Provided are a systems and methods for continuously providing a metal wire to a welding torch in the correct orientation with respect to the heat source of the welding torch for manufacturing objects by solid freeform fabrication to provide continuous deposition of metal to the freeform object, especially objects made with titanium or titanium alloy, or nickel or nickel alloy, wire.

An illustrative example embodiment of a method of making a rotary magnetic drive member includes establishing a plurality of magnet retainers on a rod using an additive manufacturing process. Magnets are inserted between the retainers with magnetic poles of axially adjacent ones of the magnets oriented with like poles facing toward a portion of one of the retainers between the adjacent ones of the magnets.

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.

A welding torch includes: a cylindrical tip body extending in an axis line direction; an orifice member arranged on a radially outer side of the tip body, between which and the tip body a first ring-like space is formed; a cylindrical nozzle arranged on a radially outer side of the orifice member with an interposition of a second ring-like space and having an edge on one side in the axis line direction. The tip body has a first emission hole via which an inner space of the tip body communicates with the first ring-like space, and the orifice member has a second emission hole via which the first ring-like space communicates with the second ring-like space. The second ring-like space is substantially closed by a sealing part on another side in the axis line direction, and an outlet opening of the second emission hole is arranged close the sealing part.

A method of manufacturing a knife blade includes preparing a blade preform of a first material, depositing a second material which is harder than the first material on an edge of the blade preform by arc welding, and sharpening the deposited second material to prepare a knife blade with a sharp edge. A knife blade is also provided and includes a blade section of a first material, and an edge of the blade section is provided with an arc welded layer of a second material which is shaped as a sharp edge, where the second material is harder than the first material.

A method of manufacturing a knife blade includes preparing a blade preform of a first material, depositing a second material which is harder than the first material on an edge of the blade preform by arc welding, and sharpening the deposited second material to prepare a knife blade with a sharp edge. A knife blade is also provided and includes a blade section of a first material, and an edge of the blade section is provided with an arc welded layer of a second material which is shaped as a sharp edge, where the second material is harder than the first material.

An example welding torch neck adapter includes: an electrically conductive body configured to detachably attach to a handle assembly of a consumable electrode-fed welding torch on a first portion of the conductive body and configured to detachably attach to a neck of the welding torch on a second portion of the conductive body to secure the neck to the handle assembly; and a guide tube positioned within the conductive body and configured to support a first consumable wire liner in alignment with a liner lock of a second consumable wire liner.

An example welding torch neck adapter includes: an electrically conductive body configured to detachably attach to a handle assembly of a consumable electrode-fed welding torch on a first portion of the conductive body and configured to detachably attach to a neck of the welding torch on a second portion of the conductive body to secure the neck to the handle assembly; and a guide tube positioned within the conductive body and configured to support a first consumable wire liner in alignment with a liner lock of a second consumable wire liner.

A multi-process welding machine provides an intuitive user interface to enable a user to select among different welding processes, and to select parameters for a given selected welding process. The multi-process welding machine also provides an arrangement by which a switching module, or DC to AC converter, of an AC TIG unit can be controlled to alternatively supply AC or DC welding voltages or current. Further, a configuration of switches can be leveraged to automatically (or manually) control the polarity of welding cables for different processes and to engage or disengage a wire feeder when, e.g., a MIG welding process is selected, or not selected, respectively. Finally, in an embodiment, the ferrite or magnetic materials used for a main output inductor and an high frequency starting inductor of the welding machine can be combined.