Torch System Personalized Interface for Welding Process Profiles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Operators face productivity losses due to the time-consuming process of switching between different welding and cutting processes on multi-process torch systems, as they need to manually adjust settings for each process, and personal preferences are not easily accommodated across multiple users.

Innovation Solution

A multi-process torch system with a personalized interface featuring configurable profiles that allow operators to save and recall operational parameters for various welding processes, enabling quick selection and adjustment of settings through intuitive controls and interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of settings for each welding process is implemented, then operational flexibility is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system stores pre-configured process settings for multiple welding and cutting processes in memory. When a process is selected, the corresponding settings are automatically recalled and applied, eliminating the need for manual adjustment each time. This preliminary preparation of settings resolves the contradiction by maintaining operational flexibility while dramatically reducing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates and stores copies of optimal settings for different welding and cutting processes. These copied settings can be quickly retrieved and applied when switching between processes, allowing operators to maintain flexibility across different operations without repeatedly manually configuring each setting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If multiple operators use a single torch system, then resource utilization is improved, but setup time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system stores individualized operator profiles with personalized settings for each operator. When an operator logs in or selects their profile, their preferred settings are automatically applied. This preliminary organization of operator-specific configurations allows multiple operators to share the system efficiently without requiring setup time for each user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically applies the correct settings based on the selected operator profile without requiring manual intervention. The operator simply selects their profile, and the system self-configures the appropriate parameters, eliminating the time-consuming manual setup process while enabling multiple operators to use the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If process switching requires manual setting changes, then control precision is improved, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system stores precisely configured settings for each welding and cutting process in advance. When a process is selected, the pre-configured settings are automatically applied, maintaining control precision while eliminating the need for operators to manually adjust multiple parameters, thus reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2237918B1Torch system with personalized interface
Publication Date: 2018.04.25 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP2237918B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2237918B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2237918B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a system and method for quick identification and selection of torch processes based on a profile scheme. In an illustrated embodiment, a profile selectable via a one-click process may define operational parameters for one or more torch processes. Multiple profiles (114) may be identified by corresponding labels (38) that are visible on the face of the system. Furthermore, in an illustrated embodiment, the profiles and associated torch processes may be automatically stored in the system upon user configuration of the operational parameters. For example, in one embodiment, the user may select a profile and configure a welding process. Upon changing an operational parameter, it may be automatically saved to the selected profile and process. Reselection of that profile may recall the last used process and its associated parameters. The operational parameters of other configured processes may then be retrieved by selecting the desired process within the selected profile.