Abstract: A method and system is provided for welding, using a laser-hot-wire welding system, in an out-of-position state, where the weld joint has a narrow groove opening but the groove of the weld joint has a wider portion than that between the workpiece surfaces than at the groove opening through which the welding operation is directed.

Abstract: A filler wire (consumable) for depositing wear-resistant materials in a system for any of brazing, cladding, building up, filling, hard-facing overlaying, welding, and joining applications. The consumable is composed of base filler materials consistent with commonly known compositions. For example, the base filler material can comprise standard materials used in many standard mild steel wires. In addition to the base filler materials, the consumable includes wear-resistant materials. The wear-resistant materials include at least one of diamond crystals, diamond powder, tungsten carbide, and aluminides.

Abstract: A container for packaging and unwinding a welding wire comprising: a square cardboard box with four vertical side walls and four vertically extending corners, each defining an apex, a center cylindrical core, an inner vertically extending tubular liner with an octagonal outer shape having four outer walls, each generally overlying a side wall of the box and four alternate inner walls between two of the outer walls and spaced from the corner apexes to define generally triangular, vertical cavities with an at rest dimension from the apex of a corner to one of the alternate inner walls and a vertically extending corner reinforcing element in each of the cavities. The element in each cavity has a diagonal pressure rib extending from the apex to the inner wall.

Abstract: A container for packaging and unwinding a welding wire comprising: a square cardboard box with four vertical side walls and four vertically extending corners, each defining an apex, a center cylindrical core, an inner vertically extending tubular liner with an octagonal outer shape having four outer walls, each generally overlying a side wall of the box and four alternate inner walls between two of the outer walls and spaced from the corner apexes to define generally triangular, vertical cavities with an at rest dimension from the apex of a corner to one of the alternate inner walls and a vertically extending corner reinforcing element in each of the cavities. The element in each cavity has a diagonal pressure rib extending from the apex to the inner wall.