Abstract: The disclosure relates to the manufacture of metal articles, more specifically the manufacture of metal articles by additive manufacturing techniques, and in particular to the manufacture of metal articles by an additive manufacturing technique that may involve the selective melting or sintering of a metal powder. Examples of such techniques may include selective laser melting (SLM), selective laser sintering (SLS) and techniques that use an electron beam rather than a laser. Exemplary embodiments include a method of manufacture of an article including selective melting and/or sintering of a powder including an alloy containing aluminium, wherein the alloy contains bismuth.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide excellent liquid metal embrittlement cracking resistance to an arc-welded structural member using a Zn—Al—Mg based alloy coated steel plate member without restriction of the species of steel for a base steel for coating and without much increase in cost. [Solution to Problem] In a method for producing an arc-welded structural member containing a step of joining steel members by gas-shielded arc-welding to manufacture a welded structural member, at least one of the members to be joined is a hot dip Zn—Al—Mg based alloy coated steel plate member, and a shielding gas is a gas that is based on an Ar gas, a He gas or an Ar—He mixed gas and has a CO2 concentration CCO2 (% by volume) satisfying the following expression (2) in relation to a welding heat input Q (J/cm): 0?CCO2?2900Q?0.

Abstract: Weld metals and methods for welding ferritic steels are provided. The weld metals have high strength and high ductile tearing resistance and are suitable for use in strain based pipelines. The weld metals are comprised of between 0.03 and 0.08 wt % carbon, between 2.0 and 3.5 wt % nickel, not greater than about 2.0 wt % manganese, not greater than about 0.80 wt % molybdenum, not greater than about 0.70 wt % silicon, not greater than about 0.03 wt % aluminum, not greater than 0.02 wt % titanium, not greater than 0.04 wt % zirconium, between 100 and 225 ppm oxygen, not greater than about 100 ppm nitrogen, not greater than about 100 ppm sulfur, not greater than about 100 ppm phosphorus, and the balance essentially iron. The weld metals are applied using a power source with pulsed current waveform control with <5% CO2 and <2% oxygen in the shielding gas.

Abstract: Provided are a plasma-MIG welding method and a welding torch that are capable of reducing spatter amount without relying on control of a MIG welding power supply. The plasma-MIG welding method employs a plasma-MIG welding device configured from: a plasma torch section that includes a plasma nozzle and a plasma electrode; and an MIG torch that includes an MIG tip and a welding wire. The plasma torch section and the MIG torch are arranged so as to face in different directions at a predetermined distance from each other. The plasma-MIG welding method is characterized in that a plasma arc is made to locally overlap with a tip end portion of the welding wire, and in a state in which melting of the welding wire is promoted, MIG welding is carried out without short-circuiting between a workpiece and a tip end of the welding wire which is a consumable electrode.

Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method related to adjusting at least one of an arc current for a welding operation, an arc voltage for a welding operation, a wire feed speed for a welding operation, or a height of a torch that performs the welding operation. In particular, a parameter can be updated based upon, for instance, a user input, and the arc current, arc voltage, wire feed speed, or the height of the torch can be calibrated to perform the welding operation. Specifically, while a parameter is being adjusted or transitioned to the setting received via user input, the height of the torch and/or at least one of the arc current level, the arc voltage, the wire feed speed is maintained until the setting is achieved for the parameter. Once the parameter is at the setting, a second arc current level, a second arc voltage, a second wire feed speed, or second height for the torch is implemented to perform the welding operation.

Abstract: The welder interface described above may increase synergy with the welding system for the user. The welder interface receives input parameters of a desired weld from a user and advises a weld process and weld variables for producing the desired weld. The welder interface may be integral with a component of the welding system, or a separate component that may be coupled with the welding system. The welder interface may utilize data from a look-up table, neural network, welding procedure system, or database to advise the weld process and weld variables. The user may utilize the welder interface to simulate the weld process and the effect of the weld variables on a simulated weld. The user may modify the input parameters prior to producing a weld, and the user may modify the weld variables after reviewing the results of the produced weld for subsequent welding applications.

Abstract: In a flux-cored wire for welding an ultrahigh tensile strength steel, one or more of CaF2, BaF2, SrF2, and MgF2 are included in the wire and, when a total amount thereof is defined as ?, the ? is more than 2.0% and equal to or less than 8.0% in terms of mass % with respect to a total mass of the wire, one or more of Ti oxide, Si oxide, Mg oxide, and Al oxide are included in the wire and, when a total amount thereof is defined as ?, the ? is 0.01% to 1.20% in terms of mass % with respect to the total mass of the wire, a ratio of an amount of the CaF2 with respect to the ? is 0.50 or more, a ratio of the ? with respect to the ? is 2.0 to 800.0, and Ceq defined in following Expression a is 0.60% to 1.20%, Ceq=[C]+[Si]/24+[Mn]/6+[Ni]/40+[Cr]/5+[Mo]/4+[V]/14??(a).

Abstract: A method and device for gas metal arc welding, wherein a wire electrode is melted by an arc, wherein the arc burns between the wire electrode and a work piece, wherein an inert gas is supplied in the form of an inert gas flow, wherein emissions are released in the form of emission particles during gas metal arc welding, and wherein at least one flow gradient is generated in the direction of the work piece for agglomerating the emission particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing metals and metal-like substances in two and three dimensional form without a substrate in a safe, rapid and economical fashion using gas shielded arc welding equipment and programmable robotic motion. The method and apparatus includes the use and application of robotic controls, temperature and position feedback, single and multiple material feeds, and semi liquid deposition thereby creating near net shape parts particularly well suited to rapid prototyping and lower volume production.

Abstract: A method of starting a plasma arc torch is provided that includes directing a pre-flow gas and a start shield gas through the plasma arc torch during generation and transfer of a plasma arc, and switching from the pre-flow gas to a plasma gas, and switching from the start shield gas to a primary shield gas after transfer of the plasma arc to a workpiece. A method of stopping a plasma arc torch is also provided that includes directing a plasma gas and a primary shield gas through the plasma arc torch during steady-state operation, and switching from the primary shield gas to a stop shield gas during ramp down of an operating current.

Abstract: A a titanium alloy can be applied on a substrate by one of melting, welding, and depositing said titanium alloy on said substrate and solidifying said deposited or molten titanium alloy. Further, 0.01-0.4 weight % Boron can be added to said titanium alloy before or during said melting, welding or depositing said titanium alloy on said substrate.

Abstract: A method and device for gas metal arc welding, wherein a current-carrying wire electrode is melted by an arc, and wherein gas metal arc welding is performed using a filler metal, which contains at least one constituent that releases deleterious emissions through evaporation, wherein a composition that does not contain this constituent is selected for the wire electrode, and a dead weld metal containing this constituent is fed to the arc and/or a molten bath without a current.

Abstract: A system includes a welding torch assembly configured to establish a welding arc between an electrode and workpieces separated by a narrow groove utilizing power from a power supply while moving the electrode radially in a desired pattern by a motion control assembly within the welding torch assembly. The welding torch assembly includes a nozzle through which the electrode is fed and within which the electrode is radially moved.

Abstract: A welding method includes feeding a welding electrode axially from a welding torch, moving the welding electrode radially in a desired pattern with respect to a central axis of the welding torch by a motion control assembly within the welding torch, transmitting from control circuitry a signal corresponding to a position of the welding electrode relative to a weld joint or weld pool, advancing the welding torch or a workpiece to establish a weld, and transferring material from the welding electrode to a first location in an area of the weld pool. The welding electrode moves radially while feeding the welding electrode from the welding torch, the material from the welding electrode is transferred to the first location during a first cycle of the desired pattern, and the first location is controlled based at least in part on the signal.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing process, a swirling device, and a thermal management process are disclosed. The three-dimensional printing process includes distributing a material to a selected region, selectively laser melting the material, and forming a swirling device from the material. The swirling device is printed by selective laser melting. The thermal management process includes providing an article having a swirling device printed by selective laser melting, and cooling a portion of the article by transporting air through the swirling device.

Abstract: A method for gas metal arc welding, as well as to a device for gas metal arc welding and the use of an additional gas during gas metal arc welding, wherein a wire electrode is melted by an arc, wherein the arc burns between the wire electrode and a work piece, and an inert gas is supplied, and wherein an additional gas in the form of at least one additional gas flow directed toward the tip of the wire electrode is supplied in addition to the inert gas.

Abstract: An electric arc welder for creating an arc welding process between an electrode and a workpiece where the welder comprises a preregulator having a first DC signal as an input and a regulated second DC signal as an output, an unregulated isolation inverter to convert the regulated second DC signal into a DC power signal and a weld control stage for converting the DC power signal into a welding signal. A controller causes the weld control stage to conform the welding signal into a waveform to provide welding process between the electrode and the workpiece, which controller has an output control signal regulated to produce a selected waveform or waveforms and the polarity of the waveform or waveforms. A device selects one of several stored welding processes as a program and a corresponding polarity for outputting by the controller.

Abstract: A shopping cart in one embodiment comprises a uniframe, a mat basket, and a slim-fit cart frame and basket combination, as well as in multiple embodiments, providing individual structural differences and advantages over pre-existing forms of shopping carts.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing a welded joint which includes a weld metal having high strength and high toughness, and containing fewer blowholes. The process for producing a welded joint according to the present embodiment includes the steps of: preparing a base material containing, by mass %, not less than 10.5% of Cr; and subjecting the base material to GMA welding using a shielding gas containing 1 to 2 volume % or 35 to 50 volume % of CO2 gas, and the balance being inert gas, thereby forming a weld metal includes, by mass %, C: not more than 0.080%, Si: 0.20 to 1.00%, Mn: not more than 8.00%, P: not more than 0.040%, S: not more than 0.0100%, Cu: not more than 2.0%, Cr: 20.0 to 30.0%, Ni: 7.00 to 12.00%, N: 0.100 to 0.350%, O: 0.02 to 0.11%, sol. Al: not more, than 0.040%, at least one of Mo: 1.00 to 4.00% and W: 1.00 to 4.00%, and the balance being Fe and impurities.

Abstract: A welding system having a welding gun with a contact tip having an bore extending therethrough and a consumable weld wire. The cross-sectional shape of the bore of the contact tip being is essentially identical to the cross-sectional shape of the weld wire. The bore having an essentially elliptical cross-sectional shape and the weld wire having an essentially elliptical cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A welding method wherein the root gap aperture displacement is measured before welding begins, and a welding material having a Mn/S ratio and a Mn/Si ratio compatible with the measured root gap aperture displacement is selected from gas-shielded arc welding materials. Gas-shielded arc welding is then performed using the selected welding material.

Abstract: Embodiments of flux cored welding electrodes and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The flux cored welding electrodes limit brittleness of flux cored arc welds, particularly in thick weld deposits. Limiting brittleness in thick (e.g., from about 1? to about 6?) flux cored arc welds is achieved by utilizing flux cored welding electrodes having chemical compositions that reduce (as compared to presently marketed electrodes) or altogether eliminate niobium and vanadium from their chemical compositions.

Abstract: A solid wire is for gas-shielded arc welding, using a shielding gas, and for galvanized steel sheet welding. The solid wire comprises, to the mass of the whole of the solid wire, predetermined amount of C, Si, Mn, P, S, O, and Cr, with the balance consisting Fe and inevitable impurities. The solid wire satisfies “1.0?(percentage by mass of Si+that by mass of Mn)/{100(that by mass of S+that by mass of O}?4.0” and “0.50?percentage by mass of Mn/that by mass of Si?2.00”. The shielding gas is an Ar gas comprising 25 to 40% of CO2 gas. It is achieved to improve spatter-decreasing performance and pore-resisting performance (performance of restraining the generation of porosity defects, such as pits and blowholes).

Abstract: A tool welding system is disclosed that includes a table that heats a tool. A multi-axis robot includes a welding head that is moved relative to the table in response to a command. A controller is in communication with the robot and generates the command in response to welding parameters. The weld parameters are based upon a difference between an initial tool shape and a desired tool shape. The difference between the initial tool shape and the desired tool shape corresponds to a desired weld shape. The desired weld shape is adjusted based upon initial tool shape variations, which includes thermal growth of the tool. The tool is welded to provide the desired weld shape to achieve a desired tool shape.

Abstract: A method and system to weld or join coated workpieces using an arc welding operation and at least one hot wire, resistance heated wire. Each of the arc welding and hot wire operation are directed to the same puddle. However, the arc welding operation is offset out of the joint from the hot wire operation, where the hot wire is directed into the joint.

Abstract: A contact tip (1) for gas metal-arc welding comprising: A body (3) of a metal material with a tubular base portion (4) and two or more fingers (5a, 5b) extending in the axial direction from a front end of the base portion; At least one wire-feed conduit (7) extending axially through the body, in which a welding wire is to be received and fed; slots (10a, 10b) arranged between the fingers in order to space these apart, and A spring means (11) surrounding the fingers and exerting a radially acting spring force on the fingers of such strength that the fingers, when cool, are kept spaced apart, such that no pressure will be exerted on the casing surface of a welding wire introduced in the wire-feed conduit, and when heated to a temperature above the softening temperature of the metal material, are compressed by the spring force radially inward in order to exert pressure on the casing surface of a welding wire received in the wire-feed conduit.

Abstract: A welding method, in particular a tack welding method for connecting two components, preferably two components of a fuel system, wherein the regions, of the two components that are to be connected to one another are each heated, and each at least partially melted with a first energy pulse. The partially melted, regions of the two components are connected to one another through the formation of a welding seam. Preferably, after the hardening of the welding seam, a further energy pulse is directed onto the welding seam, with the stipulation that only a midsection of the welding seam is again melted.

Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method related to influencing a direction of an arc within a welding operation. Within a hot wire welding operation, an arc is generated between an electrode and a workpiece and a welding wire is energized while being supplied to a puddle formed by the electrode in order to deposit the liquefied welding wire onto the workpiece. A welder system and/or method is provided that controls a direction of the arc based on at least one of a polarity of the welding wire (via a power supply that energizes the welding wire), a location of the welding wire in proximity to the arc, a synchronization and/or de-synchronization of a polarity of the welding wire with the electrode, an activation and/or a de-activation of energizing of the welding wire, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention resides in an assembly comprising a first steel component that is joined to a second steel component by a weld joint formed in a hybrid welding process, whereby at least one of the first and second steel components comprises a through-hardened bearing steel. In the hybrid welding process, base material of the first and second steel components is melted and a moulten filler material comprising at least 90% Nickel is added. The weld joint is formed after solidification of the moulten base material and of the moulten filler material. According to the invention, the weld joint comprises a central solidified portion and a peripheral solidified portion, whereby the central solidified portion comprises at least 80% filler material and the peripheral solidified portion comprises no more than 20% filler material.

Abstract: A simulator facilitates virtual welding activity of pipe and open root weld joints. The simulator may include a logic processor based system operable to execute coded instructions for generating an interactive welding environment that emulates welding activity on a section of virtual pipe having at least one virtual weld joint. It also includes a display connected to the logic processor based system for visually depicting the interactive welding environment, wherein the display depicts the section of virtual pipe. A mock welding tool is provided for performing virtual welding activity on the at least one weld joint in real time where one or more sensors are adapted to track movement of the input device in real time for communicating data about the movement of the input device to the logic processor based system.

Abstract: A welding system includes a gas supply system configured to provide an air flow to a welding application. The gas supply system is configured to draw the air flow from an ambient environment about the gas supply system.

Abstract: A method for gas metal arc welding is disclosed, wherein a welding current is passed through a wire electrode and the a wire electrode is melted by a welding arc, wherein at least one parameter that influences Joulean heating of the wire electrode is adjusted.

Abstract: Provided is a welding method and electrodes (wires) with aluminum as a primary deoxidizer and a basic flux system for joining a workpieces with weld metal of comparable strengths and enhanced toughness. For instance, provided is a welding wire, comprising an aluminum content configured to act as a primary deoxidizer, and an overall composition configured to produce a weld deposit comprising a basic slag over a weld bead, wherein the aluminum content is configured to kill the oxygen in the weld pool, and wherein the oxygen comprises oxygen provided by a shielding gas or produced by heating of welding filler materials. Further provided is a welding method comprising arc welding a workpiece using an electrode having aluminum as a primary deoxidizer under a gas shield to produce a bead of weld deposit and a basic slag over the weld bead.

Abstract: A method for producing a welded joint between a high-strength aluminium alloy with a copper proportion as a first metal and a second metal, in which the welded joint is produced by CMT welding.

Abstract: Electrodes for depositing hardfacing alloys containing boron, carbon, chromium, manganese, and silicon on the surface of metal components that are subjected to high thermal and mechanical stresses. The deposited hardfacing alloys have from about 2.5 to about 14.0 atomic weight percent boron and have a hardness on the Rockwell “C” scale of at least about 65 HRC in the first layer of the weld deposit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to welding alloys and, more specifically, to welding consumables (e.g., welding wires and rods) for arc welding operations. In an embodiment, a welding consumable includes less than approximately 1 wt % manganese as well as one or more strengthening agents selected from the group: nickel, cobalt, copper, carbon, molybdenum, chromium, vanadium, silicon, and boron. The welding consumable also includes one or more grain control agents selected from the group: niobium, tantalum, titanium, zirconium, and boron, wherein the welding consumable includes less than approximately 0.6 wt % grain control agents. Additionally, the welding consumable has a carbon equivalence (CE) value that is less than approximately 0.23. The welding consumable is designed to provide a manganese fume generation rate that is less than approximately 0.01 grams per minute during a welding operation.

Abstract: A method for producing a chemically modified metal surface or metal alloy surface or metal oxide layer or metal alloy oxide layer on the surface of a workpiece, which surface or layer includes surface structures having dimensions in the sub-micrometer range. The method involves scanning, one or several times using a pulsed laser beam, the entire surface of the metal or metal alloy, or the metal oxide layer or metal alloy oxide layer on the metal or metal alloy, on which surface or layer the structures are to be produced and which is accessible to laser radiation. The scanning is performed in an atmosphere containing a gas or gas mixture that reacts with the surface, such that adjacent flecks of light of the laser beam adjoin each other without an interspace in between or overlap and a predetermined range of a defined relation between process parameters is satisfied.

Abstract: A welding system includes a welder configured to output welding power to generate an arc between a welding electrode and a workpiece. The welding system also includes a power pin configured to be coupled to the welder in a first orientation or a second orientation. The power pin is configured to switch the welding power from a first polarity to a second polarity when the power pin is switched from being coupled to the welder in the first orientation to being coupled to the welder in the second orientation.

Abstract: A welding assembly includes an adapter, a diffuser, and a nozzle. The adapter includes an inner portion, a discharge portion, and an engagement portion. The discharge portion defines an outer periphery and at least one aperture. The diffuser defines a contact end, a diffusion end and an outer periphery. The contact end is engaged with the discharge portion of the adapter. The nozzle includes a discharge end, an engagement, end and an inner surface. The engagement end defines a groove and engages with the engagement portion of the adapter. The groove and the outer periphery of the diffuser defines at least one discharge passage within the engagement end of the nozzle. The inner portion of the adapter is in fluid communication with the inner surface of the nozzle through the aperture the discharge passage. Shielding gas is directed toward tip portion of the contact tip through the discharge passages.

Abstract: A method for metalworking using an adjustable vacuum and support system for evacuating particulate matter, smoke, excess gas, and molten metal from a work area during welding and for providing adjustable support to a welding head. The vacuum system has a vacuum head and a vacuum nozzle. An adjustable mounting bracket has a first portion fixed to the vacuum head and a second portion securable to the welding head. The bracket arrangement establishes pivotal and slidable couplings between the welding head and the vacuum head. The vacuum nozzle has a support surface for being rested on a surface of a workpiece to support the vacuum head and the welding head. The support surface can be a base bevel surface at the tip of the nozzle, and an opposed suction bevel surface can have a nozzle aperture interposed therealong.

Abstract: A system prevents oxidation of a laser cut workpiece by utilizing a laser source that utilizes laser source with an inert gas, such as argon or helium, rather than air or oxygen, to create the slots or kerfs which form the pattern cut into the workpiece. The system introduces oxygen gas through the workpiece as it is being laser cut to oxidize any slag or dross created during the laser cutting process. Oxygen or a mixture of oxygen with other gases cools the slag and the workpiece while at the same time oxidizing the slag to either completely burn or partial burn the slag before it strikes an exposed surface of the tubular member.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of laser diode unit of the present invention includes steps: placing a laser diode on top of a solder member formed on a mounting surface of a submount, applying a pressing load to the laser diode and pressing the laser diode against the solder member, next, melting the solder member by heating the solder member at a temperature higher than a melting point of the solder member while the pressing load is being applied, and thereafter, bonding the laser diode to the submount by cooling and solidifying the solder member, thereafter, removing the pressing load, and softening the solidified solder member by heating the solder member at a temperature lower than the melting point of the solder member after the pressing load has been removed, and thereafter cooling and re-solidifying the solder member.

Abstract: Provided herein is a welding diagnostic device, a method of identifying a metal transfer mode of a welding process presently being performed and a transfer mode identifier for use with a GMAW welding machine. In one embodiment, the welding diagnostic device includes: (1) a welding data interface configured to receive a welding voltage from a welding machine during a welding process and (2) a data acquisition system configured to, during the welding process, determine a metal transfer mode of the welding process based on the welding voltage and provide a sensory indication thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for reducing contamination in the resulting plasma of a weld produced by a fiber laser. The invention establishes the fiber laser in an optimal configuration for applying a high density beam to a weld material that eliminates spectral interference. The beam is applied in a narrow bandwidth of 1064 nm+/?0.5 nm in one operative condition using an inert shielding gas, preferably argon, in a cross-flow or controlled environment around the welding region to prevent contamination of the plasma forming in the weld region. The method is optimized by determining and avoiding the emission spectrum for the fiber laser and the cover gas or gasses as well as any particular excitation spectra for the weld material. The system can utilize a single laser input, or can utilize multiple lasers joined by coupling means and utilizing a switch to select one or more of the fiber lasers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for welding rotors for power generation such as gas turbines, steam turbines, and generators having a plurality of rotor discs arranged along a rotor axis. The method includes providing said discs with a weld seam preparation. The weld seam preparation includes a root, a first, gap-like welding section adjoining the root in radial direction, and a second, gap-like welding section adjoining the first welding section in radial direction. The method further includes melting the root by means of a first welding process; making a weld in the first welding section by means of a second welding process; and filling up the second welding section by means of a third welding process.

Abstract: Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) is a widely used process for joining metals. Its main advantage over its competition gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is its high productivity in depositing metals. However, to melt metal from the wire to deposit into the work-piece, additional heat is consumed and applied to the work-piece with an uncontrolled fixed proportion to the effective heat that melts the wire. Such additional heat is often in excess of the needed heat input for the work-piece. The side-effects include a waste of the energy, an increased distortion, and possible materials property degradation. This invention is to device a method to transfer this part of heat to melt the wire by adding two wires, which form a pair of arc spots, under a tungsten arc. It also devices a method to assure the arc between the two wires be maintained stable such that the transfer be successfully continuous.

Abstract: A system and method of welding stainless steel to copper is provided. The method includes providing a first workpiece composed of stainless steel and providing a second workpiece composed of copper. The method also includes heating by using a laser a root area of a joint created by the workpieces. The heating by the laser creates a keyhole in at least one of the first workpiece and the second workpiece. The method also includes providing a consumable electrode that is composed of nickel to the joint and creating an arc between the consumable electrode and the joint using a welding current. The preheating of the arc using the keyhole eliminates the need to preheat the second workpiece.

Abstract: A shielding cup used in connection with a welding torch having a torch head that defines gas outlets for supplying an inert gas to an electrode, the shielding cup including an attachment portion adapted to attach to the torch head; and a nozzle portion extending downward from the attachment portion, wherein the nozzle portion has a depth adapted to be received within the groove and defines an enclosed volume substantially surrounding the electrode, the nozzle portion being open at an outward end, wherein the nozzle portion is adapted to channel the inert gas from the torch head within the volume defined by the nozzle portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus to be used when welding two abutting sections of pipe or tubing, and also to purge blocks for establishing a localized inert atmosphere inside two abutting pipe sections in the region of a desired weld joint. The present invention comprises an inflatable bladder with elongated engaging members that can be removable positioned within the ends of two abutting pipe sections in order to center the two abutting sections of pipe and create the purge block.

Abstract: A method of welding a fuel rod includes the following steps. An end plug and a cladding tube of the fuel rod are brought together to abut each other, and welded by applying a laser beam directed to a welding zone to melt material of the end plug and the cladding tube. The welding is sensed by sensing radiation within a first wavelength range, which includes the wavelength of the laser beam coming from reflections from the welding zone, sensing radiation within a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range, which includes infrared radiation from melted material, and sensing radiation within a third wavelength range different from the first and second wavelength ranges, which includes radiation from plasma. The welding and melting of material is monitored by monitoring the sensed radiations.