An example welding-type system includes a wire feeder for providing electrode wire to a welding torch comprising one or more drive rolls configured to retract or advance the electrode wire; a rotating power connector comprising an outer portion with a hollow bore; and an inner sleeve within the hollow bore, wherein the inner sleeve is configured to receive a power pin of the welding torch in alignment with the one or more drive rolls, conduct electrical power to the power pin, and permit the power pin to rotate with respect to the outer portion, wherein the outer portion is fixed within the wire feeder.

A fume extractor for a robotic welding arm may comprise: a vacuum manifold, comprising: a plurality of intake ports, an arm attachment mount configured to attach to a first arm section of the robotic welding arm, and an outlet port configured to connect to a vacuum source; a plurality of flexible tubes, each comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end of each of the flexible tubes is coupled to at least one of the intake ports; and one or more retainers configured to retain each of the flexible tubes in proximity to a welding torch coupled to the robotic welding arm as the welding torch rotates and moves.

The present disclosure relates to an automated gas tungsten arc welding system for flexible hoses. The Mini Flexi Hose Welder is a breakthrough innovation for welding stainless steel flexible hoses, corrugated hoses, sleeves, and adaptors. Utilizing GTAW with wire feeding, it ensures precise welds on components ranging from 5 mm to 65 mm diameter. Automatic setting capabilities adjust height, diameter, and offsets, enhancing accuracy. Cloud monitoring enables real-time monitoring of welded components. Energy-efficient at <400 W, its compact user-friendly design offers an out-of-the-box automated solution. Addressing limitations of traditional welding for flexible hoses, this system caters to industries requiring high-quality, efficient welding of these components. Its specialized features, including automatic settings, cloud monitoring, and energy efficiency, make it a versatile and reliable choice for welding flexible hoses.

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 method and apparatus reduces the consumption of process gases used in gas shielded industrial processes such as gas metal arc welding (GMAW), metal inert gas (MIG) welding, tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, laser welding, plasma welding and plasma arc cutting processes by containing and capturing process gases used at a work site. The captured gases are drawn into a recirculating circuit, filtered to remove impurities, molecularly separated, and injected back into the incoming gas supply line. A hood substantially contains the process gases at the work site and a recirculating pump draws the process gases from the filter and molecular sieve where they are injected into the gas supply line.

Systems and methods for deliberate defect introduction in additive manufacturing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a robotic additive manufacturing system includes an additive manufacturing robot, the additive manufacturing robot including a robotic arm, a welder system mounted to the robotic arm and including a welding tip configured to deposit a consumable electrode wire onto an additively-manufactured article, a signals data storage system configured to receive from the welder system one or more signals indicative of a voltage and a current and to store the signals as a time series, a defect introduction system configured to receive an interrupt signal and to trigger a release mechanism configured to disrupt shielding gas around the welding tip based upon the interrupt signal, and a clock configured to provide a clock signal to the signals data storage system and the defect introduction system.

A fume extraction system is designed for metal working and other applications. The fume extraction system includes one or more motors and/or adjustment devices to control fume suction airflow. One or more sensors may monitor a condition of the welding torch to determine if a welding arc is present. Control circuitry is operable to receive signals from the one or more sensors and/or power supply in order to determine the presence of the welding arc. The control circuitry can control the fume extraction system to adjust suction airflow based on the presence of the welding arc.