A shear stud welding system is disclosed. The system comprises a shear stud holder, a robotic arm and a microcontroller. The shear stud holder comprises a turret and a first motor coupled to the turret and configured to rotate the turret about an axis to a predetermined angle such that a shear stud among the plurality of shear studs is at a dispensing position. The robotic arm is configured to transfer the shear stud from the shear stud holder to a workpiece. The microcontroller is configured to control the movement of the robotic arm to pick up the shear stud from the dispensing position and transfer the shear stud holder to the workpiece at a welding position and cause the first motor to rotate the turret to a predetermined angle to cause a shear stud among the plurality of shear studs assume the dispensing position.

A method measures an edge of a workpiece by scanning. The scanning is performed by a scanning tool mounted on a moving head of an edge-facing machine while that moving head is moved along the edge to be measured before, during or after an edge facing tool of the edge-facing machine that faces the edge. The method can be performed by an edge-facing machine that includes at least one edge facing tool and that further includes a scanning tool mounted on a movable head of the machine, which head is movable along an edge of a workpiece.

A portable device for precision plasma and oxy-fuel torch cutting is provided. Versions of an example portable cutting torch tool guide the gun of a cutting torch to make precision linear cuts or curved cuts in a metal workpiece. In an implementation, the device is a gun for a cutting torch, with an integrated rail follower and adjustable vertical and horizontal offsets from a workpiece. The cutting torch tool may use various kinds of rails for stable cuts, with optional movement damping, motorized drive, servos for vertical and horizontal offset, and remote control with user interface.

A computerized method is provided for selecting a direction of formation of a slag puddle on a workpiece during processing of the workpiece by a thermal processing torch. The method comprises causing the torch to emit a thermal arc to gouge the workpiece at a first location without piercing through the workpiece. The method also includes translating the torch from the first location to a second location along a first direction on the workpiece while the torch is gouging the workpiece, the first direction substantially along the selected direction of slag puddle formation. The gouging and translating cause formation of a trench in a surface of the workpiece in the first direction. The method further includes causing the thermal arc emitted by the torch to pierce through the workpiece at the second location, which causes the formation of the slag puddle along the selected direction as guided by the trench.

A system for identifying variations at a weld location and accommodating for the variations. The system includes two sensors positioned on each side of a welding location, with a welding device at the welding location. The sensors each emit a signal toward the welding location and receive feedback from the signal that indicates the shape and size of the welding surfaces at the welding location. The sensor information, along with the exact locations and orientations of the sensors, is utilized to determine whether one or more welding parameters should be adjusted.

Embodiments of systems and methods of additive manufacturing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer control apparatus accesses multiple planned build patterns corresponding to multiple build layers of a three-dimensional (3D) part to be additively manufactured. A metal deposition apparatus deposits metal material to form at least a portion of a build layer of the 3D part. The metal material is deposited as a beaded weave pattern, based on a planned path of a planned build pattern, under control of the computer control apparatus. A weave width, a weave frequency, and a weave dwell of the beaded weave pattern may be dynamically adjusted during deposition of the beaded weave pattern. The adjustments are under control of the computer control apparatus based on the planned build pattern, as a width of the build layer varies along a length dimension of the build layer.

A method for manufacturing a razor cartridge component comprises continuously feeding an elongated band of material, separating one or more blade support elements from the elongated band of material, stabilizing the one or more separated blade support elements in a stationary position; providing one or more razor blades; and laser welding the one or more razor blades to respective ones of the stabilized one or more blade support elements.

A self-propelled welding station including a base frame having at least one front wheel and at least two rear drive wheels, provides and independent mobility drive system with a motor and steering means for a seated or standing operator, and a utility drive system providing a self-contained, motorized welder with welding leads for remote welding and a secondary electrical generating system providing a plurality of A/C electrical outlets, an air compressor assembly to provide compressed air to operate air tools and forced air, a plurality of accessory tool and supply storage containers, accessory equipment and a bottled gas system for welding gases, gauges and hoses. The mobility drive system motor is independent from the motorized welder so that the station may be moved whether the motorized welder is on or off, and the motorized welder may be operated with the drive motor system on or off.

Embodiments of systems and methods of additive manufacturing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer control apparatus accesses multiple planned build patterns corresponding to multiple build layers of a three-dimensional (3D) part to be additively manufactured. A metal deposition apparatus deposits metal material to form at least a portion of a build layer of the 3D part. The metal material is deposited as a beaded weave pattern, based on a planned path of a planned build pattern, under control of the computer control apparatus. A weave width, a weave frequency, and a weave dwell of the beaded weave pattern may be dynamically adjusted during deposition of the beaded weave pattern. The adjustments are under control of the computer control apparatus based on the planned build pattern, as a width of the build layer varies along a length dimension of the build layer.

Embodiments of systems and methods of additive manufacturing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer control apparatus accesses multiple planned build patterns corresponding to multiple build layers of a three-dimensional (3D) part to be additively manufactured. A metal deposition apparatus deposits metal material to form at least a portion of a build layer of the 3D part. The metal material is deposited as a beaded weave pattern, based on a planned path of a planned build pattern, under control of the computer control apparatus. A weave width, a weave frequency, and a weave dwell of the beaded weave pattern are dynamically adjusted during deposition of the beaded weave pattern. The adjustments are under control of the computer control apparatus based on the planned build pattern, as a width of the build layer varies along a length dimension of the build layer.