In a method for defining welding parameters for a welding process on a workpiece, a welding torch fastened to a robot is guided over the workpiece along a predetermined welding path and predetermined welding parameters for processing the workpiece are set as a function of the position along the welding path. A welding device carries out a welding process. For the more exact definition of the welding parameters, before the welding process is carried out, at least one parameter representing the cooling is recorded as a function of the position along the welding path, and the at least one parameter representing the cooling along the welding path is considered for the welding process when defining optimized welding parameters as a function of the position along the welding path.

A method controls a portable welding robot to ensure good bead appearance even where a workpiece corner and a curved section of a guide rail are not located on a concentric circle and where there is a large difference in curvature between the workpiece corner and the curved section of the guide rail. A portable welding robot sets a guide rail with respect to a workpiece having a corner and performs arc welding on the workpiece while moving on the guide rail and a welding control device controls the portable welding robot. The control method includes determining a torch position on the workpiece via a torch position determination unit, calculating a torch angle at the torch position via a torch angle calculation unit, and controlling the torch angle via a movable part based on the calculated torch angle.

Systems for simulating joining operations, such as welding, are disclosed. In some examples, a system may use a desktop device for conducting welding simulations, such as for purposes of training. In some examples, the system may additionally, or alternatively, use modular workpieces. In some examples, the system may additionally, or alternatively, conduct the welding simulation based on one or more selected pieces of welding equipment.

An example welding user interface system includes: a user interface configured to receive a plurality of control inputs indicative of a plurality of weld specifications, wherein the plurality of weld specifications comprise two or more physical attributes of a weld, the physical attributes comprising two or more of a workpiece thickness, a joint type, a workpiece material, a fillet size, a penetration depth, a penetration profile, a bead width, a wire type, a wire feed speed, or a gas type; and a processor configured to convert the weld specifications from the plurality of control inputs into electrical parameters of a welding power source, and to control an output welding power of the welding power source based at least in part on the electrical parameters.

The present invention is directed to a system and method of remotely controlling a welding machine with command signals transmitted to the welding power source across a weld cable connecting the power source to a remote device, such a wire feeder. A transmitter transmits the control commands containing desired welding operational parameters to a receiver disposed in the power source across a weld cable also designed to carry welding power from the power source to the wire feeder.

The present invention is directed to a system and method of remotely controlling a welding machine with command signals transmitted to the welding power source across a weld cable connecting the power source to a remote device, such a wire feeder. A transmitter transmits the control commands containing desired welding operational parameters to a receiver disposed in the power source across a weld cable also designed to carry welding power from the power source to the wire feeder.

A real-time virtual reality welding system including a programmable processor-based subsystem, a spatial tracker operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem, at least one mock welding tool capable of being spatially tracked by the spatial tracker, and at least one display device operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem. The system is capable of simulating, in virtual reality space, a weld puddle having real-time molten metal fluidity and heat dissipation characteristics. The system is further capable of importing data into the virtual reality welding system and analyzing the data to characterize a student welder's progress and to provide training.

A real-time virtual reality welding system including a programmable processor-based subsystem, a spatial tracker operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem, at least one mock welding tool capable of being spatially tracked by the spatial tracker, and at least one display device operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem. The system is capable of simulating, in virtual reality space, a weld puddle having real-time molten metal fluidity and heat dissipation characteristics. The system is further capable of importing data into the virtual reality welding system and analyzing the data to characterize a student welder's progress and to provide training.

Methods and apparatus to communicate via a weld cable are disclosed. An example weld circuit communications device includes a receiver circuit, a processor, and a local communications adapter. The receiver circuit to receive a communication via a weld circuit while current is flowing through the weld circuit or after the current has stopped flowing through the weld circuit, the communication including weld voltage feedback information measured at a device remote from a power supply and remote from the weld circuit communications device while the current is flowing through the weld circuit. The processor generates power supply control information based on the weld voltage feedback information. The local communications adapter transmits the power supply control information to control welding-type power output by a power converter to regulate a weld voltage to a weld voltage setpoint.

A method, performed in a welding or cutting system including a power supply configured to deliver a current to a welding torch to create an arc on a cut-off workpiece, comprises: sampling the current to produce digitized current values; filtering the digitized current values using a first digital filter to produce filtered digitized current values; sampling a voltage corresponding to the current to produce digitized voltage values; filtering the digitized voltage values using a second digital filter to produce filtered digitized voltage values; and controlling a current level of the current using the filtered digitized current values or the filtered digitized voltage values.