Abstract: A spool gun having a very unique look, due to its arrangement of features. The spool gun has its wire spool compartment located below the handle and the user's hand, when the user is gripping the spool gun in an operational position. Operably connected to the wire spool compartment is wire spool brake configured to engage with the wire wraps. The brake can have a lock and/or a wire spool life indicator. The wire spool compartment has a cover that is non-threadedly engaged. The feed rate of the wire from the wire spool compartment can be adjusted by a control device, such as a knob, located proximate the user's hand, when the user is gripping the spool gun in the operational position.

Abstract: A welding or additive manufacturing contact tip includes an electrically-conductive body extending from a proximal end of the body to a distal end of the body. The body forms a first bore terminating at a first exit orifice at a distal end face of the body, and a second bore terminating at a second exit orifice at the distal end face of the body. The first and second exit orifices are separated from each other by a distance configured to facilitate formation of a bridge droplet between a first wire electrode delivered through the first bore and a second wire electrode delivered through the second bore during a deposition operation.

Abstract: A semiconductor module arrangement includes an input stage including a first output terminal and a second output terminal, wherein a first inductive element is coupled to the first output terminal; an output stage including at least one first controllable semiconductor element, a third input terminal coupled to the first inductive element such that the first inductive element is coupled between the first output terminal and the third input terminal, a fourth input terminal coupled to the second output terminal, a third output terminal, and a fourth output terminal; a second controllable semiconductor element and a first capacitive element coupled in series and between a first common node coupled between the first inductive element and the third input terminal, and a second common node coupled between the second output terminal and the fourth input terminal; and a first diode element coupled in parallel to the second controllable semiconductor element.

Abstract: A 3D printing head having a carrier, a pair of nozzle assemblies, a swing arm and a driving mechanism is provided. The nozzle assemblies are arranged on the carrier. Each nozzle assembly has a nozzle and a reset elastic member. Each nozzle is connected to the carrier and up-down movable relative to the carrier. The reset elastic members are connected between the carrier and the respective corresponding nozzles. The swing arm is pivoted on the carrier and able to swing one end thereof between the nozzles to selectively press one of the nozzles down. The driving mechanism is connected with the swing arm to rotate the swing arm. The swing arm can be rotated by the driving mechanism to press the operated nozzle down for printing, and a height difference between the nozzles is thereby formed to prevent the product from being scratched by the idle nozzle when printing.

Abstract: A wire conveying mechanism, preferably for a welding, cladding or additive manufacturing apparatus, with a slip clutch mechanism connectable to a motor. Such a wire conveying mechanism may include a wire feeder for feeding an electrode wire in a welding system having a drive roller assembly comprising a plurality of drive rollers to grip the electrode wire and to pull the electrode wire from an electrode wire source toward a conduit and a torque-managing device operatively coupled between a motor and the drive roller assembly, wherein the torque-managing device receives the rotational force from the first motor and regulates the first torque to output a second torque to the drive roller assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an improved friction-fused welded joint is provided for use with overlapping thermoplastic strap portions. In an embodiment, the gripper is caused to swing back and force with a sufficiently large stroke and with a sufficiently fast stroke to cause sufficient reciprocation to rapidly heat the thermoplastic so that the two straps are welded together while reducing the depth of the area that is melted compared to traditional methods. Also, in an embodiment, a method is provided for stopping the relative motion of the two portions of straps with the portions of the plastic straps oriented in the same aligned relative positions at the end of the welding operation as at the beginning is disclosed.

Abstract: An arc welding apparatus includes a conductor tube assembly that has a collar assembly with a collar body that is biased by a spring. A consumable assembly is mechanically secured to the conductor tube and displaces the collar body and the collar body imparts a biasing force against the consumable assembly pretensioning the consumable assembly on the conductor tube assembly.

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 system includes a welding torch assembly including a body, a first feed roll, a second feed roll, and a lever. The first and second feed rolls are both configured to rotate with respect to the body, and the first and second feed rolls are disposed opposite from one another about a welding wire feed region. The lever is configured to pivot at a first end of the lever about a lever joint of the body, and the second feed roll is movable between a first position and a second position in response to movement of a second end of the lever. The second feed roll is adjacent to the first feed roll in the first position, the second feed roll is not adjacent to the first feed roll in the second position, and the lever is configured to maintain the feed roll in the second position.

Abstract: A semi-automatic brazing apparatus having a brazing wire feeding apparatus containing a brazing wire feed mechanism, a controller, and a user input device. The brazing wire from a brazing wire source is continuously drawn from the source through the apparatus via the feeding mechanism and is directed towards a brazing gun for a semi-automatic brazing operation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses various methods for repairing a side seal region of a transition duct aft frame region. Embodiments of the present invention include application of a braze filler material to worn locations of seal teeth, brazing of a braze preform to the seal teeth or removal of a worn seal tooth and brazing of material compatible with the transition duct to form a replacement tooth of the side seal. The transition duct is brazed in a furnace in an incremental heated process which elevates the transition duct to a temperature where the braze filler material adheres to the side seal region while also providing a stress relief to the transition duct.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an improved friction-fused welded joint is provided for use with overlapping thermoplastic strap portions. In an embodiment, the gripper is caused to swing back and force with a sufficiently large stroke and with a sufficiently fast stroke to cause sufficient reciprocation to rapidly heat the thermoplastic so that the two straps are welded together while reducing the depth of the area that is melted compared to traditional methods. Also, in an embodiment, a method is provided for stopping the relative motion of the two portions of straps with the portions of the plastic straps oriented in the same relative positions at the end of the welding operation as at the beginning is disclosed.

Abstract: A contact tip is provided for wire welding applications. The contact tip includes one or more conductive brushes fitted to a conductive contact tip body. Fibers of the brush extend into a passageway traversed by welding wire in operation. Electrical current is transmitted to the brush assembly and through the brush fibers to the welding wire. The fibers may transmit the current directly and also may enhance contact of the welding wire with one or more walls of the contact tip. Improved electrical contact and weld quality are obtained.

Abstract: A handheld filler wire advancement device is provided. The device includes a casing having an opening extending axially through the casing for receiving a rod of filler wire, wherein the casing comprises a feed rate selection feature that enables selection of a desired filler wire feed rate and a pull back to feed forward ratio selection feature that enables selection of a pull back to feed forward ratio. The device also includes a drive assembly disposed within the casing and adapted to contact the rod of filler wire to advance and retract the rod of filler wire within the opening of the casing consistent with the desired filler wire feed rate and the pull back to feed forward ratio. Further, the device includes a motor disposed within the casing and coupled to the drive assembly to provide the drive assembly with power for movement of the rod of filler wire.

Abstract: The invention includes a wire feed system that is used within a welder, the system having a forward drive roll that rotates in a first direction, a reverse drive roll that rotates in a second direction, which is opposite the first direction, wherein the forward drive roll and the reverse drive roll are both located on a first side of a wire, a first idle roll disposed opposite the forward drive roll, a second idle roll disposed opposite the reverse drive roll, wherein the first idle roll and the second idle roll are located on a second side of the wire, an arm that pivotally couples the first idle roll to the second idle roll, and an actuator that displaces the first idle roll to engage with the forward drive roll to advance the wire or displaces the second idle roll to engage with the reverse drive roll to retract the wire based upon a predetermined condition.

Abstract: The subject embodiments relate to a retractable wire feed system used within a welder, which include a friction-drive system disposed on a first side of a wire, an idle drive roll located opposite the friction-drive system on a second side of a wire, wherein the friction-drive system advances the wire through a welding nozzle toward a workpiece, and a brake, which is applied to retract the wire when a predetermined condition is met.

Abstract: A system and method to correct for height error during a robotic welding additive manufacturing process. One or both of a welding output current and a wire feed speed are sampled during a robotic welding additive manufacturing process when creating a current weld layer. A plurality of instantaneous contact tip-to-work distances (CTWD's) are determined based on at least one or both of the welding output current 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 weld layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with embodiments of the present invention are directed to depositing a consumable onto a workpiece using a hot-wire welding technique which employs a combination of hot wire and arc welding. The waveform creates arc events during the hot wire welding operation to add/control heat in the welding process. The hot-wire welding process can be used by itself, with a laser or in conjunction with other welding processes.

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: Nonlinear adaptive welders and power source controls are provided along with welding methods method for regulating a welding process, in which one or more welding waveform parameters are adapted in nonlinear fashion based on measured welding process feedback information.

Abstract: An arc welding apparatus includes: a driver for advancing and retreating a welding consumable with respect to a workpiece to generate a short circuit condition and an arc condition; a state detector for detecting respective starts of the short circuit condition and the arc condition based on a voltage between the workpiece and the welding consumable; a time detector for detecting that an elapsed time from the start of the short circuit condition reaches a reference time using a time shorter than an estimated continuation time of the short circuit condition as the reference time; and a power controller for reducing an electric current between the workpiece and the welding consumable corresponding to a state where the elapsed time reaches the reference time and raising the electric current after the start of the arc condition.

Abstract: An arc welding apparatus includes: a welding-condition acquirer configured to acquire a welding condition; a heat-input calculator configured to calculate a required heat input corresponding to the welding condition; a frequency setter configured to set a smaller frequency for a short circuit condition and an arc condition corresponding to an increase in the required heat input; and a driver configured to repeatedly perform a process at the frequency, the process including advancing and retreating a welding consumable with respect to a workpiece to generate the short circuit condition and the arc condition.

Abstract: An arc welding apparatus includes a difference calculator configured to calculate a difference voltage value by subtracting a welding voltage value from a target voltage value; a speed setter configured to set an advancing speed and a retreating speed of a welding consumable with respect to a workpiece to increase a ratio of a magnitude of the retreating speed to a magnitude of the advancing speed corresponding to an increase in the difference voltage value; and a driver configured to drive the welding consumable at the advancing speed and the retreating speed to generate a short circuit condition and an arc condition.

Abstract: A pair of thick steel plates are set up side by side such that an I groove with a narrow gap is formed between the facing edges of the plates, and a welding wire projecting from a welding torch of an arc welding unit with a constant voltage characteristic is inserted into the I groove obliquely from above with respect to the thickness direction of the plates. The welding torch is moved vertically while the distal end of the welding wire is caused to reciprocate inside the I groove in the thickness direction. At this time, the wire feed rate Vf is varied and also the extension L of the welding wire is increased or decreased so as to keep welding current Iw at a target value. Further, the wire feed rate Vf is subjected to incremental/decremental correction according to the moving direction of the torch.

Abstract: An arc welding system and methods. The system is capable of monitoring variables during a welding process, according to wave shape states, and weighting the variables accordingly, detecting defects of a weld, diagnosing possible causes of the defects, quantifying overall quality of a weld, obtaining and using data indicative of a good weld, improving production and quality control for an automated welding process, teaching proper welding techniques, identifying cost savings for a welding process, and deriving optimal welding settings to be used as pre-sets for different welding processes or applications.

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing and using the auxiliary power conversion unit, which is capable of being remotely located from a welding power supply unit during a welding operation, are provided. In some embodiments, the auxiliary power conversion is capable of outputting DC as well as AC power, capable of outputting multiple voltages consistent with the demands of typical auxiliary tools, such as a hand grinder or a light. In certain embodiments, the power conversion unit may be a stand-alone system or may be incorporated into a device, such as a wire feeder, which is configured to derive power from the arc potential. The power conversion unit may contain control and processing electronics that may include a controller, a processor, memory, and so forth.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a wire. The apparatus includes at least one pair of rotatable rollers and at least one curved or curvable force-generating element. The at least one curved or curvable force-generating element is capable of applying a force via a proximal end of the at least one curved or curvable force-generating element to displace a first roller of the at least one pair of rotatable rollers towards a second roller of the at least one pair of the rotatable rollers to engage a wire there between. The apparatus further includes an adjustment mechanism operationally connected at a distal end of the at least one curved or curvable force-generating element to allow adjustment of the applied force.

Abstract: The invention includes a wire feed system that is used within a welder, the system having a forward drive roll that rotates in a first direction, a reverse drive roll that rotates in a second direction, which is opposite the first direction, wherein the forward drive roll and the reverse drive roll are both located on a first side of a wire, a first idle roll disposed opposite the forward drive roll, a second idle roll disposed opposite the reverse drive roll, wherein the first idle roll and the second idle roll are located on a second side of the wire, an arm that pivotally couples the first idle roll to the second idle roll, and an actuator that displaces the first idle roll to engage with the forward drive roll to advance the wire or displaces the second idle roll to engage with the reverse drive roll to retract the wire based upon a predetermined condition.

Abstract: The subject embodiments relate to a retractable wire feed system used within a welder, which include a friction-drive system disposed on a first side of a wire, an idle drive roll located opposite the friction-drive system on a second side of a wire, wherein the friction-drive system advances the wire through a welding nozzle toward a workpiece, and a brake, which is applied to retract the wire when a predetermined condition is met.

Abstract: If a short circuit does not occur during deceleration of a wire feed speed in forward feed of a welding wire before the wire feed speed reaches a predetermined wire feed speed, a cyclic change is stopped and the wire feed speed is constantly controlled at the first feed speed. If a short circuit occurs during forward feed at the first feed speed, deceleration from the first feed speed starts, and the cyclic change is resumed for welding. This achieves uniform weld bead without increasing spatters even if any external disturbance such as change of distance between a tip and base material occurs.

Abstract: Welding wire feeders and a stick electrode holder capable of providing auxiliary electric power from a welding power source via an electrode cable to an auxiliary welding tool. A welding output of the welding power source may be switched between a regulated primary power and a regulated auxiliary power. An auxiliary welding tool, when connected to the welding wire feeder or the stick electrode holder, may use the regulated auxiliary power provided via the electrode cable when the regulated auxiliary power is selected.

Abstract: If a short circuit does not occur during deceleration of a wire feed speed in forward feed of a welding wire before the wire feed speed reaches a predetermined wire feed speed, a cyclic change is stopped and the wire feed speed is constantly controlled at the first feed speed. If a short circuit occurs during forward feed at the first feed speed, deceleration from the first feed speed starts, and the cyclic change is resumed for welding. This achieves uniform weld bead without increasing spatters even if any external disturbance such as change of distance between a tip and base material occurs.

Abstract: The subject embodiments relate to a wire feed system that is used with a welder. The wire feed system includes a pair of counter-rotating discs disposed along a common longitudinal axis that are spaced apart a first width. A first disc rotates in a first direction and a second disc rotates in a second direction which is opposite the first direction. A drive roll is disposed between the first disc and the second disc within the first width. An engaging member moves the drive roll adjacent to either the first disc or the second disc based on a predetermined condition to advance or retract wire relative to a workpiece within the welding system.

Abstract: A semi-automatic brazing apparatus having a brazing wire feeding apparatus containing a brazing wire feed mechanism a controller, and a user input device. The brazing wire from a brazing wire source is continuously drawn from the source through the apparatus via the feeding mechanism and is directed towards a brazing gun for a semi-automatic brazing operation.

Abstract: A portable welding system is disclosed that may be used for TIG and stick welding processes. The welding system comprises a soft-pack carrying case for transporting a number of welding elements. The carrying case includes deflectable walls that form an interior cavity configured to contain the welding elements for transport. The carrying case further includes a set of wheels, a retractable handle, and a fixed handle. The user may either roll the case via the wheels and retractable handle or lift the system via the fixed handles. Finally, the carrying case includes means to seal the interior cavity of the case to further contain the welding elements during transport or long durations of inactivity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of communicating control signals to a welding power source from a remote location includes a welding system operated by control signals transmitted by a wireless remote control that can be remotely located from the welding power source. A plurality of welding parameters in the welding system are set and adjusted in response to wireless command signals transmitted to a controller including a control transceiver located on the welding power source. In this regard, an operator is able to quickly and efficiently control a welding system from a remote location, with no more cables than are necessary to perform the intended task.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding uses a power circuit and a controller connected to the power circuit. The controller included a welding program having a limited term. The program may be part of a system, or a stand alone program. The controller has a data port and the welding program and/or an authorization is received by the controller on the data port in one embodiment. The welding program includes a limited time module, a limited time in use module, a limited arc start module, a controlled short circuit program, and/or a pulse program in various embodiments. A second welding program, without a limited term module, may be provided.

Abstract: A welding system includes a welding wire feeder, a welding power supply, and a sensor. The power supply is coupled to the welding wire feeder and configured to produce a welding arc. The sensor is configured to sense a parameter indicative of a size of a welding wire fed through the welding wire feeder. The sensor is configured to send a signal to the power supply, the signal representing the parameter indicative of the size of the welding wire. The power supply is configured to automatically implement at least one of an arc starting parameter or a welding parameter based on the signal.

Abstract: This invention is to plasma arc weld using a keyhole mode to build a partially-penetrated keyhole and then a melt-in mode to finally reach the full penetration before switching to the base period. The full penetration is thus established during the peak period in two stages: keyhole stage and then melt-in stage. While the keyhole stage helps reduce the heat inputs and weld puddles, the melt-in stage finishes the full penetration at reduced impacts from the plasma jets producing the desired weld bead geometry and regularity. The duration of the melt-in stage is automatically determined using arc signals to assure the full penetration. In comparison with keyhole PAW, bead geometry and regularity are significantly improved with slightly increased net heat inputs. In comparison with melt-in PAW and GTAW, the net heat input is reduced approximately forty percent.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method to determine the weld joint penetration from arc voltage measurements in gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). It is based on an observation on the dynamic weld pool surface in GTAW—the surface tends to first expand toward the electrode and then be pushed away from the electrode after full penetration is established. For the pool surface in GTAW, localized partial keyholes around the arc axis as in plasma are welding are not significant. The pool surface is relatively smooth. The arc voltage that reflects changes in the arc length thus first tends to reduce and then increases after full penetration is established. This invention thus tracks the arc voltage until the decrease slope becomes insignificant. Once full penetration is established, the current is reduced to decrease the weld penetration or first decrease the penetration growth for a certain period and then decrease the weld penetration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transporting a welding wire (13), comprising at least one pair of rollers (55) consisting of drive roller (32) and a pressure roller (31) and a device (28) which is used to clamp a welding wire (13), in addition to a roller, in particular a drive roller (32), an intermediate piece (49), a threading device (74), a automatically centering device (80) and a device (85) which is used to detect the transportation speed of the welding wire (13). The pressure roller (31) is mounted in a pivotable pressure lever (29) in order to produce the most smallest, compact and easy to handle wire transporting device (27) possible and the clamping device (28) comprises a clamping bar (37) which can be connected to the pressure lever (29) in order to fix and pressurize.

Abstract: A method and system to start and use a combination wire feed and energy source system for any of brazing, cladding, building up, filling, and hard-facing overlaying applications. High intensity energy is applied onto a workpiece to heat the workpiece. One or more resistive filler wires are fed toward the workpiece at or just in front of the applied high intensity energy. Sensing of when a distal end of the one or more resistive filler wires makes contact with the workpiece at or near the applied high intensity energy is accomplished. Electric heating current to the one or more resistive filler wires is controlled based on whether or not the distal end of the one or more resistive filler wires is in contact with the workpiece. The applied high intensity energy and the one or more resistive filler wires are moved in a same direction along the workpiece in a fixed relation to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic or hand held welding is disclosed and includes a power circuit with a controller. The controller has a robot detector. A hand-held module and a robot interface are responsive to the robot detector. A user interface provides welding parameter setpoints to the hand held module when the robot detector detects a gun, or the absence of a robot. When a gun is present, the trigger on the gun is used to cause power to be provided, and/or welding parameters are set by the user interface on the system. When a robot is present the robot controls the process. The detection is done at start-up, or at other times.

Abstract: The invention relates to a welding method and a welding system that use a welding torch, the position of which is determined. In order to develop such a welding method and system, with which it is possible to reliably determine the position of the welding torch in three dimensions, it is provided that a signal is emitted by a transmitter, the signal being received by at least one sensor which is integrated in or is associated with the welding torch, the received data readings being sent to an evaluation unit, which determines values relating to the position of the welding torch in three dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method of remotely controlling a welding machine with command signals transmitted to the welding power source across a weld cable connecting the power source to a remote device, such a wire feeder. A transmitter transmits the control commands containing desired welding operational parameters to a receiver disposed in the power source across a weld cable also designed to carry welding power from the power source to the wire feeder.

Abstract: A data structure for weld programs associates configuration data for a welding system with a plurality of weld programs and weld sequence data. The data structure allows the welding system to be configured for a particular part, operator, or stage in a welding process, and to be easily reconfigured when the part, operator, or stage changes, providing improved efficiency and flexibility in operation.

Abstract: An arc welding apparatus includes a main power supply circuit for outputting an arc current, a control circuit for controlling the main power supply circuit, and a high-frequency voltage generating circuit for generating a high-frequency voltage. When an operation switch is turned on for a first time since the apparatus is powered on, the control circuit activates the main power supply circuit to output a high voltage, and the high-frequency voltage generating circuit to generate a high-frequency voltage. With the high voltage superimposed on the high-frequency voltage, the control circuit passes a welding arc current through a torch and a base material. The switch is then turned off, and the control circuit passes a pilot arc current through the torch and the base material. The switch is turned on again, and the control circuit activates the main power supply circuit to output a high voltage, thereby allowing smooth arc transition.

Abstract: A weld data acquisition system collects data from the weld controller according to user selected collection parameters. The weld data acquisition system is able to transmit the data at high frequency to a weld data software utility that provides a user interface.

Abstract: In a welding torch including a torch housing (28) and, preferably, a tube bend (29) capable of being fastened thereto, wherein a drive unit (30) for feeding a welding wire (13) is arranged in the torch housing (29) and the drive unit (30) is formed by at least one pair of rollers, in particular a drive roller (31) and a pressure roller (32), as well as a drive motor, a part of the torch housing (28) is designed as a component of the drive unit (30). A rotor (45), in particular a motor shaft (46), of the drive motor (33) is fastened to the torch housing (28) via a bearing, in particular via bearings (43, 44), to stabilize and position the rotor (45).

Abstract: A system and method for welding arc termination are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for controlling a welding process includes receiving a signal indicating an operator intention to terminate a welding arc and stopping advance of a welding wire in response to the signal. The method also includes reducing a conduction angle for switching of solid state switches that generate welding power in response to the signal.