Abstract: A system and method of electric arc welding that includes a welding apparatus having an electric arc welder torch with sensors to determine the absolute position of the torch tip and the relative position of the torch tip to the weld joint during automatic welding. Combining absolute and relative positional data can be used to adjust the path of the robot during automated or robotic welding in response to variations in the weld joint.

Abstract: A system and method to correct for height error during a robotic additive manufacturing process. One or both of an output current, output voltage, output power, output circuit impedance and a wire feed speed are sampled during an additive manufacturing process when creating a current layer. A plurality of instantaneous contact tip-to-work distances (CTWD's) are determined based on at least one or both of the output current, output voltage, output power, output circuit impedance and the wire feed speed. An average CTWD is determined based on the plurality of instantaneous CTWD's. A correction factor is generated, based on at least the average CTWD, which is used to compensate for any error in height of the current layer.

Abstract: Multi-material tooling and methods of making multi-material tooling are provided. The multi-material tooling includes a core formed of a first material having a hardness (Rockwell C scale) of up to 30 HRC, and a shell layer adjacent to the core. The shell layer is formed of a second material having a hardness of 33 HRC to 70 HRC. The method of making multi-material includes depositing a first layer of a first material using an additive manufacturing technique to form a core. The first material that forms the core has a hardness of up to 30 HRC. The method also includes depositing a second layer of a second material to form a shell layer adjacent to the core. The second material that forms the shell layer has a hardness of 33 HRC to 70 HRC.

Abstract: A system to support communication and control in a welding environment is disclosed. In one embodiment the system includes an internet-of-things (IoT) technology platform configured to provide scalable, interoperable, and secure communication connections between a plurality of disparate devices within a welding environment. The system also includes a welding power source configured to communicate with the IoT technology platform. The system further includes a computerized eyewear device. The computerized eyewear device includes a control and communication circuitry configured to communicate with the welding power source via the IoT technology platform. The computerized eyewear device also includes a transparent display configured to display information received from the welding power source via the IoT technology platform while allowing a user to view a surrounding portion of the welding environment through the transparent display.

Abstract: A method and system to manufacture workpieces employing a high intensity energy source that irradiates a surface of a workpiece to create a puddle and at least one resistively heated wire which is heated to at or near its melting temperature and deposited into the puddle as droplets. Preferably, a wire feeding device feeds the wire to the puddle, and a power supply supplies a heating signal to the wire where the heating signal comprises a plurality of current pulses and where each of the current pulses creates a molten droplet on a distal end of the wire which is deposited into the puddle.

Abstract: A welding or cutting system having a power supply with no user interface hardware or software for controlling the operation of the power supply, and a mobile communication device which contains an application allowing for control of the power supply. The mobile device is coupled to the power supply through either a wired or wireless connection.

Abstract: A system and method to correct for height error during a robotic additive manufacturing process. One or both of an output current, output voltage, output power, output circuit impedance and a wire feed speed are sampled during an additive manufacturing process when creating a current layer. A plurality of instantaneous contact tip-to-work distances (CTWD's) are determined based on at least one or both of the output current, output voltage, output power, output circuit impedance and the wire feed speed. An average CTWD is determined based on the plurality of instantaneous CTWD's. A correction factor is generated, based on at least the average CTWD, which is used to compensate for any error in height of the current layer.

Abstract: Multi-material tooling and methods of making multi-material tooling are provided. The multi-material tooling includes a core formed of a first material having a hardness (Rockwell C scale) of up to 30 HRC, and a shell layer adjacent to the core. The shell layer is formed of a second material having a hardness of 33 HRC to 70 HRC. The method of making multi-material includes depositing a first layer of a first material using an additive manufacturing technique to form a core. The first material that forms the core has a hardness of up to 30 HRC. The method also includes depositing a second layer of a second material to form a shell layer adjacent to the core. The second material that forms the shell layer has a hardness of 33 HRC to 70 HRC.

Abstract: A system and method of electric arc welding that includes a welding apparatus having an electric arc welder torch with sensors to determine the absolute position of the torch tip and the relative position of the torch tip to the weld joint during automatic welding. Combining absolute and relative positional data can be used to adjust the path of the robot during automated or robotic welding in response to variations in the weld joint.

Abstract: A system to support communication and control in a welding environment is disclosed. In one embodiment the system includes an internet-of-things (IoT) technology platform configured to provide scalable, interoperable, and secure communication connections between a plurality of disparate devices within a welding environment. The system also includes a welding power source configured to communicate with the IoT technology platform. The system further includes a computerized eyewear device. The computerized eyewear device includes a control and communication circuitry configured to communicate with the welding power source via the IoT technology platform. The computerized eyewear device also includes a transparent display configured to display information received from the welding power source via the IoT technology platform while allowing a user to view a surrounding portion of the welding environment through the transparent display.

Abstract: A system and method is provided where a torch having a consumable manifold can direct one of a plurality of possible consumables to a workpiece for an operation without having the need to re-run a consumable or use a different torch. The torch manifold has at least two feeding throats which feed into a common main throat which then couples to the throat of a torch tip to deliver the desired consumable.

Abstract: A method and system to manufacture workpieces employing a high intensity energy source to create a puddle and at least one resistively heated wire which is heated to at or near its melting temperature and deposited into the puddle as droplets.

Abstract: A welding or cutting system having a power supply with no user interface hardware or software for controlling the operation of the power supply, and a mobile communication device which contains an application allowing for control of the power supply. The mobile device is coupled to the power supply through either a wired or wireless connection.