Welding machine (1) comprising a resting plane (P) configured to support respectively a tail portion and a head portion of two metal sheets to be joined. The metal sheets are slidable along an advancement direction (A). The welding machine (1) also comprises sheet-metal pressing means (2) configured to lock in a set position the head and tail portions on the resting plane (P) and a plurality of welding torches (3) configured to join respective edges of the tail and head portions. The welding torches (3) are slidably movable along a transverse direction (B) to the advancement direction (A). The welding machine (1) is characterized in that it also comprises a plurality of grounding contacts (4) that is each electrically associated with a respective welding torch (3) and movable solidly constrained to the respective welding torch (3) along the transverse direction (B).

A welding system can manage wire feeders such that unused wire feeders are conveniently stowed. The welding system include two or more wire feeders individually attachable to a welding torch. The welding system includes one or more mount points to secure unused wire feeders and enable convenient swapping of an active wire feeder.

A flexible conductive gun tube has a plurality of articulated segments connected in series for conducting welding current from a torch handle to a diffuser. Each of the articulated segments has an outer housing having a radially inwardly projecting rim at a first end, and an internal annular groove proximate a second end. A first attachment member includes a ball portion and a first attachment projection that extends away from ball portion and is attached to a first adjacent segment of the gun tube. A second attachment member includes a socket and a second attachment projection that extends axially from the socket past the internal annular groove. The second attachment projection is attached to a second adjacent segment of the gun tube. A retaining ring is located within the internal annular groove, and a biasing member is located axially between the retaining ring and the socket.

A replaceable or quick-change liner for use in a welding torch assembly that includes a liner guide, a section of liner, and a sealing feature for creating a pneumatic seal between the replaceable liner and the welding torch assembly.

Hybrid manual and automated welding systems and methods are described. A hand-held welding tool is manually positioned to engage a workpiece. A weld is started from an initial position based on a first manual operator event. A welding heat source is automatically or autonomously moved along the weld relative to the workpiece from the first position to a second position relative to the workpiece during welding.

A wire feeder includes an exterior housing and in interior housing that creates an interstitial spaced that is disposed between the exterior and interior housing. This housing structure reduces weight of the wire feeder while maintaining the structural rigidness required of a wire feeder. This housing structure also promotes improved cooling features for the wire feeder and the components disposed within the wire feeder. The exterior housing may be constructed of a materials that reduces the likelihood of being damaged. The wire feeder may be further equipped with a strain relief device for the incoming supply cables, and an interchangeable cable connector. The wire feeder may also be equipped with removable wire guides for the wire feeder mechanism that are toolless. The wire feeder may be equipped with accessory storage and attachment features, as well as a cost reduced repositionable control panel.

A depth gauge tool is provided. The depth gauge tool includes a first side coupled to a second side and at least one depth gauge disposed there between; the at least one depth gauge configured with at least one slot adapted for receiving a hot electrode of a tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding torch and an aiding adjustment of a depth of the electrode in relation to a periphery of a gas cup surrounding the electrode.

An example system includes an additive manufacturing tool configured to receive a wire from a wire feeder, to receive current from a power source, and to supply the wire to a workpiece during an additive manufacturing process, and a mechanical oscillation system configured to mechanically oscillate a structural component toward and away from the workpiece, wherein the structural component is external to the wire feeder and the power source.

An adaptable multiple purpose connector system for simultaneous pneumatic and electric connections includes a pin and socket. Each connector has an electrical contact a cylindrical hollow core extending through the connector from one end to other. The pin and socket are shaped to be complementary to each other such that the pin can be at least partially inserted into the socket such that the cylindrical hollow cores are aligned and the electrical contact are mated. An internal seal forms an air-tight connection is formed between the pin and socket connector. An external seal positioned on the outward ends of the pin and socket connectors creates a sealed pneumatic connection with pneumatic tubes when the connectors are mated. Additional connections may include solid transport such as feed wire in an example welding configuration.

A harmonic welding wire oscillator configured to oscillate a stretch of welding wire within a wire liner. The oscillator may include an actuator configured to oscillate the welding wire at a resonant frequency of the stretch of welding wire. The oscillation causes reciprocation of the welding wire at the tip of the welding torch.