Abstract: A stud welding process may be performed by a power supply that is adapted for other welding processes, such as MIG, TIG, and so forth. A stud welding gun may receive studs preloaded in a magazine or other support. Studs are charged into the chuck of a stud welding gun and positioned where desired over a surface. An extension, such as a wire-type electrode may extend from the stud and aid in establishing the welding arc. The stud may be shielded by a nozzle or other shield to obviate the need for ceramic ferrules. Orientation of the stud welding gun may be detected, displayed and used as a basis for initiating and completing the stud welding process once the gun and/or stud is properly positioned.

Abstract: A stud welding process may be performed by a power supply that is adapted for other welding processes, such as MIG, TIG, and so forth. A stud welding gun may receive studs preloaded in a magazine or other support. Studs are charged into the chuck of a stud welding gun and positioned where desired over a surface. An extension, such as a wire-type electrode may extend from the stud and aid in establishing the welding arc. The stud may be shielded by a nozzle or other shield to obviate the need for ceramic ferrules. Orientation of the stud welding gun may be detected, displayed and used as a basis for initiating and completing the stud welding process once the gun and/or stud is properly positioned.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a carriage such as for an automatic welding machine for welding line pipe on a lay barge where the machine is successively lifted from and set upon the pipe. A power cylinder operates extendable legs in accordance with its full stroke and cables connected with an overhead support are also connected to the movable legs and trained over a sheave on the carriage to provide certain lost motion between the extended positions of the legs and their retracted positions so that all of the carriage weight is borne by the legs when extended and all of the weight is borne by the cables when the legs are retracted, thus insuring that the legs clear the pipe irrespective of variations in the distance between the pipe and the overhead support. The sheave is positioned on the carriage to effectively increase the distance by which the carriage is moved by the power cylinder throughout its stroke.