A welding apparatus includes an articulated robot having a plurality of drive shafts, an end effector supported by the articulated robot, a tip shaft drive mechanism, and a drive control unit. The tip shaft drive mechanism is provided between a tip drive shaft of the articulated robot and the end effector and allows a tip shaft of the end effector to perform a weaving operation. The drive control unit drives the articulated robot and the tip shaft drive mechanism. The tip shaft drive mechanism includes a first-axis drive unit which drives the tip shaft in a first-axis direction that is perpendicular to the tip shaft of the end effector and a second-axis drive unit which drives the tip shaft in a second-axis direction that is perpendicular to the tip shaft and the first-axis direction.

A welding apparatus includes an articulated robot having a plurality of drive shafts, an end effector supported by the articulated robot, a tip shaft drive mechanism, and a drive control unit. The tip shaft drive mechanism is provided between a tip drive shaft of the articulated robot and the end effector and allows a tip shaft of the end effector to perform a weaving operation. The drive control unit drives the articulated robot and the tip shaft drive mechanism. The tip shaft drive mechanism includes a first-axis drive unit which drives the tip shaft in a first-axis direction that is perpendicular to the tip shaft of the end effector and a second-axis drive unit which drives the tip shaft in a second-axis direction that is perpendicular to the tip shaft and the first-axis direction.

A welding system includes a welding torch. The welding torch includes a sensor configured to detect a motion associated with the welding torch, a temperature associated with the welding torch, or some combination thereof. A display of the welding torch is activated, a determination is made that the welding torch has been involved in a high impact event, live welding using the welding torch is disabled, a software selection is made, or some combination thereof, based on the motion, the temperature, or some combination thereof.

A welding system includes a welding torch. The welding torch includes a sensor configured to detect a motion associated with the welding torch, a temperature associated with the welding torch, or some combination thereof. A display of the welding torch is activated, a determination is made that the welding torch has been involved in a high impact event, live welding using the welding torch is disabled, a software selection is made, or some combination thereof, based on the motion, the temperature, or some combination thereof.

A harmonic welding wire oscillator configured to oscillate a stretch of welding wire within a wire liner. The oscillator may include an actuator configured to oscillate the welding wire at a resonant frequency of the stretch of welding wire. The oscillation causes reciprocation of the welding wire at the tip of the welding torch.

A harmonic welding wire oscillator configured to oscillate a stretch of welding wire within a wire liner. The oscillator may include an actuator configured to oscillate the welding wire at a resonant frequency of the stretch of welding wire. The oscillation causes reciprocation of the welding wire at the tip of the welding torch.

An improved arc welding apparatus that imparts a rotational movement to the contact tip of the consumable electrode to cause molten metal to be deposited by centrifugal force against the surface of the metal work pieces being welded. The welding apparatus being configurable to control the deposit patterns of the molten welding materials.

An improved arc welding apparatus that imparts a rotational movement to the contact tip of the consumable electrode to cause molten metal to be deposited by centrifugal force against the surface of the metal work pieces being welded. The welding apparatus being configurable to control the deposit patterns of the molten welding materials.

A welding system includes a welding torch. The welding torch includes a sensor configured to detect a motion associated with the welding torch, a temperature associated with the welding torch, or some combination thereof. A display of the welding torch is activated, a determination is made that the welding torch has been involved in a high impact event, live welding using the welding torch is disabled, a software selection is made, or some combination thereof, based on the motion, the temperature, or some combination thereof.

A welding system includes a welding torch. The welding torch includes a sensor configured to detect a motion associated with the welding torch, a temperature associated with the welding torch, or some combination thereof. A display of the welding torch is activated, a determination is made that the welding torch has been involved in a high impact event, live welding using the welding torch is disabled, a software selection is made, or some combination thereof, based on the motion, the temperature, or some combination thereof.