Apparatuses, systems, and/or methods for welding systems that provide independent control of a contact tip of a welding torch are disclosed. The welding system can include, for example, a welding torch that includes, for example, a contact tip and a pivot in which the contact tip is coupled to the pivot and is configured to provide wire that is fed through the welding torch during a welding operation. The contact tip and the pivot are configured to independently move the contact tip of the welding torch around the pivot during the welding operation.

Apparatuses, systems, and/or methods for welding systems that provide independent control of a contact tip of a welding torch are disclosed. The welding system can include, for example, a welding torch that includes, for example, a contact tip and a pivot in which the contact tip is coupled to the pivot and is configured to provide wire that is fed through the welding torch during a welding operation. The contact tip and the pivot are configured to independently move the contact tip of the welding torch around the pivot during the welding operation.

Systems and methods for cleaning a wire electrode after a welding process has ended are described. During a welding process, a wire electrode may be fed forward from a wire feeder through a welding torch to create a molten weld pool. While, conventionally, feeding of the wire electrode stops when the welding process ends, the present disclosure contemplates instead continuing to feed the wire electrode forward after the welding process ends. More particularly, the present disclosure contemplates feeding the wire electrode into the weld pool so that the wire electrode can be “cleaned” in the molten weld pool created by the welding process. The “cleaned” wire electrode end can be more easily used to establish an electrical arc at the beginning of the next welding process.

Systems and methods for cleaning a wire electrode after a welding process has ended are described. During a welding process, a wire electrode may be fed forward from a wire feeder through a welding torch to create a molten weld pool. While, conventionally, feeding of the wire electrode stops when the welding process ends, the present disclosure contemplates instead continuing to feed the wire electrode forward after the welding process ends. More particularly, the present disclosure contemplates feeding the wire electrode into the weld pool so that the wire electrode can be “cleaned” in the molten weld pool created by the welding process. The “cleaned” wire electrode end can be more easily used to establish an electrical arc at the beginning of the next welding process.

Strip cladding heads having independent strip pressure adjustments and strip cladding systems with strip cladding heads having independent strip pressure adjustments are disclosed. A disclosed example cladding head for strip cladding system includes a first contact jaw, a second contact jaw, and a third contact jaw. The first contact jaw includes first and second contacts to deliver welding power to a cladding strip that is driven between the first and second contacts. The second contact jaw includes third and fourth contacts to deliver the welding power to the cladding strip that is driven between the third and fourth contacts. The third contact jaw includes fifth and sixth contacts to deliver the welding power to the cladding strip that is driven between the fifth and sixth contacts, where the first, second, and third contact jaws selectively provide symmetrical contact with the cladding strip across a width of the cladding strip when the cladding strip has one of at least three incremental strip widths, and the three incremental strip widths correspond to ones of the first, second, and third contact jaws.

Strip cladding heads and strip cladding systems are disclosed. A disclosed example strip feeder for a strip cladding system includes; a drive roller to advance a cladding strip along a strip feed path through contact plates; a first guide rail having a first slot extending across an entirety of the strip feed path; a first adjustable bearing and a second adjustable bearing located within the first slot, the first adjustable bearing and the second adjustable bearing capable of being secured at positions within the first slot using corresponding first and second strip width adjusters; a second guide rail having a second slot extending across an entirety of the strip feed path and positioned at a different location than the first guide rail along the strip feed path; and a third adjustable bearing and a fourth adjustable bearing located within the second slot, the third adjustable bearing and the fourth adjustable bearing capable of being secured at positions within the second slot using corresponding third and fourth strip width adjusters, the first, second, third, and fourth strip width adjusters to, when secured, define a location and a width of an effective strip feed path.

A method providing a manual welding apparatus configured to supply a welding wire to a welding gun. The welding gun has a trigger and an opening where the welding wire extends when the trigger is activated. The method also has a computer with a user interface that includes an automatic wire retract program. The program monitors the welding gun and determines when the trigger is disabled. The program indicates when a first condition is satisfied and retracts the welding wire so the welding wire does not extend from the opening of the welding gun.

A braking system for a welding machine is provided. In one aspect, the braking system includes a brake surface, a spool hub shaft, a spool hub, an adjustment knob and an expandable and compressible member. The spool hub shaft is capable of engaging against the brake surface. The expandable and compressible member is provided between the spool hub and the adjustment knob to apply varying levels of force on the spool hub. The spool hub shaft has at least one tab which is capable of engaging with a recess in the adjustment knob to adjust the force applied by the member on the spool hub.

A handling apparatus for performing a TIG weld comprises a main body for holding a filler rod; a feeding device attached to the main body and configured to advance the filler rod during welding; a control unit configured to act on the feeding device and to regulate the speed of the filler rod.

A handling apparatus for performing a TIG weld comprises a main body for holding a filler rod; a feeding device attached to the main body and configured to advance the filler rod during welding; a control unit configured to act on the feeding device and to regulate the speed of the filler rod.