Abstract: A drive assembly is provided for driving welding wire through a welding wire feeder. The drive assembly comprises an insulating base and a conductive base secured to one another. Both bases have features that allow for mounting in the wire feeder and for mounting various drive components. The conductive base is energized during operation, and the isolative base insulates the conductive base from components of the wire feeder enclosure. Features of the assembly improve operation and facilitate assembly.

Abstract: A mock welding unicoupon for a virtual welding system includes a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface perpendicular to the first exterior surface. The first exterior surface and the second exterior surface together provide a plurality of grooves configured for simulation of a plurality of different types groove welds on the mock welding unicoupon. A curved exterior surface is configured for simulation of a pipe fillet weld on the mock welding unicoupon. A magnet source is configured to generate a magnetic field around the mock welding unicoupon for tracking movements of a mock welding tool with respect to the mock welding unicoupon.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wire guiding liner, in particular a welding wire liner, having a plurality of guiding bodies which are pivotable with respect to each other around a defined pivot axis. At least one biasing device is provided which acts between adjacent guiding bodies so as to push them apart while still allowing the liner to bend under pressure.

Abstract: A conductor tube for use in a welding gun, and preferably a MIG welding gun, is provided that includes a plurality of flex joints. The flex joints include a body defining a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, a cap secured to the proximal end portion of the body, and an extension mounted within the distal end portion of the body, the extension being repositionable within the body. The body, the extension, and the cap are adapted for attachment to each other and to adjacent components of the welding gun. Additionally, a conductor tube for use in a welding gun includes a plurality of thermally and electrically conductive elements secured to each other and extending along a length of the conductor tube, wherein the elements are independently repositionable relative to each other.

Abstract: A retaining head for a MIG welding device includes a contact tip mounting end, an opposite retaining head mounting end, and a throughbore extending from one of the ends to the other end. A deflector is disposed along the throughbore and is adjustable for imparting a bend in welding wire passing through the throughbore. The deflector provides a straight wire contour for the welding wire that is fed out of the welding torch, while maintaining sufficient contact force between the welding wire and the contact tip. The deflector also reduces the effect of wire twist on the contact point between the welding wire and the contact tip.

Abstract: A flexible guide device for a welding wire, formed by a plurality of individual elements which are connected to each other in an articulated manner, characterized in that the individual elements are adapted to swivel in relation to each other in any direction.

Abstract: A connector for connecting a welding torch, where the connector body and the house are made of insulating material and designed as a unit in one piece connected by a rear wall. The connector includes an insert made of electrically conductive material carrying a threaded surface made of electrically conductive material and a contact surface. The insert can be fitted in a nest formed by a side surface of the connector body part and a surface of the house part opposite to the side surface. An opening on the sidewall of the house part provides access to the side surface of the insert for connecting the side surface to a current, and the insert is secured rotationally in the nest.

Abstract: A welding wire guiding liner has a plurality of guiding bodies connected to each other, each of the guiding bodies containing a plurality of rolling elements defining a guiding channel for the welding wire. Each guiding body has a ring which is coaxial with the guiding channel and is freely rotatable in a peripheral direction on the body. The ring is connected to the adjacent guiding body by means of a swivel joint which allows the adjacent guiding body to swivel around a swivel axis with respect to the guiding body provided with the ring.

Abstract: A self-adjusting liner assembly for a welding torch includes an elongated tubular main body having forward and rearward ends. An elongated tubular retainer including a shoulder is mountable in the main body. An elongated tubular piston including a shoulder cooperates with the retainer in a telescoping relationship in the main body. A resilient member is disposed in the main body and envelops a portion of the retainer and the piston. The resilient member urges the shoulders away from each other and the tubular piston toward the forward end of the main body.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cable casing for the guidance of a wire (2), in particular a welding wire, that includes: a series of supports of a first type (101) for first guidance assemblies (111) for the wire, with each including roller devices (231), a series of supports of a second type (102) for second guidance assemblies (112) for the wire, with each including roller devices (232), and with the supports of the second guidance assemblies being positioned alternately with the supports of the first guidance assemblies, and, for each support of a type framed by supports upstream and downstream of another type, first articulation means (15) in at least one direction of articulation (A) between a support of one type with the upstream support of another type, and second articulation means, between the said support of one type with the downstream support of another type.

Abstract: A welding implement includes a torch having a flexible torch head. The torch head is operable to conduct electricity to a welding electrode disposed within the torch head. The welding implement may include a gas supply tube and a coiled wire spring operable to flexibly couple the gas supply tube to the torch head. The welding implement may include a torch that directs a fluid to flow axially through a spring coupled the torch head. The welding implement may also include a torch including a torch head and a tripod support system to flexibly support the torch head. Each of the legs of the tripod support system may include a spring.

Abstract: A conductor tube for use in a welding gun, and preferably a MIG welding gun, is provided that includes a plurality of flex joints. The flex joints include a body defining a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, a cap secured to the proximal end portion of the body, and an extension mounted within the distal end portion of the body, the extension being repositionable within the body. The body, the extension, and the cap are adapted for attachment to each other and to adjacent components of the welding gun. Additionally, a conductor tube for use in a welding gun includes a plurality of thermally and electrically conductive elements secured to each other and extending along a length of the conductor tube, wherein the elements are independently repositionable relative to each other.

Abstract: A positionable welding torch for a welding system is featured. The torch comprises a torch head, a handle, and a flexible portion coupled to the torch head and the handle. The flexible portion is adapted to enable the torch head to be positioned relative to the handle. The flexible portion has a first end, a second end, and a rigid restraining member adapted to cooperate with the first and second ends to limit the relative displacement of the first and second ends. The restraining member may comprise a restraining portion adapted to abut one of the first and second end portions. The restraining member also may comprise a biasing portion adapted to bias the restraining portion into engagement with one of the first and second end portions. A method for assembling a welding torch having a restraining member also is featured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a strain relief mechanism for a plasma arc torch. In particular, the invention relates to a strain relief system including a positive axial restraint component for restraining axial movement of a lead relative to a housing and a positive rotational restraint component for restraining rotational movement of the lead relative to the housing, wherein the positive axial restraint component and the positive rotational restraint component are independent components arranged in a spaced relationship relative to each other.

Abstract: The invention describes a welding torch (1), consisting of a main body (2) comprising at least one part, in which a feed device (10) for a welding rod (7) is disposed and which is joined to a connecting piece (21) in order to receive a contact pipe (23). A guide device (32) for the welding rod (7) is being disposed in the feed device (10) extending at an angle in the direction from the connecting piece (21) into the contact pipe (23). A bore (36) for the welding rod (7) and a guide bore (37) of a larger diameter (40) concentric therewith for the guide device (32) is provided in the contact pipe (23), the guide device (32) extending into the guide bore (37) of the contact pipe (23).