Abstract: A method of optical device metrology is provided. The method includes introducing a first type of light into a first optical device during a first time period, the first optical device including an optical substrate and an optical film disposed on the optical substrate, the first optical device further including a first surface, a second surface, and one or more sides connecting the first surface with the second surface; and measuring, during the first time period, a quantity of the first type of light transmitted from a plurality of locations on the first surface or the second surface during the first time period, wherein the measuring is performed by a detector coupled to one or more fiber heads positioned to collect the light transmitted from the plurality of locations.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a headgear for a helmet. The headgear includes a front band, a back band, and an intermediate band comprising a plurality of intermediate band parts arranged between the front band and the back band. The plurality of intermediate band parts comprises first pair of band parts having a circular shape, the band parts of the first pair of band parts extending from and connecting on a first side of the headgear, a second pair of band parts having a circular shape, the band parts of the second pair of band parts extending from and connecting on a second side of the headgear, a first cross band part intersecting with and extending from the connection of the first pair of band parts, and a second cross band part intersecting with and extending from the connection of the second pair of band parts.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for modeling teeth. Methods include generating a clinical crown mesh including visible surfaces of a clinical crown of a tooth; generating a parametric tooth model representing an average of multiple etalon teeth of the same tooth type; fitting the clinical crown mesh with the parametric tooth model to create an interim tooth model; and morphing the interim tooth model to mimic an anatomical shape of the clinical crown mesh. Fitting the clinical crown mesh with the parametric tooth model includes coupling point pairs on surfaces of the clinical crown mesh and the parametric tooth model, where a weighting factor is assigned to each point of the clinical crown mesh or parametric tooth model, and transforming the point pairs according to their weighting factors to cause the point pairs to converge.

Abstract: An example face shield includes a face shield lens comprising a locking channel, a face shield shell configured to receive the face shield lens when the face shield is inserted into the face shield shell, and a lens lock configured to move between: a locked position in which the lens lock is configured to engage the locking channel of the face shield to secure the face shield lens to the face shield shell; and an unlocked position in which the lens lock is configured to disengage the locking channel of the face shield to permit insertion of the face shield to the face shield shell and removal of the face shield from the face shield shell.

Abstract: A helmet assembly includes a face shield and a single, center top mounting arrangement that operatively connects a center top location of the face shield to a center front mount on the helmet. The face shield can be raised and lowered about a pivot axis provided in the mounting arrangement between a tilted up, non-use position and a lowered, deployed position. The mounting arrangement can include a detent and two recesses, wherein the detent engages a first recess at a slightly forwardly displaced position to allow ventilation between the helmet and mandible and the face shield and a second recess at the tilted up, non-use position. The recess and detent engagement can be overcome by easy manual force acting on the face shield to reposition the face shield.

Abstract: A top binding band includes a connection binding band provided with a connection wire, and an elastic adjustable binding band below the connection binding band, wherein the connection binding band electrically connects, through the connection wire, a front-end member and a rear-end member of the head-mounted apparatus. The connection binding band can realize electrical connection between the front and rear members of the head-mounted apparatus. The adjustable binding band is located at the lower side and firstly comes into contact with the head to realize elastic support, thereby preventing the connection binding band with the fixed length and having the connection wire from being pulled, so as to enable the electrical connection to be safer and more reliable.

Abstract: A skull mounting system for headgear, preferably for a respirator hood, is described. The skull mounting system comprises a headband with a front head strap, which extends around the front of the head of a wearer, and a rear head strap, which is found on the back of the head of the wearer. The rear head strap is connected to the front head strap by means of two swivel joints. The swivel joints are at least partially freely rotatable in a corresponding adjustment position and are not rotatable in a corresponding locked position.

Abstract: A film roll for use in a film advance system for eye protective goggles comprises a transparent film wound on the spindle. The film has an inner trailing end, a leading end, and a total film length. In use, the transparent film extends across a lens of the goggles. The transparent film presents a transparent main film part, which extends in the longitudinal direction from the trailing end to the leading end, and which presents optically uniform characteristics at least in the longitudinal direction. The transparent film is provided with at least one visual indication, which is located above the main film part and extends along an upper film edge of the transparent film, said at least one visual indication being limited to a trailing part of said total film length.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a headgear for a helmet. The headgear includes a front band, a back band, and an intermediate band comprising a plurality of intermediate band parts arranged between the front band and the back band. The plurality of intermediate band parts comprises first pair of band parts having a circular shape, the band parts of the first pair of band parts extending from and connecting on a first side of the headgear, a second pair of band parts having a circular shape, the band parts of the second pair of band parts extending from and connecting on a second side of the headgear, a first cross band part intersecting with and extending from the connection of the first pair of band parts, and a second cross band part intersecting with and extending from the connection of the second pair of band parts.

Abstract: A helmet having a cheek pad is provided. The helmet for use with the cheek air pad includes an outer shell having an inside surface, an inner liner surrounding the head of the user and operatively mounted to the helmet outer shell, a chin bar disposed below the face visor, the chin bar having an inside surface facing toward the person when wearing the helmet and a breath guard. The inner liner generally has an inner face and a transparent face visor is attached to the helmet outer shell. The cheek pad is preferably embodied as a deformable element extending upwardly and/or inwardly from the helmet inner liner on the right and/or left inner side of the face visor or goggles. The deformable element is configured to be in contact with the face of the user and the inner edge of the breath guard and the inner liner.

Abstract: A personal protection system including a garment configured for attachment to a helmet, wherein the garment defines a barrier between a wearer and an environment. The system includes a control mount integral to the garment and at least partially disposed on the environment side and the wearer side of the barrier. The system may include an emitter and a sensor configured to detect a signal output by the emitter. The control mount may comprise a lens configured to transmit the signal from the emitter through the garment. A control member may be coupled to the control mount and configured to be manipulated by the wearer. When manipulated by the wearer, the control member may distort and/or disrupt the transfer of the signal through the lens that is detected by the sensor. The sensor may provide a sensor input signal based on the signal detected from the emitter.

Abstract: A visor system for a helmet includes a lens sized to extend across at least a portion of a user's face, a frame secured along a top portion of the lens and configured to receive and abut against a front surface of the helmet, a first fastener coupled to a first end of the frame by a first flexible attachment, and a second fastener coupled to a second end of the frame by a second flexible attachment. The visor system may further include a first anchor releasably securable to the first fastener, the first anchor being mountable onto a first portion of the helmet, and a second anchor releasably securable to the second fastener, the second anchor being mountable onto a second portion of the helmet.

Abstract: A welding helmet (1) with a head suspension system, a protective shield (2) and a movable visor (3). The protective shield forms a see-through window. The welding helmet further has a first neck shield (6). The protective shield forms a lower end at which the first neck shield is removably attachable.

Abstract: A mounting device having a mounting assembly for mounting a pair of goggles to a helmet is provided. The mounting assembly is configured to provide at least three degrees of freedom of movement using one or more actuation mechanisms for locking and unlocking a position of the mounting device. The number of actuation mechanisms is less than a number of degrees of freedom. In some aspects, the number of actuation mechanisms is one. A rotation base connects the mounting assembly to the helmet, and a goggle linkage connects the mounting assembly to the goggles. Various single actuation mechanisms, including a sliding mechanism, a friction-based wire/brake mechanism, and a floating friction brake mechanism, are provided.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for modeling a complete tooth of a patient to facilitate dental and/or orthodontic treatment. The method includes generating a first set of digital data representing a clinical crown; generating a second set of digital data representing a plurality of digital tooth models of a particular tooth type each having a first parameterization; processing the second set of digital data to obtain a third set of digital data representing an average tooth model of the particular tooth type having a second parameterization which is less than the first parameterization; fitting the third set of digital data to the first set of digital data to create a set of digital data representing an interim tooth model; and morphing the set of digital data representing the interim tooth model to substantially mimic the anatomical shape of the clinical crown of the first set of digital data.

Abstract: The present application provides a headband arrangement for a welding helmet, comprising: a fixed attachment structure; and a helmet mounting structure cooperating with the attachment structure, wherein at least two stopping positions are defined longitudinally between the attachment structure and the helmet mounting structure, the helmet mounting structure is selectively switchable between an unlocking state and a locking state, wherein in the unlocking state, the helmet mounting structure is slidable between the stopping positions relative to the attachment structure, and wherein in the locking state, the helmet mounting structure can be locked to one of the stopping positions relative to the attachment structure and can be kept there by a magnetic force generated between a pair of magnetic parts.

Abstract: A headband for a protective helmet comprises a front portion configured to be secured to the protective helmet; a left rear portion that is selectively connected to the front portion; a right rear portion that is selectively connected to the front portion and is configured to overlap the left rear portion; and a means for securing a position of the left rear portion relative to the right rear portion, such as a ratchet mechanism. A headband kit includes multiple left rear portions, each of which can be selectively connected to the front portion, and multiple right rear portions, each of which can be selectively connected to the front portion.

Abstract: In one aspect, a protective headwear is provided and includes a headgear, an outer shell rotatably coupled to the headgear, and a first shield coupled to the outer shell and rotatable between a first position and a second position. The first shield is selectively removable from the outer shell without the use of tools. The protective headwear also includes a second shield coupled to the outer shell. The first shield covers the second shield to a greater extent in the first position than in the second position. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing a protective headwear is provided.

Abstract: A power supply for an item of personal protective equipment and a method and system for removably coupling the power supply to the item of personal protective equipment, such as a respirator mask. The removable battery cartridge is attached to the mask body in the user's chin area, below the location at which a respirator would be or is attached. Thus, the power supply (battery cartridge) is out of the user's way and is at a location that allow the user to couple or uncouple the cartridge from the mask quickly and easily, even when the user is wearing gloves. In one embodiment, a mask body includes a lower surface and power supply that is removably couplable to the mask body lower surface.

Abstract: Video glasses include a headband body, a glasses body configured to rotate relative to the headband body to be at one of a plurality of positions including a use position and at least one open position, and a rotating shaft mechanism rotatably coupling the glasses body to the headband body. The glasses body is configured to be position limited at one of the at least one open position.

Abstract: A surgical garment configured for attachment to a surgical helmet, wherein the surgical garment defines a barrier between the wearer and the environment. The surgical helmet includes a peripheral device, a chin bar, and a coupling member. The coupling member may be recessed within the chin bar. The surgical garment may comprise an attachment element configured to removably couple with the coupling member of the surgical helmet. The coupling member and attachment member may comprise reciprocal features, such as a protrusion and a recess. The protrusion and/or corresponding recess may comprise a curved or similarly shaped surface configured to resist decoupling of the attachment member and the coupling member when a force is applied to the surgical garment.

Abstract: The present application relates to a headband arrangement comprising: an attachment structure; and a helmet mounting structure which can be selectively slid along the attachment structure, the helmet mounting structure having a lockable component, the lockable component being pivotable about a pivotal shaft between a locking position and an unlocking position, wherein a first magnetic part is secured in the lockable component, a second magnetic part is secured in the helmet mounting structure or the attachment structure, a repulsive force can be generated between the first and second magnetic parts to drive the lockable component to return from the unlocking position to the locking position and to hold the lockable component in the locking position.

Abstract: A head suspension includes a headband portion having a length and two transition arms. Each transition arm is coupled to the headband portion and extends away from the headband portion length at an angle greater than zero degrees. Each transition arm has a distal end and a pivot at the distal end. The pivot characterized by a pivot point and a rear support portion is pivotally connected to each pivot.

Abstract: For users exploiting near-to-eye (NR2I) displays for augmented reality and/or correction of low vision then the user is typically going to wear the immersive or non-immersive NR2I displays for specific tasks, for specific visual environments, etc. and hence there is an issue of repeatedly attaching and removing the NR2I display. Further, in the majority of applications irrespective of whether for short-term, long-term, low vision, augmented reality, etc. there is a conflicting tradeoff between user comfort, ease of attachment, minimizing intrusiveness and aesthetics. Accordingly, a means of pivotably attaching and supporting a NR2I display is provided wherein the pivotable mounts may be permanently attached, attached, or demountably attached to a frame which may include for some user's prescription lenses.

Abstract: A welding shield with a welding tool in combination with an adjusting device for adjusting position of a welding tool tip. The welding shield comprises a welding shield body having an outer wall, a weld viewer, and a fastening device for securing the welding tool. The adjusting device includes a platform base comprising a floor member, a wall member surrounding the floor member and a sub-floor slot formed in the floor member. The sub-floor slot has a sub-floor surface spaced inwardly from a floor surface of the floor member. The outer wall of the protective welding shield is configured to be mounted to the floor member of the platform base so that a bottom edge of the welding shield body is disposed within the wall member of the platform base and the welding tip of the welding tool faces the sub-floor slot.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for weld training are provided. An example weld training system includes a computing device comprising a display device on a first side and a camera on a second side, the computing device configured to: capture images with the camera; process the captured images to identify a first simulation device as a simulation weld torch and a second simulation device as a simulation workpiece; and display images of a simulated welding operation on the display device of the computing device based on analyzing the captured images to detect indicia of weld performance, the images of the simulated welding operation reflecting the indicia of weld performance.

Abstract: An adjusting mechanism and a head mounted display are provided. The adjusting mechanism includes a band, a rotating shaft, a knob, a driving member, and a holder. The rotating shaft has a first ring tooth around a central axis. The band is driven by the rotating shaft to move relative to the rotating shaft when the rotating shaft rotates around the central axis. The knob has a plurality of chutes. Each chute has a first section and a second section. The depth of each first section is deeper than the depth of each second section. The driving member has a second ring tooth, a plurality of guiding pins, and a plurality of pawls. The driving member is assembled to the knob, and the guiding pins are located in the chutes. The holder has a circular unidirectional tooth. The band limits the rotation of the holder relative to the band. The circular unidirectional tooth is configured to be coupled with these pawls to limit the rotation of the driving member relative to the holder in a single direction.

Abstract: A helmet mounted visor includes a lens that may be configured to extend across substantially all of a user's face. The helmet mounted visor may include a pair of mount arms coupled to the lens and each configured to releaseably mount to a mount attached to a helmet. The pair of mount arms may each including first, second and third portions. The first portion may be rotatably coupled to the second portion about a first axis. The first portion may be rotatably coupled to the third portion about a second axis. The second axis may be generally perpendicular to the first axis. A locking mechanism may be provided and configured to selectively retain the first portion relative to the second portion in and between a use position where the lens is positioned in front of the user's face and a stowage position where the lens is positioned proximate the top of the helmet.

Abstract: A medical garment for use with a helmet, wherein the garment comprises a shell and a transparent face shield configured to define a barrier between the wearer and the environment. The transparent face shield may comprise a tab configured to be at least partially disposed within an alignment channel of the helmet when the medical garment is attached to the helmet to orient the shell relative to the helmet. The tab may also be separate from the transparent face shield and disposed on the shell of the medical garment. The transparent face shield may also comprise an attachment element configured to removably couple with a coupling member of the helmet, wherein the attachment element and coupling member comprise complementary coupling surfaces.

Abstract: A method includes receiving welding data corresponding to a welding session completed with a welding system, receiving a selected location from an operator, and displaying on a display one or more quality characteristics of the welding session corresponding to the selected location. The welding data includes welding parameters and quality characteristics corresponding to a plurality of points along a path of the welding session. The welding parameters include a work angle of a welding torch, a travel angle of the welding torch, a contact tip to work distance, a travel speed of the welding torch along the path of the welding session, an aim of the welding torch, or any combination thereof. The quality characteristics include porosity, undercut, spatter, underfill, overfill, or any combination thereof. The selected location corresponds to a point of the plurality of points along the path of the welding session.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for monitoring a wearer of a breathing apparatus including a source of breathable gas which is supplied to a delivery device via a fluid line, the monitoring apparatus including a breathing detector arranged to determine if breathing using the breathing apparatus has commenced, and a mobile monitoring device arranged to be associated with the wearer and which can be activated to monitor the motion of the wearer. The monitoring apparatus is arranged to activate the mobile monitoring device when it is determined that breathing has commenced.

Abstract: A welding helmet includes a helmet shell contoured to substantially cover a user's face, and a neck guard removably attachable to a bottom portion of the helmet shell. The neck guard has a predetermined contour, aligning with a portion of the helmet shell contour, and is configured to cover at least a portion of a user's neck when the welding helmet is fitted to the head of the user. The neck guard is removably attachable to the helmet shell by a mechanical fastening arrangement, which can include a plurality of fasteners.

Abstract: A face shield assembly for use with a hard hat to protect a user from injury caused by an arc-flash event. Ventilation slots are provided at the sides of the assembly below an apparatus used for connecting the face shield assembly to a hard hat. Alternatively, lower front ventilation slots are provided, which also improve voice communication by the user. The face shield assembly can have either side or front ventilation slots, or both.

Abstract: A size adjuster for helmets for cycling use of the type that can be fixedly connected inside a helmet for cycling use is disclosed. The size adjuster includes an annular structure arranged along the lower periphery of the helmet and is able to be switched between a minimum diameter configuration and a plurality of increased diameter configurations to allow the helmet to be worn by different sized users. The adjuster can include a manual switching device of the configuration of the annular structure and further includes headrest elements for a user connected to the annular structure in a freely orientable manner along at least one axis.

Abstract: A method includes displaying, on a display of a welding torch, a welding parameter in relation to a predetermined threshold range for the welding parameter, a target value for the welding parameter, or some combination thereof as a position of the welding torch changes, an orientation of the welding torch changes, a movement of the welding torch changes, or some combination thereof, to enable a welding operator to perform a welding operation with the welding parameter within the predetermined threshold range, at the target value, or some combination thereof. The welding parameter is associated with the position of the welding torch, the orientation of the welding torch, the movement of the welding torch, or some combination thereof.

Abstract: In one aspect, a headgear for engaging and supporting protective headwear on a wearer's head is provided. The headgear includes a first side member positioned on a first side of the headgear, a second side member positioned on a second side of the headgear opposite the first side, a forehead strap coupled to the first and second side members and positioned on a front half of the headgear, and an occipital strap having an end coupled to one of the first side member and the second side member on the front half of the headgear and the occipital strap extending to a rear half of the headgear.

Abstract: In one aspect, a headgear for engaging and supporting protective headwear is provided. The headgear includes a first side member positioned on a first side of the headgear, a second side member positioned on a second side of the headgear, a forehead strap extending between the first and second side members and positioned on a front half of the headgear, and an occipital strap having a first end, a second end and a body between the first and second ends. The first end is pivotally coupled to one of the first side member and the second side member on the front half of the headgear and the body extends rearward and downward from the first end toward the second end to a position on a rear half of the headgear. A tightening member is coupled to the occipital strap near the second end on the rear half of the headgear.

Abstract: Protective eyewear including a primary frame is joined with first and second separate and independent protective elements that can move relative to one another. The frame can be constructed from polymeric material, and can include a central portion and opposing left and right side portions that extend rearward to attachment elements and subsequently a strap. The protective elements can be in the form of metal cages, each including a perimeter element that generally surrounds a user's eye and a transverse element that reinforces the perimeter element. The protective elements are primarily only connected via the frame and can move relative to one another, optionally about a flex element defined by the frame. This can enable the eyewear to readily conform to a variety of different facial contours thereby meeting the demand of different players having different facial structure.

Abstract: A short throw projector mount enabling a finely tuned distance adjustment and/or finely tuned height adjustment of an attached projector. The mount includes a wall interface, a projector positioning head, and an elongate arm operably coupling the wall interface and the projector positioning head. A first end of the arm is coupled to the wall interface, and the projector positioning head is operably coupled proximate an opposing second end of the arm such that the projector positioning head is shiftable along a longitudinal axis of the arm. The arm further includes a positioning mechanism arranged to selectively drive shifting of the projector positioning head. A vertical positioning mechanism may be provided to shift the projector vertically relative to the wall interface.

Abstract: A personal safety device, comprising: a housing; attachment means provided on the housing, the attachment means being configured to receive a strap so as to attach the device to a wearer; a motion sensor arranged to monitor the motion of the wearer; and an alarm configured to be activated when the motion sensor has not detected motion for a predetermined period of time; wherein the alarm comprises a first sounder disposed within a first chamber formed by the housing, the first chamber having a first outlet passage; wherein the first outlet passage is arranged such that, in use, it is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the strap.

Abstract: A patient positioning apparatus for an extra-oral imaging system includes a mount for revolving an x-ray source and an imaging sensor panel about a patient's head and a substantially transparent shield suspended from the mount. The shield has a chin support coupled to the shield and comprises a chin rest and a bite element and a forehead support coupled to the shield and comprises a head rest.

Abstract: An indicator device comprising a first carrier material; a first pigment disposed in the first carrier material, the first pigment capable of being degraded by exposure to UV radiation; and wherein the first carrier material is configured so as to have a varying thickness such that upon exposure to UV radiation, a visible change in the pigment will occur which will result in a varying visible change over a first surface of the first carrier material.

Abstract: A mask system for use between a patient and a structure to deliver a breathable gas to the patient includes a mask assembly including a frame, a cushion provided to the frame, and optionally an elbow provided to the frame. Headgear is removably attached to the mask assembly to maintain the mask assembly in a desired position on a patient's face. The headgear includes a top strap, crown straps which cooperate to form a round shape adapted to accommodate a crown of the patient's head, and bottom straps.

Abstract: A helmet includes a shell, a support element mounted on the shell, on the outer side thereof and above the facial opening, and at least a first visor mounted pivoting in relation to the shell around a pivot axis, between a lowered use position and a high retracted position. An articulating means is provided between the support element and the shell, to allow said support element to pivot in relation to the shell around a transverse axis situated in the vicinity of the back edge of the support element, between a lowered use position, in which said support element covers a portion of the shell, and a raised position. A locking means is also provided for locking the support element in the lowered position.

Abstract: An adjustable headband device for a helmet has a base, a headband, a driven wheel, a resilient element, a cover plate and an adjusting knob. The headband is mounted on the base and has two toothed racks. The driven wheel has a gear engaging the toothed racks, multiple engaging tabs and multiple ratchet pawls. The cover plate is mounted on the base and has multiple ratchet teeth selectively engaging the ratchet pawls. The adjusting knob of the adjustable headband device rotates to control increase and decrease of an inner diameter defined by the looped headband without being depressed.

Abstract: Disclosed are detachable safety goggles for safety helmets including a frame provided with rack gears formed at both leg parts thereof, inner housings allowing the leg parts to enter and exit the inner housings and provided with first snap protrusions, outer housings allowing the leg parts to enter and exit the outer housings and provided with first snap gears, rotating handles combined with the outer housings and provided with pinion gears corresponding to the rack gears, and holders combined with the upper ends of the outer housings and combined with the frame of a safety helmet. The detachable safety goggles for safety is detachably attached to the safety helmet, and the wearing distance and angle of the goggles with a worker may be conveniently adjusted as the worker desires.

Abstract: A protective helmet includes an outer shell having a generally dome-shaped section and a brim extending outwardly from the dome-shaped section. The dome-shaped section and the brim are formed from a thermoplastic material. The helmet further includes a brim support in operative connection with at least a portion of the brim. The brim support is formed from a material that is more heat resistant than the thermoplastic material. The brim support is sufficiently rigid to limit deformation of the brim upon exposure to high temperature. The brim support material can, for example, have a melting point above 500° F. A method of limiting high-temperature deformation in a helmet includes molding an outer shell of the helmet to consist essentially of thermoplastic material, the outer shell comprising a generally dome-shaped portion and a brim extending outwardly from the dome-shaped section by at least 2.

Abstract: A protective helmet includes an outer shell having a generally dome-shaped section and a brim extending outwardly from the dome-shaped section. The dome-shaped section and the brim are formed from a thermoplastic material. The helmet further includes a brim support in operative connection with at least a portion of the brim. The brim support is formed from a material that is more heat resistant than the thermoplastic material. The brim support is sufficiently rigid to limit deformation of the brim upon exposure to high temperature. The brim support material can, for example, have a melting point above 500° F.

Abstract: An adapter system for a protective mask (2) serves for movably attaching a protective mask (2) to a helmet (1), wherein the adapter system includes two individual adapters (3), which on the one hand serve for coupling to a connecting device (11) of the helmet (1) by means of a helmet coupling (31) and on the other hand for attaching to the protective mask (2) by means of a mask coupling (37), and the adapters (3) each respectively have a swivelling joint (34), around which a protective mask (2) attached to the adapter (3) is capable of being swivelled. In doing so, the adapters (3) each respectively include a swivelling arm (35) capable of being swivelled relative to the swivelling joint (34), wherein the swivelling arm (35) is adjustable in its length.

Abstract: A system enables transmitting a torch angle and/or a torch-to-workpiece distance error to a welding operator when these parameters are outside of a preset optimal range via real time audio cues. Weld characteristics are communicated via audio signals, which indicate to the welding operator the direction and severity of the torch angle error. Audio cues, such as pulsed or continuous tones, are used to communicate torch-to-workpiece distance to the welding operator.