Any "welding simulator" software?

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They recently had a piece on local TV about a welding simulator at a local Community College.What's the state of the software?A search on simulator showed very few results here.Do they have something that will send some weld spatter down your crotch ?  Make the stick smoke so you can't see?Any online demo's?
Reply:Originally Posted by newburyDo they have something that will send some weld spatter down your crotch ?  Make the stick smoke so you can't see??
Reply:I spent a week at Lincoln Electric in Cleveland. It's a week of "learning", but also a week of "selling". One of the things that they touted was their Simulated Welding Machine (SWM). As they were spewing all the benefits of this machine, particularly of how well it is received but the kids of today, I was immediately turned off by this.Apparently, these SWM's are loved and adored at tech fairs by the young and old alike, particularly the young. The kids line up to "run a bead on this". "They get instant feedback of the results which is what the younger generation wants....instant gratification."  This is part of the sales pitch. And it goes on, and on, and on....it's basically an expensive video game.I was boiling inside, while listening to this. Little back story....these SWM's were originally "invented" by Lincoln for the company where I work, back in the day. Of course, these SWM's weren't as sophisticated as they are today. While myself, and 2 of my co-workers were were attendees at this week-long seminar, along with about 20 other people from all over the US, we were seated first row, front and center of these long tables. I guess we were considered the "big-time guests" here, because we have literally thousands of Lincoln welding machines at work.So, as the lecturer was speaking, sometimes an important Lincoln dignitary would come walking through the door to greet all the attendees. The first question would be, "Where are the EB people?" That's us.They'd come over, introduce themselves, and shake our hands. Only us, too...kind of embarrassing, really.I guess they were hoping that we'd go back to our boss, and say, "Hey, we think you should buy about 20 of these particular machines....they're real nice...". All we are are welding instructors, with no clout, at all.Anyway, the whole week had these types of moments. Don't get me wrong, much of the week was really good, too.Back to these SWM's...I was boiling as the sales pitch of these went on. "These things are so realistic, it's unbelievable!" Yadda, yadda, yadda. When it was time to ask questions, I raised my hand. I asked a simple question..." If you are practicing stick welding, does this machine "allow" you to stick the electrode to the metal?" "Because, every welder does that, and must be taught what to do, when that happens.""No, it doesn't.""Hmmm...that's not good...".I had a ton more questions that would have negated the realism of this "video game", but I decided to keep my mouth shut.These things sell for over $60K each, plus there's different software available at added cost.I also thought that in a welding school, where we have about 20 GMAW machines, if a school decided to buy these SWM's, do you buy 1 or 2 of them, and have the students line up, run 1 bead, move on so the next student can run a bead, etc., etc...or do you buy many of them? $$$$$$$$$$!!They also would have to be in a nice clean room, too. After all, they are a computer. So, you'd need a separate room just for these.BTW...even though these things were designed for our company back in the day, our company never bought a one of these.My feeling on these is this...for the price of one of these SWM's you could buy 6-10 real welding machines, that teach someone the realities of welding, and that can actually produce some product, if need be.The SWM's are a joke.My 2 cents...thanks for letting me vent....Rich
Reply:I gave an old Lenco weld trainer to my son's ,it had a hood , stick mig & tig handles and soft ware in the computer , I asked what happened to it the other week but only got a shoulder shrug, must have went out in the trash when they couldn't play  GTA . It was state of the art several decade's ago . I had gotten it on Ebay from some school in Knoxville  and sent it to lenco and they referbushed it , the stick weld feature would shorten the rod as you welded so you had to hold the proper arc. and for smoke in your eyes and sparks in your crotch  you had to smoke benson &hedges 100'sLast edited by gxbxc; 07-25-2015 at 10:03 PM.
Reply:If you get a mig simulator pay for the software upgrade that causes digital birds nests to randomly happen and liner clogging.My "collection":Homemade Stick WelderVictor O/A TorchAC 225Ideal Arc 250HF 90 Amp Flux CoreHF Mig 170Solar 2020 Plasma CutterPower i-Mig 140EHarris O/A torchHF Dual Mig 131140STAlpha Tig 200x
Reply:Are you sure you do not have that software mixed up with the a cell phone app.  ?Magazines have issues, everything else has problems
Reply:Originally Posted by newburyThey recently had a piece on local TV about a welding simulator at a local Community College.What's the state of the software?A search on simulator showed very few results here.Do they have something that will send some weld spatter down your crotch ?  Make the stick smoke so you can't see?Any online demo's?
Reply:My local Votech had one. What pos. It doesn't work right and when I went in my first year it was easier for me run a bead on plate then on that machine. I have 2 certs now but I still can't pass anything on that machine. I hate it. I don't touch it. I don't play with it. I just go about my day the old fashioned way. Practice makes perfect
Reply:Originally Posted by bbertbMy local Votech had one. What pos. It doesn't work right and when I went in my first year it was easier for me run a bead on plate then on that machine. I have 2 certs now but I still can't pass anything on that machine. I hate it. I don't touch it. I don't play with it. I just go about my day the old fashioned way. Practice makes perfect
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauAnd that's the way it SHOULD be. No substitute for the REAL thing. Kind of like sex, do want a simulator, or the real thing? Make up your mind, we don't have all day for you to decide.