Abstract: A system to support communication and control in a welding environment is disclosed. In one embodiment the system includes an internet-of-things (IoT) technology platform configured to provide scalable, interoperable, and secure communication connections between a plurality of disparate devices within a welding environment. The system also includes a welding power source configured to communicate with the IoT technology platform. The system further includes a computerized eyewear device. The computerized eyewear device includes a control and communication circuitry configured to communicate with the welding power source via the IoT technology platform. The computerized eyewear device also includes a transparent display configured to display information received from the welding power source via the IoT technology platform while allowing a user to view a surrounding portion of the welding environment through the transparent display.

Abstract: Multiple arc welding systems are provided, along with welding system controllers and control methods, in which a single user selected system setpoint value is used to derive individual machine setpoints for a plurality of welding machines in the multiple arc welding system.

Abstract: A system to support communication and control in a welding environment is disclosed. In one embodiment the system includes an internet-of-things (IoT) technology platform configured to provide scalable, interoperable, and secure communication connections between a plurality of disparate devices within a welding environment. The system also includes a welding power source configured to communicate with the IoT technology platform. The system further includes a computerized eyewear device. The computerized eyewear device includes a control and communication circuitry configured to communicate with the welding power source via the IoT technology platform. The computerized eyewear device also includes a transparent display configured to display information received from the welding power source via the IoT technology platform while allowing a user to view a surrounding portion of the welding environment through the transparent display.

Abstract: Welding systems and sequence controllers therefor are presented for controlling components of a welding system during a welding operation. The sequence controller receives system inputs and provides control outputs to the system components, and includes a processing component, an executable sequence control program, and a state table file. The sequence control state table file includes a number of entries corresponding to welding operation states, where the individual entries comprise one or more instruction identifiers, instruction parameters, exit condition identifiers and corresponding next state identifiers. The sequence control program is executed according to the sequence controller inputs and according to the state table file to provide the sequence controller outputs, where the state table file can be easily modified or new state table files can be created and downloaded to the sequence controller to facilitate easy reconfiguration of a welding system.

Abstract: Welding systems and programming tools are described, in which a touch screen-based welding system configuration tool is provided having a touch screen display for designing welding power source waveforms or for configuring a system sequence controller, where the touch screen may be integrated into a welding system component. The touch screen displays information related to a switching type welding power source and/or a welding system sequence controller, as well as one or more touch activation indicia to allow a user to numerically or graphically configure the power source or the sequence controller by touching the touch activation indicia.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for tactile communication with an operator in an arc processing system, in which a tactile device is mechanically coupled with a handheld torch to provide tactile messages to the operator according to information related to the system or to an arc processing operation being performed.

Abstract: Multiple arc welding systems are provided, along with welding system controllers and control methods, in which a single user selected system setpoint value is used to derive individual machine setpoints for a plurality of welding machines in the multiple arc welding system.

Abstract: A circuit for providing D.C. current from a power source having a current regulating input to a plasma system including an electrode and a nozzle with a plasma arc opening exposing the electrode to a juxtapositioned workpiece, which circuit has a first circuit branch for creating a pilot arc across the electrode and nozzle, a second circuit branch for creating an operative plasma arc across the electrode and the workpiece, a current sensor in the second circuit branch for sensing the workpiece current in the second circuit branch, a switch for opening the first circuit branch when the sensed workpiece current exceeds a preselected current to transfer the pilot arc to the operative plasma arc, a system for regulating the current in the first circuit branch until the arc transfer and a circuit for increasing the pilot current supplied from said power source to first circuit branch when sensed workpiece current exceeds a low threshold value.

Abstract: A plasma system including a torch having an electrode and nozzle with a plasma arc opening exposing the electrode to a workpiece and an input transformer with a primary winding network and a secondary winding network driven by the primary winding network, a first circuit driven by the secondary winding network for creating a pilot arc across the electrode and nozzle, a second circuit driven by the secondary winding network for creating a plasma arc across the electrode and the workpiece and a switch for selectively shifting between the first circuit and the second circuit is improved in a manner where the secondary winding network comprising a first winding with a first effective number of turns for driving the first circuit and a second winding with a second effective number of turns for driving the second circuit, and the first and second effective number of turns can be different to operate the torch by different windings during the pilot arc mode and the cutting mode.