A laser cutter and safe power system therefor are disclosed. The power system of the laser cutter includes a resistive device arranged in a return line and configured to prevent anomalous tripping of a GFCI device by significantly minimizing electrical noise transmitted through the GFCI device when the laser cutter is operated in certain modes, such as a pulsing mode. The resistive device includes end caps that form a shroud around the connection between a return wire and the contact at each end of the resistive device. A main control board for a high voltage subsystem of the power system includes two isolated and independent enable signals, which are provided to different controllers on the main control board such that the different controllers can independently and redundantly respond to an unsafe condition.

A resistance welding pinch protection system for use with a resistance welder, comprising a sensor array adapted to be secured around the base of a positive electrode of the resistance welder, the sensor array including a plurality of proximity sensors positioned along a perimeter of the sensor array, the plurality of proximity sensors defining an electrode operation field around the positive electrode, an input/output interface to be operatively connected to the resistance welder, and at least one processor in communication with the plurality of proximity sensors and the input/output interface, wherein in use, during the lowering of the positive electrode, the at least one processor interrupts the control signal to the resistance welding controller in order to stop the welding sequence, raising the positive electrode in response to the detection of an obstacle within the electrode operation field.

A welding helmet for detecting arc data is provided. One embodiment of the welding helmet includes an arc detection system configured to detect one or more welding arcs that occur during one or more welding operations. The welding helmet also includes control circuitry configured to count a number of the one or more welding arcs detected by the arc detection system. The welding helmet includes a storage device configured to store the number of the one or more welding arcs.

The present disclosure relates to a suction device configured for a laser processing machine with a laser processing head which can be moved over a workpiece holder, with a fan and several flaps which are to be opened selectively to generate an air flow and which are in communication with the fan, and with a control configured to detect the position and operating state of the laser processing head and to control the flaps as a function of the detected position and the operating state of the laser processing head.

The present invention relates to a compact hot work enclosure (10) that allows quick installation and is intended to carry out minor hot works safely in a potentially flammable gas environment. In particular, it allows the hot works to be carried out by technicians outside the enclosure by inserting their hand(s) through a glove section (22). Visibility is ensured by large view panel(s) (16) which consists of large transparent window(s) made up of high impact resistant fire retardant materials. Other panels of the enclosure are made from high temperature resistant materials. Positive pressure will be maintained in the enclosure using air supply from a blower or an inert gas supply from a cylinder. The enclosure components can be transported in handbags and can be assembled and de-assembled quickly.

In the specification and drawings, an apparatus for conducting hot work is described and shown with an enclosure; a hot work apparatus operable within the enclosure; and a detector located exterior of the enclosure, the detector being in detecting communication with the interior of the enclosure, such that the detector detects the presence of a condition within the enclosure. A method of conducting hot work is also described and shown.

A welding screen includes a primary barrier made of a magnetic sheet. The welding screen enhances safety by halting or restricting the motion of magnetic and paramagnetic by-products, thereby preventing flame, light, magnetic material, sparks and dust from being scattered during welding or post-weld grinding. This improvement can be applied to various type of welding screens (welding curtain, welding windshield), by using a flexible magnetic sheet material as the primary barrier material.

A debris control apparatus is provided for selective assembly and disassembly with a cutting tool. The debris control apparatus includes a debris control enclosure and a mounting assembly for mounting the enclosure to the cutting tool. The enclosure comprises a vacuum opening assembled and in fluid communication with a vacuum conduit, the vacuum conduit connected to a vacuum source, for extracting the debris from the enclosure. The enclosure and vacuum conduit may be sized, shaped, and contoured to reduce recirculation of debris within the enclosure.

A method for forming a hollow component includes injecting a fluid into an internal cavity of the hollow component to achieve a pressure of the fluid within the internal cavity that is greater than an ambient pressure. The method further includes drilling at least one hole through the hollow component from an external surface of the hollow component to the internal cavity by applying a laser beam to the hollow component with a laser generator. The method further includes directing the fluid from the internal cavity and through the at least one hole so as to exit the hollow component via the at least one hole.

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for detection of fire states in the presence of welding activities. In some examples, the welding detection system may algorithmically calculate a risk of a fire state developing. In some embodiments, the welding fire detection and prevention system may communicate warning states to users, supervisors, equipment and/or building monitoring systems.