A simulator facilitates simulated welding activity of simulated weld joints. The simulator may include a logic processor based system operable to execute coded instructions for generating an interactive welding environment in which a welding activity is simulated, the welding activity occurring at an interface of a first simulated work piece and a second simulated work piece that defines a simulated weld joint. The simulator is capable of simulating the simultaneous welding of multiple users on the simulated weld joint in real time.

Embodiments of modular-based power supply systems to support welding or cutting operations are disclosed. One embodiment includes a module rack having multiple slots configured to accept electrical input power from a single power drop within a welding or cutting environment. Multiple power supply modules are provided that are configured to be inserted into and withdrawn from the multiple slots. Each power supply module is configured to accept an electrical AC input derived from the electrical input power and provide an electrical DC output. The module rack is configured to support reconfigurable parallel electrical connections of subsets of the power supply modules. Each subset is configured to electrically connect to an output power supply stage to provide a dynamic waveform-controlled welding or cutting electrical signal to support generation of a single arc between an electrode and a workpiece.

Submerged arc welding torches and systems to resistively preheat electrode wire are disclosed. A disclosed example submerged arc welding torch includes: a first contact tip configured to transfer weld current and preheating current to the wire; a second contact tip configured to conduct the preheating current to the wire; an air-cooled first conductive body portion configured to receive the weld current and to conduct the weld current and the preheating current to the first contact tip; an air-cooled second conductive body portion configured to receive the preheating current and to conduct the preheating current to the second contact tip; and an insulator coupled between the first and second conductive body portions.

The object of the present invention is to provide a welding apparatus and a plasma welding method capable of obtaining deep penetration while suppressing initial investment in a welding apparatus. The welding apparatus of the present invention includes a torch for plasma welding and a power supply device, wherein the power supply device is composed of a first welding power supply used for a TIG welding apparatus, in which a positive terminal is electrically connected with the insert chip and a negative terminal is electrically connected with the electrode, and a second welding power supply used for a TIG welding apparatus, in which a positive terminal is electrically connected with a material to be welded and a negative terminal is electrically connected with the electrode.

The present application relates to an arc welding arrangement and an electric arc welding method to be used with the arc welding arrangement. The arc welding arrangement comprising a first power source, a first electrode connected to say first power source, and a second electrode, said first electrode being adapted to generate a weld pool via a first electric arc present within a first arc region. The second electrode is operated at welding parameters adapted to ensure that excess energy from at least said first electrode is required to maintain said second arc ignited. The method comprises the step of feeding said second electrode so that it is allowed to consume excess energy from said first electrode to maintain said second arc ignited.

Submerged arc welding torches and systems to resistively preheat electrode wire are disclosed. A disclosed example submerged arc welding torch includes: a first contact tip configured to transfer weld current and preheating current to the wire; a second contact tip configured to conduct the preheating current to the wire; an air-cooled first conductive body portion configured to receive the weld current and to conduct the weld current and the preheating current to the first contact tip; an air-cooled second conductive body portion configured to receive the preheating current and to conduct the preheating current to the second contact tip; and an insulator coupled between the first and second conductive body portions.

The present application relates to an electric arc welding method to be used with an arc welding arrangement (1) comprising a first power source, a first electrode (2) connected to said first power source, and a second electrode (7), said first electrode (2) being adapted to generate a weld pool (28) via a first electric arc present within a first arc region (31) and said second electrode (7) being adapted to generate said weld pool via a second electric arc present within a second arc region. The first electrode (2) is operated at welding parameters adapted to maintain said first arc ignited. The second electrode (7) is operated at welding parameters adapted to ensure that excess energy from at least said first electrode (2) is required to maintain said second arc ignited. The method comprises the step of feeding said second electrode (7) so that it is allowed to consume excess energy from said first electrode (2) to maintain said second arc ignited. The invention also relates to an arc welding arrangement (1) for carrying out the method.

A method and apparatus for providing welding type power on one of at least two output terminals is disclosed. Input power is received and welding type power is derived and provided by a shared power circuit. The welding type power is provided across a shared terminal and only two process terminals in response to a desired process. The desired process can be set bu user input, feedback, or sensing working connections. The process terminal is selected by selectively opening and closing at least two controllable switches.

Embodiments of modular-based power supply systems to support welding or cutting operations are disclosed. One embodiment includes a module rack having multiple slots configured to accept electrical input power from a single power drop within a welding or cutting environment. Multiple power supply modules are provided that are configured to be inserted into and withdrawn from the multiple slots. Each power supply module is configured to accept an electrical AC input derived from the electrical input power and provide an electrical DC output. The module rack is configured to support reconfigurable parallel electrical connections of subsets of the power supply modules. Each subset is configured to electrically connect to an output power supply stage to provide a dynamic waveform-controlled welding or cutting electrical signal to support generation of a single arc between an electrode and a workpiece.

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.