Abstract: Disclosed is a system having a robotic welding system, a controller, a camera, and a processor. The robotic welding system is configured to weld metal sections together in accordance with a plurality of welding variables. The controller is configured to automatically control the robotic welding system. The camera captures sequential images of the welding performed by the robotic welding system. According to an embodiment, the processor is configured to process the sequential images to determine when a selected welding state is to change to a next welding state based on the selected welding state and multiple consistent determinations of the next welding state, and to signal that change to the controller to effect a change in how the welding is performed by the robotic welding system. By considering multiple consistent determinations of the next welding state, there can be a high probability that the next welding state is correct.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system having a robotic welding apparatus configured to weld metal sections together along a seam, an input device configured to produce positioning input for the robotic welding apparatus while welding, and a controller configured to control the robotic welding apparatus in accordance with (i) a recording state in which operation of the robotic welding apparatus is controlled and recorded while welding in a root pass based on the positioning input to produce recorded positioning data, and (ii) an automatic state in which operation of the robotic welding apparatus is automatically controlled while welding in a subsequent pass based on the recorded positioning data. In accordance with an embodiment, motion of the robotic welding apparatus is selectively recorded such that the recorded positioning data utilized in the automatic state omits (i) initial transient motions of the robotic welding apparatus and/or (ii) stop-start motions of the robotic welding apparatus.

Abstract: A removable hood for a fume extractor comprises a shield defining an internal cavity and having one or more vent openings in an upper portion, a welding opening in a rear portion, one or more viewing openings in one or more sides, and a pipe opening in a bottom portion of the shield. The pipe opening comprises arcuate portions on either side thereof for placement adjacent to a pipe. The hood also comprises a removable attachment mechanism on the upper portion of the shield configured to selectively couple the one or more vent openings to an extraction arm of the fume extractor, one or more layers of window material coupled to the shield to cover each of the one or more viewing openings, and one or more internal airflow spaces shaped to direct air flow to cool the window material when suction is applied to the vent openings.

Abstract: A removable hood for a fume extractor comprises a shield defining an internal cavity and having one or more vent openings in an upper portion, a welding opening in a rear portion, one or more viewing openings in one or more sides, and a pipe opening in a bottom portion of the shield. The pipe opening comprises arcuate portions on either side thereof for placement adjacent to a pipe. The hood also comprises a removable attachment mechanism on the upper portion of the shield configured to selectively couple the one or more vent openings to an extraction arm of the fume extractor, one or more layers of window material coupled to the shield to cover each of the one or more viewing openings, and one or more internal airflow spaces shaped to direct air flow to cool the window material when suction is applied to the vent openings.