Abstract: Systems for simulating joining operations, such as welding, are disclosed. In some examples, a system may use a mobile device for conducting welding simulations, such as for purposes of training. In some examples, the system may additionally, or alternatively, use modular workpieces. In some examples, the system may additionally, or alternatively, conduct the welding simulation based on one or more selected pieces of welding equipment.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of smart helmet modules that can be affixed to conventional welding helmets. In some examples, a smart helmet module may include one or more sensors configured to detect if/when welding is occurring, and/or whether a welding helmet is being worn in an up or down position, or not at all. In some examples, a smart helmet module may include one or more helmet devices configured to automatically activate or deactivate based on whether welding is taking place and/or the welding helmet is being worn up, down, or not at all.

Abstract: Systems and methods for learning management systems with shared weld training results are described. In some examples, weld training results may be shared with a learning management system and/or associated with a particular learning activity of the learning management system. In some examples, the weld training results (and/or a networked location where the weld training results are accessible) may be encoded in a machine readable graphic (e.g., a one dimensional, two dimensional, and/or matrix barcode). In some examples, the machine readable graphic may be read and/or decoded by a user device to obtain the weld training results. In some examples, a particular learning activity may also be encoded in the machine readable graphic.

Abstract: A welding system includes one or more sensors configured to detect data relating to one or more arc parameters for the welding system during a weld performed by the welding system. The welding system also includes control circuitry configured to receive the data corresponding to the one or more arc parameters from the one or more sensors, time synchronize the data corresponding to the one or more arc parameters with data relating to one or more welding parameters over a time period for the weld, present the data corresponding to the one or more arc parameters graphically over the time period via a user-viewable screen during the weld, and present the data corresponding to the one or more welding parameters graphically over the time period via the user-viewable screen during the weld.

Abstract: A travel speed sensing system includes an optical sensor configured to be coupled to a welding torch. The optical sensor is configured to sense light incident on the optical sensor, and the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine a travel speed of the welding torch, a direction of the welding torch, or both, based on the sensed light.

Abstract: Systems for simulating joining operations, such as welding, are disclosed. In some examples, a system may use a mobile device for conducting welding simulations, such as for purposes of training. In some examples, the system may additionally, or alternatively, use modular workpieces. In some examples, the system may additionally, or alternatively, conduct the welding simulation based on one or more selected pieces of welding equipment.

Abstract: Disclosed example operator interfaces for welding-type operations include: one or more first inputs configured to receive a travel speed; one or more second inputs configured to receive a first characteristic of a welding-type operation; and control circuitry configured to: determine values for a plurality of welding-type parameters based on the travel speed and the first characteristic; and configure a welding-type power supply using the determined values for the plurality of welding-type parameters.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed relating to a mobile device mounted to a welding helmet such that a wearer of the welding helmet can see a display of the mobile device when wearing the welding helmet. In some examples, the mobile device is mounted such that a camera of the mobile device is unobscured and positioned at approximately eye level, facing the same way the wearer's eyes are facing. In some examples, the simulated training environment may be presented to the user via the display screen of the mobile device, using images captured by the camera of the mobile device, when the mobile device is so mounted to the welding helmet.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of welding technique monitoring systems that provide lightweight, self-contained, and highly portable means of monitoring welding technique and/or providing technique feedback. The systems use a portable support platform that can be easily transported to different welding stations/sites, providing a marked advantage over legacy monitoring systems that use heavy welding stands that are difficult to move. After an initial calibration, the systems can consistently and repeatedly monitor welding technique relative to a particular joint with no additional calibration necessary, even if there is sensor and/or platform movement. The systems are additionally able to detect a welding-type operation without the need to communicate with welding equipment. The systems are further configured for use with existing (rather than potentially expensive custom) welding-type tools, thereby keeping the systems low cost and highly portable.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of welding technique monitoring systems that provide lightweight, self-contained, and highly portable means of monitoring welding technique and/or providing technique feedback. The systems use a portable support platform that can be easily transported to different welding stations/sites, providing a marked advantage over legacy monitoring systems that use heavy welding stands that are difficult to move. After an initial calibration, the systems can consistently and repeatedly monitor welding technique relative to a particular joint with no additional calibration necessary, even if there is sensor and/or platform movement. The systems are additionally able to detect a welding-type operation without the need to communicate with welding equipment. The systems are further configured for use with existing (rather than potentially expensive custom) welding-type tools, thereby keeping the systems low cost and highly portable.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of welding technique monitoring systems that provide lightweight, self-contained, and highly portable means of monitoring welding technique and/or providing technique feedback. The systems use a portable support platform that can be easily transported to different welding stations/sites, providing a marked advantage over legacy monitoring systems that use heavy welding stands that are difficult to move. After an initial calibration, the systems can consistently and repeatedly monitor welding technique relative to a particular joint with no additional calibration necessary, even if there is sensor and/or platform movement. The systems are additionally able to detect a welding-type operation without the need to communicate with welding equipment. The systems are further configured for use with existing (rather than potentially expensive custom) welding-type tools, thereby keeping the systems low cost and highly portable.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of welding technique monitoring systems that provide lightweight, self-contained, and highly portable means of monitoring welding technique and/or providing technique feedback. The systems use a portable support platform that can be easily transported to different welding stations/sites, providing a marked advantage over legacy monitoring systems that use heavy welding stands that are difficult to move. After an initial calibration, the systems can consistently and repeatedly monitor welding technique relative to a particular joint with no additional calibration necessary, even if there is sensor and/or platform movement. The systems are additionally able to detect a welding-type operation without the need to communicate with welding equipment. The systems are further configured for use with existing (rather than potentially expensive custom) welding-type tools, thereby keeping the systems low cost and highly portable.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of welding technique monitoring systems that provide lightweight, self-contained, and highly portable means of monitoring welding technique and/or providing technique feedback. The systems use a portable support platform that can be easily transported to different welding stations/sites, providing a marked advantage over legacy monitoring systems that use heavy welding stands that are difficult to move. After an initial calibration, the systems can consistently and repeatedly monitor welding technique relative to a particular joint with no additional calibration necessary, even if there is sensor and/or platform movement. The systems are additionally able to detect a welding-type operation without the need to communicate with welding equipment. The systems are further configured for use with existing (rather than potentially expensive custom) welding-type tools, thereby keeping the systems low cost and highly portable.

Abstract: A method of operating a welding system includes receiving welding data corresponding to a welding session for a weld, receiving a location selection from an operator, and displaying on a display a graphical representation of welding parameters of the welding selection corresponding to the location selection. The welding data includes welding parameters, including a work angle of a welding torch, a travel angle of the welding torch, a contact tip to work distance, a travel speed of the welding torch along a path of the weld, an aim of the welding torch, or any combination thereof. The location selection corresponds to a point along the path of the weld traversed by the welding torch.

Abstract: Disclosed example travel speed pacing systems for welding-type operations include: an interface configured to receive an input describing a characteristic of a welding-type operation; and control circuitry configured to: determine a target travel speed based on the input; determine a target time interval at which the welding-type operation is to traverse locations corresponding to successive ones of a plurality of marked locations on the workpiece of the welding-type operation, the target time interval being based on the target travel speed and a unit distance between the marked locations; and control the interface to output indicators representative of a target time interval.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods are disclosed relating to augmented reality welding systems. In some examples, an augmented reality welding system is configured to apply a visual effect to a simulated rendering of the augmented reality welding system when a simulated arc is present, so as to emulate an auto-darkening lens of a welding helmet. In some examples, the visual effect is impacted by several user adjustable settings. The settings may be adjusted by a user, such as via a helmet interface and/or the user interface of the augmented reality welding system, for example. In some examples, the settings may emulate auto-darkening settings found on conventional auto-darkening welding helmets (e.g., shade, sensitivity, and/or delay). In some examples, the settings may also include other settings unique to the augmented reality welding system, such as, for example a helmet model/type, a difficulty setting, a realism setting, and/or an effect area setting.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed relating to a mobile device mounted to a welding helmet such that a wearer of the welding helmet can see a display of the mobile device when wearing the welding helmet. In some examples, the mobile device is mounted such that a camera of the mobile device is unobscured and positioned at approximately eye level, facing the same way the wearer's eyes are facing. In some examples, the simulated training environment may be presented to the user via the display screen of the mobile device, using images captured by the camera of the mobile device, when the mobile device is so mounted to the welding helmet.

Abstract: A method for providing a welding score, comprising determining an initial position of a welding operation, determining a terminal position of the welding operation, determining a welding path between the initial position and the terminal position, and determining the welding score based on the welding path, wherein the welding score takes into account one or both of a time used for welding and a length of the welding path. A system comprising a welding torch, and a computer configured to: determine an initial position of a welding operation, determine a terminal position of the welding operation, determine a welding path between the initial position and the terminal position, determine a welding score, wherein the welding score takes into account a time used for welding and/or a length of the welding path, and comparing the welding score to a score threshold.

Abstract: A welding system includes a welding power source having a user interface disposed thereon and a weld controller disposed therein and being adapted to generate a welding power output for use in a welding operation. The welding system also includes a personal computer having control circuitry disposed therein and being removably interfaced with the welding power source via a docking mechanism. When the personal computer is docked within the docking mechanism, the personal computer is enabled for receiving operator input, and the control circuitry communicates with the weld controller to coordinate control of a welding operation in accordance with the operator input.