding support structure arrangement to support an elongated assembled weldment preparatory to positional welding. The arrangement includes at least one support structure having a support base and a movable platform connected to the support base by spaced-apart 2-bar linkages with center pintels and a series of length adjusting members between the pintels and the support base. A length adjusting member is located between the movable platform and the support base, wherein the lengths of the length adjusting members set the orientation of the movable platform. In accordance with another embodiment of the present application, welding support structures are arranged in a linear array, wherein each of the welding support structures include a movable platform. At least some of the movable platforms of the plurality of support structures are moved to predetermined orientations.

Abstract: An electrode position detection system for a welder having a laser that is projected in a lateral plane to laterally cross a welding wire at a location below a contact tip of a welding gun and a receiver that receive the laser bean after crossing the welding wire, and a measuring device that determines one or more parameter of the welding wire based on the received laser beam. Arc voltage measurements can also be used to determine one or more parameter of the welding wire.

Abstract: An operating system is provided for an electric arc welder including a high switching speed inverter power source for creating an arc voltage and arc current between an electrode and a workpiece. This operating system regulating the arc voltage to provide a voltage with a slope by using an error circuit to create an error output and having a first input with a signal representing the set voltage and a second input representing the sum of the actual arc voltage and the actual arc current multiplied by a slope constant. A DSP program reduces the error output by adjusting the voltage output of the inverter power source to change the actual arc voltage. The slope constant is in the range of 0–10%.

Abstract: A welding control system to monitor the energy consumption of a plurality of welders. The welding control system controls the operation of one or more welders based upon the energy information received from one or more energy monitoring devices.

Abstract: A system and method for welding with a first and second arc between a first and second electrode, respectively, and a common workpiece, where each of the electrodes is driven by a single power source, where there is a first inductor connected in series with the first electrode and a second inductor connected in series with the second electrode and each of the inductors has sufficient inductive reactance to store enough energy to maintain an existing arc associated with one of the electrodes for a selected general time with essentially no current to the one electrode.