Abstract: The invention describes a remote access unit (31) and a method for managing welding devices (1) which are connected to a network (27) via interfaces (28), including a connection for connecting to the network (27), a display for displaying the welding devices (1) and their parameters and/or configurations, a memory for storing the parameters and/or configurations of the welding devices (1), and input units for operation.

Abstract: The invention describes a welding device (1) or a current source (2), with a control system (4), preferably comprising a microprocessor controller with a memory unit, a power component (3), in particular a current-inverting source, and additional components such as a welding torch (10), a wire feed device (11), etc., which are connected to the welding device (1) or the current source (2) via appropriate interfaces. An add-on module (27) is connected to the control system (4) or to the current source (2) for identifying a person by means of biometric physical characteristics such as an electronic fingerprint, voice recognition, iris recognition, recognition of a facial shape, recognition of writing, etc. or alternatively a transponder code via a transponder system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method of controlling a welding apparatus (1), whereby individual welding parameters can be set in the form of a welding job (35 to 39) by means of a first control unit (22) hard-wired to or integrated in the welding apparatus (1), and several such welding jobs (35 to 39) can be stored in a memory device (28) and, by selecting a welding job (35 to 39) by means of the first control unit (22), the welding apparatus (1) and the components of the welding system are activated on the basis of the parameters stored therein by a control system (4), and when a second control unit (29) is operated, a start signal is sent to the control system (4) in order to start the welding operation.