Systems and methods are disclosed for welding systems employing a welding cable to provide welding power, communication signals, and wire feeder power to the wire feeder, and a single conductor wire feeder power and communication cable coupling the welding power supply to the wire feeder via dedicated connection circuitry in both the welding power supply and the wire feeder.

A laser marking system for marking a product comprising a laser source for providing a laser beam, a marking head for projecting the laser beam on to the product, a housing comprising an extraction device configured to generate a flow of extraction fluid for extracting matter generated by an interaction between the laser beam and the product, and a controller for controlling the laser source and the marking head. The laser marking system further comprises an umbilical assembly connecting the housing to the marking head.

A handle assembly includes a housing and an interchangeable saddle for customizing a geometrical grip of the handle. In one form, the housing includes an attachment feature and the interchangeable saddle includes a mating attachment feature to allow for the interchangeable saddle to be removably secured to an upper surface of the housing. Each interchangeable saddle defines a customized geometrical grip.

Automatically recognizing interchangeable torch components, such as consumables, for welding and cutting torches includes adding one or more passive markings to a surface of an interchangeable torch component. Then, the interchangeable component can be recognized by a torch assembly including a torch body and one or more imaging devices or by a system including the torch assembly and a power supply. The torch body has an operative end configured to removably receive the interchangeable torch component. The one or more imaging devices are positioned to optically acquire an image of or image data representative of the one or more passive markings included on the interchangeable torch components so that a processor can determine if the one or more interchangeable components are genuine.

A safety plug for a female welding lead connector configured to remain tethered to the female welding lead connector and including a male head configured in the shape of a male end of a male welding lead connector so that the male head of the safety plug can be inserted into a female welding lead connector, rotated, and secured in place inside a female welding lead connector in the same manner as a male welding lead connector.

Device and method for welding a workpiece (2) having a welding torch (3) which can be mechanically coupled by a coupling element (4) to a hose bundle (5) for supplying the welding torch (3) at least with compressed air or with a protective gas, wherein compressed air applied to the coupling element (4) can be diverted by a diverting valve (10) provided in the coupling element (4) for actuating an actuator (7).

Provided is a wire body processing structure for a robot having a wrist, a base end of which is connected to a forearm in a rotatable manner about a first axis and a distal end of which has a plurality of working tools attached thereto. The wire body processing structure includes a first flexible conduit disposed along the first axis from the forearm to the distal end of the wrist and also includes a second flexible conduit disposed longitudinally within the first conduit. A first wire body for one of the working tools is extended longitudinally through the second conduit. A second wire body for another one of the working tools is extended longitudinally through a space between the first conduit and the second conduit.

Provided in this disclosure is a detachable power connection, particularly for use with a welding system. A male conductor, retained within a first connector, is matingly received within a female conductor, retained within a second connector. An aligning insulator of the second connector encloses and internally retains the female conductor. The aligning insulator includes alignment features formed along an exterior surface of the aligning insulator. A locking body of the first connector retains the male conductor and includes an interior surface for defining an internal void for matingly receiving the exterior surface of the aligning insulator therein. The locking body includes second alignment features formed along the interior surface for matingly engaging the respective first alignment features. A locking nut is formed onto one of the first connector or second connector, for releasably securing the first and second connectors together to form the detachable power connection.

A rotating power connection for connecting an electrical supply power cable to an electric welding torch body is provided. In the rotating power connection, the mechanical load is carried by steel bearings, and the electric load is carried by multi-contact, spring loaded fins made out of highly conductive materials or coatings. In some examples, a rotating power connector is affixed to a torch before the power connection to a wire feeder. The rotating power connector advantageously allows for rotation of the welding torch relative to the unicable while providing continual electrical connection at the high current levels employed in welding applications.

A quick-change coupling (16), for coupling a device carrier (14) to a carrier unit (12) of a welding cell (11), especially for welding together components for internal combustion engine exhaust systems, includes a first coupling unit (18) to be fixed to a carrier unit (12) and a second coupling unit (20) to be fixed to the device carrier (14). One of the coupling units (18, 20) has a pushing meshing recess (24) and the other of the coupling units (18, 20) has a pushing meshing body (26) that can be inserted into the pushing meshing recess (24) in a direction of pushing (R). A positive-locking positioning device (46) is adjustable between a released state and a positive-locking positioning state. With the pushing meshing body positioned meshing with the pushing meshing recess, the positive-locking positioning device in the positive-locking positioning state holds the pushing meshing body in an operating position.