An additive manufacturing system is disclosed including multiple conveying pipelines, a mixer and a nozzle. The multiple conveying pipelines are connected to respective material sources. The multiple conveying pipelines are connected to the mixer which is configured to mix in real time powder materials supplied via the multiple conveying pipelines during additive manufacturing. The mixer is connected via a supply pipeline to the nozzle which is configured to deliver mixed material onto a substrate to perform the additive manufacturing. Each of the multiple conveying pipelines is configured to change conveying amount or speed of the powder materials in real time. An additive manufacturing method for the above additive manufacturing system is also disclosed. The additive manufacturing system and method can adjust in real time types or proportions of the materials so as to meet different property requirements for different parts of a product.

In a method and apparatus for monitoring a non-melting welding electrode of an automated arc welding apparatus, using at least one camera, welding electrode images are captured and processed, and the state of the welding electrode is concluded therefrom. The images are captured during a welding process carried out with the arc welding apparatus, the images are reprocessed, and the arc of the welding process is extracted. The shape of the electrode end is determined from the reprocessed images and compared with a predefined shape of the electrode end. The images are reprocessed by capturing at least two images with different exposure times, cutting out and/or weighting partial areas from the at least two images with different exposure times, and combining them to form a composite image. If the determined shape of the electrode end deviates from the predefined shape of the electrode end, a signal is output.

A removable arc welding torch head having a variable electrode receiving aperture that includes a number of discrete, slidable wedges guided within a conical interior surface to enable the head to be used with electrodes of various diameters without changing components of the torch head. The removable nature of the torch, while providing for adequate flow of inert gas, provides an adjusting collar that engages the wedges and forms an adjustable opening for an electrode to be inserted therein.

A torch for performing TIG welding is disclosed. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, the torch includes a torch body having a cavity configured to receive and support an electrode assembly, a first shield gas channel, and a second shield gas channel. The first shield gas channel extends from an external surface of the torch body to a first plenum that is fluidly coupled to the cavity so that the first shield gas channel is configured to direct a first shield gas into the cavity. The first plenum is defined, at least in part, by the cavity and is disposed radially exterior of a portion of the electrode assembly. The second shield gas channel is configured to direct a second shield gas to exit the torch body along a path that that is radially exterior of the cavity.

Aspects of a welding-type cable and torch are provided. The welding-type cable includes a power conductor to conduct welding-type power and a weld torch interface on a distal end of the welding-type cable to attach a weld torch to the power conductor. The welding-type torch includes a power connector to transfer welding-type power between the welding-type torch and a power conductor of a welding-type cable that is detachably coupled to the power connector. An electrode to perform a welding-type operation using the welding-type power is also provided.

A control application implements computer vision techniques to cause a positioning robot and a welding robot to perform fabrication operations. The control application causes the positioning robot to place elements of a structure at certain positions based on real-time visual feedback captured by the positioning robot. The control application also causes the welding robot to weld those elements into place based on real-time visual feedback captured by the welding robot. By analyzing the real-time visual feedback captured by both robots, the control application adjusts the positioning and welding operations in real time.

A TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding torch (10) comprises a torch body (22), a collet (38a,b,c) for retaining a tungsten rod, and a back cap (42), in which the collet 838a,b,c) passes through an aperture in the torch body (22) from the front of the torch body (22) to the rear of the torch body (22), and is joined directly to the back cap (42) by a screw thread (40a,b,c), the collet (38a,b,c) being drawn backwards against a front section of the torch body (22), to close the collet (38a,b,c) and retain the tungsten rod when the screw thread (40a,b,c) is tightened.

A MIG welding torch adapter that attaches to and/or replaces a welding torch's nozzle and enables welding in confined spaces includes: (1) a wire guide, (2) a turning nozzle that is concentric with and encloses said wire guide, (4) a collar that detachably slip-fits onto a MIG welding torch's contact tip, (5) an attachment tube that attaches to the nozzle, (6) an entry guide wire adapter that directs the free end of the torch's electrode wire move into the wire guide, (7) an exit guide wire adapter that guides the electrode wire as it exits this adapter, and (8) entry and exit spacers that enable the torch's shielding gases to flow through this adapter.

In a method and apparatus for monitoring a non-melting welding electrode of an automated arc welding apparatus, using at least one camera, welding electrode images are captured and processed, and the state of the welding electrode is concluded therefrom. The images are captured during a welding process carried out with the arc welding apparatus, the images are reprocessed, and the arc of the welding process is extracted. The shape of the electrode end is determined from the reprocessed images and compared with a predefined shape of the electrode end. The images are reprocessed by capturing at least two images with different exposure times, cutting out and/or weighting partial areas from the at least two images with different exposure times, and combining them to form a composite image. If the determined shape of the electrode end deviates from the predefined shape of the electrode end, a signal is output.

Embodiments of a welding torch with an improved handle are provided. The welding torch may include an electrical conductor, an outer material layer disposed about the electrical conductor, and a sealed vacuum region disposed between the electrical conductor and the outer material layer.