Abstract: A data structure for weld programs associates configuration data for a welding system with a plurality of weld programs and weld sequence data. The data structure allows the welding system to be configured for a particular part, operator, or stage in a welding process, and to be easily reconfigured when the part, operator, or stage changes, providing improved efficiency and flexibility in operation.

Abstract: A data structure for weld programs associates configuration data for a welding system with a plurality of weld programs and weld sequence data. The data structure allows the welding system to be configured for a particular part, operator, or stage in a welding process, and to be easily reconfigured when the part, operator, or stage changes, providing improved efficiency and flexibility in operation.

Abstract: A data structure for weld programs associates configuration data for a welding system with a plurality of weld programs and weld sequence data. The data structure allows the welding system to be configured for a particular part, operator, or stage in a welding process, and to be easily reconfigured when the part, operator, or stage changes, providing improved efficiency and flexibility in operation.

Abstract: A data structure for weld programs associates configuration data for a welding system with a plurality of weld programs and weld sequence data. The data structure allows the welding system to be configured for a particular part, operator, or stage in a welding process, and to be easily reconfigured when the part, operator, or stage changes, providing improved efficiency and flexibility in operation.

Abstract: A data structure for weld programs associates configuration data for a welding system with a plurality of weld programs and weld sequence data. The data structure allows the welding system to be configured for a particular part, operator, or stage in a welding process, and to be easily reconfigured when the part, operator, or stage changes, providing improved efficiency and flexibility in operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed and includes a cost calculator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed and includes a cost calculator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed and includes a database, preferably with a DBMS, and preferably embedded. The welding-type system includes a source of power, and a controller connected to the source of power. The DBMS may be part of the welding controller. A method of monitoring a welding-type system is also disclosed, and includes monitoring data and storing the data in an embedded database. The database may include data organized in a plurality of columns and rows, and the date may relate to one or more welding processes, data relating to welding parameters, including one or more of commanded welding voltages, welding current, wire feed speed, data relating to one or more welding sequences, and/or one or more fedback welding parameters such as current, voltage, welding time, ramp rates and wire feed speed. The data may be located in a file in an operating system, in a file on a personal computer, and/or in a file networked to the welding-type system.

Abstract: A data structure for weld programs associates configuration data for a welding system with a plurality of weld programs and weld sequence data. The data structure allows the welding system to be configured for a particular part, operator, or stage in a welding process, and to be easily reconfigured when the part, operator, or stage changes, providing improved efficiency and flexibility in operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power are disclosed. They include a source of welding-type power and at least one welding system peripheral. Each includes a network module that has boot loader software. A network is connected to the two network modules, and the network has connection for updates that is capable of receiving software updates. The network connection for updating may be on a user interface module, disposed inside or outside of a housing of the source of welding-type power and may include an RS232 connection. The network modules may include application software. The peripheral may be a wire feeder, a robot interface, or any other peripheral. A second peripheral, with a network module and boot loader software, may also be connected to the network. The updating can occur when the system is powered up. The software update is obtained from a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, or over the internet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power are disclosed. They include a source of welding-type power and at least one welding system peripheral. Each includes a network module that has boot loader software. A network is connected to the two network modules, and the network has connection for updates that is capable of receiving software updates. The network connection for updating may be on a user interface module, disposed inside or outside of a housing of the source of welding-type power and may include an RS232 connection. The network modules may include application software. The peripheral may be a wire feeder, a robot interface, or any other peripheral. A second peripheral, with a network module and boot loader software, may also be connected to the network. The updating can occur when the system is powered up. The software update is obtained from a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, or over the internet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for programming a welding-type system is disclosed. They include storing at least one welding program in a pda and connecting the pda to the welding-type system. Then, the at least one welding program is downloaded to (or a program is uploaded from) the welding-type system. The controller includes a memory and a memory input is connected to the memory and connectable to a pda. The program may be delivered to the pda by email. The connection may be wired, such as RS232), or wireless, such as IR or RF. The program is edited in one embodiment. Also, the connection may be wireless and to a remote memory (such as on a desktop or laptop).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for programming a welding-type system is disclosed. They include storing at least one welding program in a pda and connecting the pda to the welding-type system. Then, the at least one welding program is downloaded to (or a program is uploaded from) the welding-type system. The controller includes a memory and a memory input is connected to the memory and connectable to a pda. The program may be delivered to the pda by email. The connection may be wired, such as RS232), or wireless, such as IR or RF. The program is edited in one embodiment. Also, the connection may be wireless and to a remote memory (such as on a desktop or laptop).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The method includes sensing the status of a trigger between an on position and an off position. A system latch is set or released based on the trigger status and the latch status. The system latches on when the trigger is held for a predetermined time (and the latch was previously off). The latch is released when the trigger is pulled and released when the latch was previously on. When the latch is off, pulling the trigger turns the system on, and releasing the trigger before the predetermined time turns the system off. The latch may also be released when welding current drops below a threshold. The time might not start until after welding current is flowing. A welding wire feed speed control potentiometer on a torch is also disclosed. The range of the torch potentiometer is from a minimum to a value dependent on the control panel welding wire feed speed. A run-in wire feed speed control is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power are disclosed. They include a source of welding-type power and at least one welding system peripheral. Each includes a network module that has boot loader software. A network is connected to the two network modules, and the network has connection for updates that is capable of receiving software updates. The network connection for updating may be on a user interface module, disposed inside or outside of a housing of the source of welding-type power and may include an RS232 connection. The network modules may include application software. The peripheral may be a wire feeder, a robot interface, or any other peripheral. A second peripheral, with a network module and boot loader software, may also be connected to the network. The updating can occur when the system is powered up. The software update is obtained from a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, or over the internet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The method includes sensing the status of a trigger between an on position and an off position. A system latch is set or released based on the trigger status and the latch status. The system latches on when the trigger is held for a predetermined time (and the latch was previously off). The latch is released when the trigger is pulled and released when the latch was previously on. When the latch is off, pulling the trigger turns the system on, and releasing the trigger before the predetermined time turns the system off. The latch may also be released when welding current drops below a threshold. The time might not start until after welding current is flowing. A welding wire feed speed control potentiometer on a torch is also disclosed. The range of the torch potentiometer is from a minimum to a value dependent on the control panel welding wire feed speed. A run-in wire feed speed control is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The method includes sensing the status of a trigger between an on position and an off position. A system latch is set or released based on the trigger status and the latch status. The system latches on when the trigger is held for a predetermined time (and the latch was previously off). The latch is released when the trigger is pulled and released when the latch was previously on. When the latch is off, pulling the trigger turns the system on, and releasing the trigger before the predetermined time turns the system off. The latch may also be released when welding current drops below a threshold. The time might not start until after welding current is flowing. A welding wire feed speed control potentiometer on a torch is also disclosed. The range of the torch potentiometer is from a minimum to a value dependent on the control panel welding wire feed speed. A run-in wire feed speed control is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for programming a welding-type system is disclosed. They include storing at least one welding program in a pda and connecting the pda to the welding-type system. Then, the at least one welding program is downloaded to (or a program is uploaded from) the welding-type system. The controller includes a memory and a memory input is connected to the memory and connectable to a pda. The program may be delivered to the pda by email. The connection may be wired, such as RS232), or wireless, such as IR or RF. The program is edited in one embodiment. Also, the connection may be wireless and to a remote memory (such as on a desktop or laptop).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power including a source of welding-type power connected to a controller is disclosed. The controller includes a controller network module with a controller multiple level message module. A welding-type device includes a device network module with a device multiple level message module. A network is operatively connected to the network modules, and is capable of sending a plurality of multiple level messages. A welding peripheral and/or a second source of power has a network module with a multiple level module and is connected to the network. The multiple level message includes an identifier portion and a data portion, and the data portion can include a pointer portion and a value portion in various alternatives. The components may have memory connected to the multiple level message modules, and store common message decoding data therein so that they have shared knowledge for decoding the pointer portions and data portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for programming a welding-type system is disclosed. They include storing at least one welding program in a pda and connecting the pda to the welding-type system. Then, the at least one welding program is downloaded to (or a program is uploaded from) the welding-type system. The controller includes a memory and a memory input is connected to the memory and connectable to a pda. The program may be delivered to the pda by email. The connection may be wired, such as RS232), or wireless, such as IR or RF. The program is edited in one embodiment. Also, the connection may be wireless and to a remote memory (such as on a desktop or laptop).