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: Connection boxes for gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) training systems are described. In some examples, a connection box of the GTAW training system coordinates delivery of welding-type power to a GTAW torch during training. In some examples, a remote control (e.g., foot pedal) may be activated at different levels to command different levels of welding-type power be delivered to the GTAW torch from a welding-type power supply. In some examples, the connection box may selectively enable or disable communication between the remote control and welding-type power supply during training. In some examples, this selective enablement/disablement may be based on whether the GTAW training system is in a live-arc mode or simulation mode.

Abstract: A welding training system includes one or more welding operator device which provides positional feedback relevant to a quality weld. The positional feedback is analyzed and, when the positional feedback is outside of a predetermined range, a signal is provided to the welding operator. In one embodiment, tactile feedback is provided in a welding gun.

Abstract: A welding system includes a welding torch. The welding torch includes a sensor configured to detect a motion associated with the welding torch, a temperature associated with the welding torch, or some combination thereof. A display of the welding torch is activated, a determination is made that the welding torch has been involved in a high impact event, live welding using the welding torch is disabled, a software selection is made, or some combination thereof, based on the motion, the temperature, or some combination thereof.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of smart welding helmets having a plurality of functions that go beyond conventional welding helmets. For example, a smart welding helmet may be configured to detect if/when the helmet surpasses one or more temperature thresholds, which may alert an operator if they have been welding too close and/or for too long. Other example smart helmet functions may include the ability to display (and/or otherwise output) feedback/guidance and/or welding information, as well as communicate with appropriate personnel. In some examples, the smart welding helmet may be configured to selectively enable/disable certain functions of the smart welding helmet to accommodate the needs of a particular operator and/or groups of operators.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of weld tracking systems implemented via a welding helmet. The welding helmet includes weld tracking sensors configured to allow the welding helmet to track a welding-type tool and/or an arc generated by the welding-type tool. The welding helmet also includes helmet tracking sensors configured to allow the welding helmet to track its own position and/or orientation relative to a reference point in the welding environment. By tracking itself as well as the welding-type tool and/or arc, the welding helmet can differentiate between its own movement, and movement of the welding-type tool and/or arc. By knowing the spatial relationship between the different sensors of the welding helmet, the tracking information can be combined and used for weld tracking. By implementing the weld tracking system in the welding helmet, the weld tracking system becomes portable and usable outside of the usual fixed confines of weld tracking systems.

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: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods are disclosed relating to welding systems that allow for virtual marking of welding workpieces. In some examples, a virtual marking process of the welding system generates and/or displays one or more markings on a display of the welding system in response to a dynamic input. In some examples, the dynamic input may comprise one or more of a user input received via a user interface, a marking instrument, and/or a welding gun of the welding system. In some examples, the dynamic input may comprise images captured by the welding system and recognized by the welding system as indicating markings. In some examples, the markings may guide an operator by indicating weld locations and/or weld order. In some examples, the markings may include embedded marking data (and/or metadata) that may be accessed and/or displayed to provide additional information and/or guidance to the operator.

Abstract: A welding system includes a first sensor associated with a welding helmet and configured to sense a parameter indicative of a position of a welding torch relative to the welding helmet. The travel speed sensing system also includes a processing system communicatively coupled to the first sensor and configured to determine a position of the welding torch relative to a workpiece based on the sensed first parameter.

Abstract: A welding system includes a welding torch. The welding torch includes a sensor configured to detect a motion associated with the welding torch, a temperature associated with the welding torch, or some combination thereof. A display of the welding torch is activated, a determination is made that the welding torch has been involved in a high impact event, live welding using the welding torch is disabled, a software selection is made, or some combination thereof, based on the motion, the temperature, or some combination thereof.

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: 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: A welding training system includes one or more welding operator device which provides positional feedback relevant to a quality weld. The positional feedback is analyzed and, when the positional feedback is outside of a predetermined range, a signal is provided to the welding operator. In one embodiment, tactile feedback is provided in a welding gun.

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 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: 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: Present embodiments include systems and methods for stick welding applications. In certain embodiments, simulation stick welding electrode holders may include stick electrode retraction assemblies configured to mechanically retract a simulation stick electrode toward the stick electrode retraction assembly to simulate consumption of the simulation stick electrode during a simulated stick welding process. In addition, in certain embodiments, stick welding electrode holders may include various input and output elements that enable, for example, control inputs to be input via the stick welding electrode holders, and operational statuses to be output via the stick welding electrode holders. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, a welding training system interface may be used to facilitate communication and cooperation of various stick welding electrode holders with a welding training system.

Abstract: A welding system includes a first sensor associated with a welding helmet and configured to sense a parameter indicative of a position of a welding torch relative to the welding helmet. The travel speed sensing system also includes a processing system communicatively coupled to the first sensor and configured to determine a position of the welding torch relative to a workpiece based on the sensed first parameter.

Abstract: An example weld training system includes: an orientation device; a mobile device; and a mount configured to attach the mobile device to a welding accessory, wherein the mobile device comprises: one or more sensors including at least a camera; a processor; and a machine readable storage device storing machine readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: recognize identifiers on the orientation device based on images captured via the camera; determine at least one of position information or orientation information for a welding torch with respect to the orientation device based on the recognized identifiers; and display, via a display of the mobile device, a welding operation based on the at least the position information or the orientation information.

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.