Abstract: In some aspects, autonomous motion devices configured to operably connect to a plasma torch of a plasma cutting system can include: a body to support a power supply of the plasma cutting system and move relative to a workpiece; a torch holder connected to the body and configured to position a plasma arc torch tip of the plasma torch relative to a region of the workpiece to be processed; a drive system to translate the body supporting the power supply and torch autonomously relative to a surface of the workpiece during a plasma processing operation; and a processor in communication with the drive system and configured to communicate with the power supply, the processor being configured to control the translation of the body relative to the workpiece in accordance with the plasma processing operation.

Abstract: A mobile welding system that does not rely exclusively on a track to define the path of the welder.

Abstract: In some aspects, autonomous motion devices configured to operably connect to a plasma torch of a plasma cutting system can include: a body to support a power supply of the plasma cutting system and move relative to a workpiece; a torch holder connected to the body and configured to position a plasma arc torch tip of the plasma torch relative to a region of the workpiece to be processed; a drive system to translate the body supporting the power supply and torch autonomously relative to a surface of the workpiece during a plasma processing operation; and a processor in communication with the drive system and configured to communicate with the power supply, the processor being configured to control the translation of the body relative to the workpiece in accordance with the plasma processing operation.

Abstract: The present apparatus is configured to carry an instrument or probe and optionally deploy it against a surface, such as a metal pipeline or storage tank. The apparatus can include a sensor probe for inspecting the integrity of the surface and a first linkage that is operatively coupled to the sensor probe and configured to move the sensor probe according to a first path (in a first direction/first degree of freedom). An actuator can be operatively connected to the first linkage for moving the first linkage so as to move the sensor probe along the first path. A second linkage is operatively connected to the sensor probe and configured to passively move the sensor probe according to a second degree of freedom to cause the sensor probe to become normal to the surface when at least a portion of the apparatus contacts the surface.

Abstract: A welding system for applying a weld to a workpiece, the welding system including a frame, a welding torch mounted on the frame, the welding torch including an electrode; a wire guide adapted to direct a wire toward the electrode; a wire alignment assembly including a fixture frame having a wire guide holder mounted thereon, the wire guide being supported on the wire guide holder, wherein the wire alignment assembly includes multiple degrees of freedom for adjusting the position of the wire guide as needed for a given welding operation.

Abstract: A welding carriage traveling with a welding torch mounted thereon includes: a carriage body; and a torch supporting part disposed between the front and rear ends of carriage body and supporting a tip of the welding torch in a state of positioning on a side surface side of the carriage body and facing diagonally downward. The torch supporting part includes a torch swinging unit and a weaving unit. The torch swinging unit includes a torch swinging mechanism which swings the tip of the welding torch in a forward and rearward direction of the carriage body, and thereby moves tip close to the welding line. The weaving unit includes a weaving mechanism which operates so as to integrally rotate a unit case and a torch mounting bar of the torch swinging unit about a screw, thereby to cause the welding torch to perform a weaving operation.

Abstract: In a method for controlling pulse arc welding where an arc is created between a wire and a base material, a pulse waveform different from the pulse waveform for steady-state welding is outputted when a predetermined time has passed since short-circuit welding control was started at arc start, and after a sufficiently large melt pool is formed, the pulse waveform for the steady-state welding is outputted. This reduces the generation of spatters after an arc is created and until the arc is stabilized.

Abstract: A welding bug (1) comprising a welding torch (3) for welding in a groove (19). The welding torch (3) is mounted for rotational movement about an axis (21) that is substantially horizontal, relative to the welding bug, (typically tangential to a pipe during use) so that the torch is moveable, during use of the welding bug (1) when arranged to enable the torch to weld in a groove, between (i) an operating position, and (ii) a disengaged position in which the welding torch is positioned away from the groove (19). The welding bug may be less cumbersome and more compact than some known arrangements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a robot pre-heat and inter-pass welding device that is capable of pre-heating and welding one or more weld joints using a single robot. Pre-heating and welding models are used to ensure that a desirable pre-heat temperature is maintained on the weld piece at the location of the weld. Infrared temperature sensors are utilized to detect temperature of the weld piece, which are transmitted to a controller, which controls the operation of both the pre-heating and welding. Multiple welds can be performed if additional time is needed for cooling, which reduces the overall time required to perform the welding process.

Abstract: A welding carriage has a frame that is adjustable in width and height and is guided by the sides of a workpiece. First and second wheel assemblies support the frame upon the workpiece, the first and second wheel assemblies forcibly engaging the sides of the workpiece for guiding the frame along a path substantially parallel thereto. The frame comprises two opposing lateral sides interconnected by a linkage therebetween. The linkage can be actuated to adjust a coarse width of the frame, dimensional variations being handles by biased guide wheels of the second wheel assembly. Each of the opposing lateral sides further has vertically adjustable leg posts for adjusting a vertical height of the frame.

Abstract: A welding machine that includes a machine frame having an opening permitting access to an interchangeable tooling module installed on the machine. The welding machine includes one or more light curtains covering the opening to disable operation of one or more welding stations on the tooling module if the light curtain is breached by an operator, robot, or other object. The welding machine includes a selector arm attached to the machine frame at a location between a first end and a second end of the opening. The selector arm can be moved into and out of position at the opening to selectively define either a single light curtain across the opening or a pair of adjacent light curtains that permit separate operation and access to separate welding stations behind each of the two light curtains.

Abstract: A welding apparatus is provided for carrying a welding gun across or past a surface for making welds. The apparatus may include one or more rolling components, such as wheels for example, that do not substantially plastically deform as a result of contacting or being in close proximity to recently completed welds or preheated joints and provide adequate traction to move the apparatus across or past the surface. A portion of the contact surface of the rolling component may be configured with a given surface roughness to provide sufficient traction.

Abstract: An invention is provided which comprises a welding carriage having a base, rear wheel assemblies disposed at one end of the base, a first front wheel assembly attachment member disposed on a second side of the base, and a first front wheel assembly configured to removably engage with the front wheel assembly attachment member to securely couple with the base. The welding carriage may also include a second front wheel assembly attachment member disposed on a second side of the base, and a second front wheel assembly configured to removably engage with at least the at least one front wheel assembly attachment member to securely couple with the base. The carriage may also include at least two welding attachment portions, where both welding attachment portions have the same cross-sectional characteristics.

Abstract: An annular facing is machined in an inside surface of the spherical wall around the periphery of a zone where the wall has a bore for securing the tube passing therethrough. A first welding material is deposited in the facing, and the bore is made by drilling through a portion of the spherical wall that is surrounded by the facing. The tube is engaged tightly in the bore, and a second welding material is deposited in the facing at the periphery of the tube in order to weld the tube to the first welding material. At least one of the operations of depositing the first and second welding materials in the facing is performed automatically by causing a welding torch to turn around the axis of the bore while moving the torch in a direction that is parallel to the axis of the bore and while causing it to pivot about an axis that is orthogonal to the axis of the bore while rotation is taking place.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for a trackless autonomous crawling all-position arc welding robot with wheels and permanent magnet caterpillar belts. A sensor detects a welding seam position and transmits the position to a tracking controller. The tracking controller sends instructions to a welding torch which may be moved in generally horizontal and vertical directions based upon the instructions. Additionally, a crawler drive controller receives the welding seam position and sends a control signal to an AC servomotor drive that positions the crawler based on the control signal.

Abstract: In the tracking welder, left and right side wheels are supported rotatably by a pair of bearing units that are pivotally attached on a carriage, and this carriage is provided with a driving source for running the carriage, a transmission system for transmitting a rotational motion of the driving source to the left and right side wheels, a welding torch, a sensor for detecting a route to be welded, a track-controlling motor to be rotate in forward and backward directions in response to a detection signal of the sensor, and a steering system for turning the bearing units in an amount corresponding to a rotational amount of the track-controlling motor. According to this tracking welder, it is possible to automatically perform various kinds of welding including not only fillet welding of a corner between horizontally placed steel plate and web plate erected on the steel plate, but also butt welding of steel plates, for example.

Abstract: A tracking welder, which is provided with a carriage traveling in the forward and backward direction, a welding torch mounted on the carriage, a weaving driver for weaving the welding torch, a tracking system for running the carriage along a predetermined welding line, and a welding torch holder for holding the welding torch through the weaving driver and holding the weaving driver adjustably so as to shift the weaving direction of the welding torch around the center of a weaving path. According to this welder, it is possible to carry out fillet welding without causing unbalance of deposit metal between sides on a carriage running face and a tracking face, not only in a case the welding is carried out on a nearly horizontal carriage running face and a nearly vertical carriage running face, but also even in a case the welding is carried out on an inclined carriage running face.

Abstract: In the tracking welder, left and right side wheels are supported rotatably by a pair of bearing units that are pivotally attached on a carriage, and this carriage is provided with a driving source for running the carriage, a transmission system for transmitting a rotational motion of the driving source to the left and right side wheels, a welding torch, a sensor for detecting a route to be welded, a track-controlling motor to be rotate in forward and backward directions in response to a detection signal of the sensor, and a steering system for turning the bearing units in an amount corresponding to a rotational amount of the track-controlling motor. According to this tracking welder, it is possible to automatically perform various kinds of welding including not only fillet welding of a corner between horizontally placed steel plate and web plate erected on the steel plate, but also butt welding of steel plates, for example.

Abstract: The welding apparatus has a positioner (1) provided with workpiece supporting means (11) which is rotatable about a first central axis (Ca) and is pivotable up and down about a second central axis (Cb) crossing the first central axis (Ca). A welding robot (2) includes a robot body (20) mounted on the workpiece supporting means (11). Therefore, even when the workpiece supporting means (11) operates, it is possible to prevent a torch (3) carried by the robot body (20) from positionally deviating relative to a workpiece (W) supported on the work supporting means (11).

Abstract: A constant linear weld speed process provides constant linear weld speed welding on circular and non-circular weld profiles. A constant linear weld speed device includes a weld fixture for holding a part such as a catalytic converter part, to be welded along a weld profile, the weld fixture having a shape that is substantially the same as said weld profile. A device, such as a constant rpm drive motor, is employed to rotate the part in the weld fixture about the central axis of the weld fixture. A movable weld torch, held to the weld fixture and disposed at an approximately 90° angle to the weld profile surface, is adapted to travel radially in and out so as to follow the weld fixture profile and provide a constant linear weld speed as the weld fixture and the part rotate about the central axis. In an alternate embodiment, the weld torch is adapted to move radially and pivotally.