Abstract: A welding apparatus comprising a welding contact tip device configured to receive at least one consumable welding electrode therein, wherein the welding contact tip device includes a first region configured to attach to a welding head and a second region configured to attach to an electrode extension device; and an electrode extension device configured to attach to the welding contact tip device, wherein the electrode extension device includes an upper portion having a predetermined length and a predetermined diameter, wherein the upper portion is configured to create an electrically insulating barrier between the electrode extension device and the welding contact tip device; and a lower portion having a predetermined length, wherein the lower portion is configured to receive at least one consumable welding electrode therein.

Abstract: An electrode extension guide for use with welding systems is provided. This electrode extension guide includes a barrel adapted to be connected to a contact tip, wherein the barrel has a predetermined length, a predetermined outer diameter, a predetermined inner diameter, and a plurality of apertures formed therein, wherein each aperture extends from the outer diameter through to the inner diameter of the barrel, and wherein the inner diameter further defines a channel passing lengthwise through the barrel; a plurality of bearings, wherein each bearing is inserted into one of the apertures formed in the barrel such that the bearing extends a predetermined distance into the channel, and wherein each bearing is electrically non-conductive; and a sleeve disposed around the outer diameter of the barrel along the length thereof, wherein the sleeve is operative to retain the bearings within the apertures at the outer diameter of the barrel.

Abstract: Rendering electronic chart objects is provided. A set of chart elements having a common set of properties is identified. Formatting attributes of the chart elements and the data point locations for each chart element are also identified. Path information is generated for the chart elements that includes the formatting attributes and the data point locations. The path information is provided to a rendering engine that renders a chart element. Each chart element in the set is displayed on a display screen. Chart elements having a common set of properties are only rendered once. Alternatively, chart objects are rendered by generating and storing an image of chart objects having a common geometry and common properties and by copying the stored image to each data point location. Dynamic selection of rendering engines based on property and performance criteria may be utilized to enhance rendering performance.

Abstract: Rendering electronic chart objects is provided. A set of chart elements having a common set of properties is identified. Formatting attributes of the chart elements and the data point locations for each chart element are also identified. Path information is generated for the chart elements that includes the formatting attributes and the data point locations. The path information is provided to a rendering engine that renders a chart element. Each chart element in the set is displayed on a display screen. Chart elements having a common set of properties are only rendered once. Alternatively, chart objects are rendered by generating and storing an image of chart objects having a common geometry and common properties and by copying the stored image to each data point location. Dynamic selection of rendering engines based on property and performance criteria may be utilized to enhance rendering performance.

Abstract: Duplex stainless steel having about 25% chrome, 7% nickel and 3.5% molybdenum content included in its chemical composition is gas tungsten arc welded by a manual procedure wherein a continuous or segmented root pass weld is made with a filler metal rod of a first diameter and plural cover passes are made in segments or continuously using a filler metal rod of a larger diameter. The weld may be cooled by demineralized water between passes to limit the interpass temperature of the weld to about 300.degree. F. or less. The use of a larger diameter filler rod for the cover passes with a 300.degree. F. temperature limit between passes and segment welds in intermediate and cover passes of 180.degree. reduces time to complete circumferential girth welds for duplex stainless steel pipe by more than 50 percent.

Abstract: In a low resolution color printer having a color set, a set of shaded colors is generated thereby expanding the color set of the printer. The method for generating the shaded colors determines if a critical line is to be printed. Then a check is made to determine if a shaded color is to be printed. If a pattern of a shaded color is to be printed, including a non-critical line, a first algorithm is used to generate a print buffer by interspersing a dark (quasi-black) colored pixel among the colored pixels, the blending effect resulting in a shaded color. If a critical line of a shaded color is to be printed, a second algorithm is utilized (to overcome a deficiency of the first algorithm) to insure an interspersing of the dark pixels with colored pixels. Otherwise, the pattern is printed in the designated color.