Abstract: Stickout of a welding electrode wire from a welding torch is determined during welding, and based upon a welding parameter, such as welding current. Different relationships are used for the determination depending upon whether the welding wire is in a short-circuit condition or an arc condition. The stickout may be converted to a standardized unit of measure to make it readily understandable to an operator. The stickout may be logged and associated with other parameters and information, such as workpiece, operator, welding system, date and time. The stickout may be used as the basis for an alarm or a disabling operation. Moreover, the stickout may be provided on a readout for the operator. It may also be used as a basis for controlling a wire feeding apparatus that retracts the welding wire to a desired stickout following a weld.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an exemplary article transport vehicle. The vehicle includes a frame and at least one wheel supporting the frame on a substrate. The vehicle further includes a support surface extending outwardly from the frame and a lift device secured to the support surface. The lift device is capable of axial movement at an angle relative to the support surface to selectively establish a raised position or lowered position of the support surface relative the substrate.

Abstract: An auxiliary welding heating system includes an induction heating coil disposed adjacent to a welding torch or plasma cutter. The auxiliary welding heating system further includes an induction power supply configured to generate an alternating current and a step-down transformer coupled to the induction power supply. The induction heating coil is coupled to the step-down transformer and is configured to receive the alternating current and induce eddy currents in a welding work piece to heat the welding work piece before an advancing welding arc or plasma cut to a homologous temperature of at least approximately 0.5.

Abstract: A heating device for an optical fiber may include a crucible body having an optical fiber receiving slotted passageway therein for receiving the optical fiber therein, and a heating element receiving passageway therein adjacent the optical fiber receiving slotted passageway and spaced apart therefrom. The heating device may further include a respective electrically powered plasma heating element enclosed within the heating element receiving passageway for heating the optical fiber within the optical fiber receiving slotted passageway.