A robotic electric arc welding system includes a welding torch, a welding robot configured to manipulate the welding torch during a welding operation, a robot controller operatively connected to the welding robot to control weaving movements of the welding torch along a weld seam and at a weave frequency and weave period, and a welding power supply operatively connected to the welding torch to control a welding waveform, and operatively connected to the robot controller for communication therewith. The welding power supply is configured to sample a plurality of weld parameters during a sampling period of the welding operation and form an analysis packet, and process the analysis packet to generate a weld quality score, wherein the welding power supply obtains the weave frequency or the weave period and automatically adjusts the sampling period for forming the analysis packet based on the weave frequency or the weave period.

Embodiments of systems and methods for supporting weld quality across a manufacturing environment are disclosed. One embodiment includes manufacturing cells within a manufacturing environment, where each manufacturing cell includes a cell controller and welding equipment. A communication network supports data communications between a central controller and the cell controller of each of the manufacturing cells. The central controller collects actual weld parameter data from the cell controller of each manufacturing cell, via the communication network, to form aggregated weld parameter data for a same type of workpiece being welded in each of the manufacturing cells. The central controller analyzes the aggregated weld parameter data to generate updated weld settings. The updated weld settings are communicated from the central controller to the cell controller of each of the manufacturing cells via the communication network.

Embodiments of systems and methods for supporting predictive and preventative maintenance are disclosed. One embodiment includes manufacturing cells within a manufacturing environment, where each manufacturing cell includes a cell controller and welding equipment, cutting equipment, and/or additive manufacturing equipment. A communication network supports data communications between a central controller and the cell controller of each of the manufacturing cells. The central controller collects cell data from the cell controller of each of the manufacturing cells, via the communication network. The cell data is related to the operation, performance, and/or servicing of a same component type of each of the manufacturing cells to form a set of aggregated cell data for the component type. The central controller also analyzes the set of aggregated cell data to generate a predictive model related to future maintenance of the component type.

Some variations provide an aluminum alloy feedstock for additive manufacturing, the aluminum alloy feedstock comprising from 79.8 wt % to 88.3 wt % aluminum; from 1.1 wt % to 2.1 wt % copper; from 3.0 wt % to 4.6 wt % magnesium; from 7.1 wt % to 9.0 wt % zinc; and from 0.5 wt % to 2.8 wt % zirconium as a grain-refiner element. The aluminum alloy feedstock may be in the form of an ingot powder. In some variations, the aluminum alloy feedstock comprises from 81.3 wt % to about 87.8 wt % aluminum; from 1.2 wt % to 2.0 wt % copper; from 3.2 wt % to 4.4 wt % magnesium; from 7.3 wt % to 8.7 wt % zinc; and from 0.5 wt % to 2.8 wt % zirconium.

An excess metal amount setting method includes: a thermal shrinkage prediction step of predicting a thermal shrinkage amount in the deposited body after manufacturing; a thermal shrinkage modifying step of obtaining a thermal deformation modifying profile by expanding a target profile according to the thermal shrinkage amount; a release strain prediction step of predicting an elastic deformation amount due to release strain of the deposited body after machining; an elastic deformation modifying step of obtaining an elastic deformation modifying profile by deforming the thermal deformation modifying profile according to the elastic deformation amount in a direction opposite to a deformation direction due to the release strain; and an excess metal amount setting step of adjusting an outer edge shape of the deposited body so that an excess metal amount from the elastic deformation modifying profile to an outer edge of the deposited body falls within a predetermined reference range.

A 3D printing system includes an ejector configured to receive a build material. The ejector includes a nozzle. The ejector is configured to eject a plurality of drops of the build material through the nozzle. The 3D printing system also includes a substrate positioned below the nozzle. The drops fall toward the substrate after being ejected from the nozzle. The drops form a 3D object on the substrate. The 3D printing system also includes a power source configured to generate an alternating electrical current. The 3D printing system also includes an electrode configured to generate a plasma in response to receiving the alternating electrical current. The drops, the 3D object, the substrate, or a combination thereof are positioned at least partially within the plasma.

A screw anchor and method of forming such a screw anchor, the method comprising: forming a first male screw thread section on a metallic body and which is integral to the metallic body; and using a metal deposition technique to deposit a second male screw thread section on the metallic body; wherein the second male screw thread section is formed of metallic material having a greater hardness than the metallic body and is able to tap out a female thread in a hole in a support for receiving the first male screw thread section when the screw anchor is twisted into the hole.

A method of fabricating an object by additive manufacturing is provided. The method includes irradiating a portion of powder in a powder bed, the irradiation creating an ion channel extending to the powder. The method also includes applying electrical energy to the ion channel, wherein the electrical energy is transmitted through the ion channel to the powder in the powder bed, and energy from the irradiation and the electrical energy each contribute to melting or sintering the portion of the powder in the powder bed.

A hybrid article is disclosed including a coating disposed on and circumscribing the lateral surface of a core having a core material. The coating includes about 35% to about 95% of a first metallic material having a first melting point, and about 5% to about 65% of a second metallic material having a second melting point lower than the first melting point. The coating is sinter-bonded to the core. A method for forming the hybrid article is disclosed including disposing the core in a die, introducing a slurry having the metallic materials into a gap between the lateral surface and the die, and sintering the slurry, forming the coating. A method for closing an aperture of an article is disclosed including inserting the hybrid article into the aperture, and brazing the hybrid article to the article, welding the aperture with the hybrid article serving as weld filler, or both.

The disclosed technology generally relates to consumable electrode wires and more particularly to consumable electrode wires having a core-shell structure, where the core comprises aluminum. In one aspect, a welding wire comprises a sheath having a steel composition and a core surrounded by the sheath. The core comprises aluminum (Al) at a concentration between about 3 weight % and about 20 weight % on the basis of the total weight of the welding wire, where Al is in an elemental form or is alloyed with a different metal element. The disclosed technology also relates to welding methods and systems adapted for using the aluminum-comprising electrode wires.