What are the latest advancements in welding technology?

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In order to get caught up to speed I would like to ask, what would be considered the latest advancements (within this past year or two) in welding technology such as certain machine features, functions, etc if any?
Reply:Physics don't change.   But if you need lots of idiot lights and buttons there are plenty of machines out there waiting for your money.    The processes haven't changed.   3 in 1 machines are getting popular as well as the low cost AC/DC machines.  Though none of this is really new.  Plenty of folks all welding with 50year old machines everyday.   If you want ultimate reliability go with a transformer machineTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawPhysics don't change.   But if you need lots of idiot lights and buttons there are plenty of machines out there waiting for your money.    The processes haven't changed.   3 in 1 machines are getting popular as well as the low cost AC/DC machines.  Though none of this is really new.  Plenty of folks all welding with 50year old machines everyday.   If you want ultimate reliability go with a transformer machine
Reply:i agree many bells a whistles, some  advancements are good like digital display for wire speed and voltage some are not needed like autoset in my opinion  you should not be picking up a mig gun unless you have some knowledge as to where to set the machine for the task at hand. I like inverter welders because of there small footprint , but they will break down more so than a simple transformer based power source as southpaw pointed out
Reply:You people sounded like the Oxy-acetylene welders when arc welding first came alone 100 years ago.  but they will break down more so than a simple transformer based power source as southpaw pointed out
Reply:inverter power supplies are not new I agree ,but they fail more often due to the fact that they have a lot more components. Ive repaired many  switch mode power supplies due to simple component failure like blown cap, mosfet, etc.  I do prefer the inverter welder .
Reply:Originally Posted by asmYou people sounded like the Oxy-acetylene welders when arc welding first came alone 100 years ago.  With statement like that, do you have any number from a study that back up such claim?  The fact of the matter is, inverter based power conversion is not new.  It has been used in other industries even in home electronics for years.  Look at your cell phone and laptop chargers.  They used to be size of a brick, they are now tiny and barely generate any heat.   All those are inverter based power converters.   On industrial level, inverter based power converters are found in high end IT equipments operating on both single phase and 3 phase power.  One advantage of inverter based power converter is the efficiency.  90% is not uncommon when designed correctly.  Transformer based power converter would never reach such level of efficiency.  Does one need all the bells and whistles from those fancy new inverter based unit to weld?  Probably not.  But, stating inverter based unit will break down more often is probably baseless.  ..
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelThe Liebert power distribution units in my data centers use k13 transformers to change 3 phase 480 to 120/208y as do the newest unit on the market. I normally see a power factor of .96 or better (even from the units that were installed in 1998).
Reply:I'm not near the level of professional that many of you are, but have done quite a bit of stick welding.  I have always used a transformer base machines.  I have not had the chance to weld with a machine "arc force" before.  I recently bought an inverter base 3 in 1 unit.  I can adjust the arc force for 6010 type rods, and it's a cool feature. I realize that adjustable dig is not new, but the price point of has changed from technology.   I will say also that that future was probably add out of necessity.  I have an Idealarc 250/300 also and it just welds, no tuning, just go! Pros and Cons to everything.........
Reply:Originally Posted by asmWith statement like that, do you have any number from a study that back up such claim?  The fact of the matter is, inverter based power conversion is not new.  It has been used in other industries even in home electronics for years.  Look at your cell phone and laptop chargers. Does one need all the bells and whistles from those fancy new inverter based unit to weld?  Probably not.  But, stating inverter based unit will break down more often is probably baseless.
Reply:Originally Posted by awill4x4Yeah, but do they allow you to change the AC Hz up to 400Hz, or change from sine to soft square to advanced square to triangular waveforms. or adjust the percentage of AC pos and neg within a waveform, or in the new 280 Dynasty to change the actual waveform on both the pos and neg sides so you actually have 2 waveforms running in the arc, or pulse on the DC side up to 5000 pps.I grew up with transformer welders and changed about 12 years ago to inverters and given the choice I'm never going back.Regards Andrew from Oz.
Reply:Originally Posted by jhkuanIn order to get caught up to speed I would like to ask, what would be considered the latest advancements (within this past year or two) in welding technology such as certain machine features, functions, etc if any?
Reply:I have developed a technique for O/A welding UNDERWATER with a standard O/A torch set up. Works very well too, some said it couldn't be done. I had to prove them wrong. They will now regrettably admit, I am able to do it.
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauI have developed a technique for O/A welding UNDERWATER with a standard O/A torch set up. Works very well too, some said it couldn't be done. I had to prove them wrong. They will now regrettably admit, I am able to do it.
Reply:I don't think the "Welding Technology" has changed much, however the welding "Equipment" has changed a lot.....  Equipment changes have made significant advancements in efficiency and portability and utilization...  My Dynasty 200DX does way more than my original transformer Miller Econo-Twin HF and uses less input power for the same output .... As far as "Welding Technology", a weld is still done by melting the workpieces and adding a filler material to form a pool of molten material that cools to become a strong joint.  There may just be more available options to accomplish the same task.GlenMiller Dynasty 200DX - Millermatic 350P - Hypertherm Powermax 45Want to sell!! - Hobart Handler 150
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveThat's cheating - no digital readout or pulse setting
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauDigital read out is useless when you are focused on watching the puddle, as you should be when welding. Besides, I don't need either one to accomplish this type of weld.
Reply:I would say advanced pulse mapping, Regulated Metal Deposition, and the more complex current maps. If I was talking about cutting edge technology, this is what I think of. That and the amazing size of modern welders.Constant Current Weldor.
Reply:In my financial career, wording, especially in financial statements was extremely critical.... that being said, the wording of the thread topic "advancement in welding technology" makes me think of the welding process and the welding equipment in different ways.  Stick, TIG and MIG process hasn't really changed, but the equipment has... however I would say laser and plasma welding might be some technical advancements...  Originally Posted by DavidbrownI would say advanced pulse mapping, Regulated Metal Deposition, and the more complex current maps. If I was talking about cutting edge technology, this is what I think of. That and the amazing size of modern welders.
Reply:One area I would venture a guess in the last decade or two that's seen lots of advancement would be high strength alloys and probably some very specific WPS on how to weld them using advance pulse, frequency etc so as to protect the strength.   I posted a while back about an article in Motor trade magazine that the #of high strength alloys doubled in a decade.Think of all the unibody designs.  It's all being done to reduce weight and increase mpg.   Go look at a toyota truck display of the frame design at the dealer. Multiple frame thicknesses and shapes welded together to make the frame.Last edited by soutthpaw; 10-11-2014 at 10:55 PM.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:AC mig welding looks nice unsure if its new technology,  I used to have a 200 amp high frequency portable DC stick/tig welder that could make a wino look like a pro, the machine was named burco mosa and ran on a 123cc 2 stroke engine with auto idle and boy did that machine squeal like a pig when it ran. The zena welders are pretty much the same technology.Shame the technology never really took off because its easy to use and very portable machines. Machines are still available if you import from Italy or buy a zena welder.
Reply:Originally Posted by jhkuanIn order to get caught up to speed I would like to ask, what would be considered the latest advancements (within this past year or two) in welding technology such as certain machine features, functions, etc if any?
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749www.google.com is a great place to look for answers to such an open ended, ambiguously worded question.Likely spam.IMHO of course
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Specific questions usually garner specific answers. There's a thousand different answers to a thousand different facets of the question you asked. Where does one even start?After almost seven years on this board, questions like this are usually followed by a barrage of spam or embedded links by the same user. I just called it how I saw it. Nobody even has a clue how much spam we mop up before anyone else even sees or reports it. It can grow tiresome at times, hence the callus response.Good luck with your endeavors.IMHO of course
Reply:Originally Posted by jhkuanAgain my sincerest apologies, much obliged for the tip, I will keep that in mind...thanks!I say the original post sounds like a homework assignment from someone too lazy to do his own work.When I was in school, this was SOP for the Chinese students OPTry a welding magazine, or asking a salesman, they should be happy to tell you why they are latest and greatest, plus give you all the supporting documents.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonWho do you work for?
Reply:Originally Posted by 12345678910I say the original post sounds like a homework assignment from someone too lazy to do his own work.When I was in school, this was SOP for the Chinese students OPTry a welding magazine, or asking a salesman, they should be happy to tell you why they are latest and greatest, plus give you all the supporting documents.
Reply:Originally Posted by jhkuanDoes it even matter? I'm not here to promote any specific company or brand, truly. Although, I did just recently enter this industry, I am just trying to get myself familiar with it as well as using and interacting with people on the forums. Please try to be understanding, thanks.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonWell you gave us this much. I don't see why you can't answer some of our questions. I may be a customer or yours.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749No need to apologize man.Wish you the best of luck on finding some answers to your questions.
Reply:In about 100yrs, I'd say it would be the pipeliner BBQ "Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammIn about 100yrs, I'd say it would be the pipeliner BBQ
Reply:According to some dudes from NASA : Friction Stir Welding is the newest good thing in welding(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friction_stir_welding), newer and cooler than Keyhole Laser Welding even.I probably won't even Plasma Arc Weld at home in my shop, but I did buy a Plasma Cutter recently, they might be one of the more important recent developments.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A