Welding Power Supply GUI for Automatic Parameter Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional welding systems require manual selection of parameters like voltage and wire feed speed, and rely on operators to calculate settings based on material thickness, which can be complex and error-prone.

Innovation Solution

A graphical user interface and controller combination that automatically adjusts welding parameters, such as voltage and wire feed speed, based on selected electrode diameter and material thickness, providing visual indicators for optimal settings and allowing manual adjustment for desired performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual parameter selection is used, then operator control is maintained, but setup complexity and error probability increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter selectionVSAvoidsetup procedure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic parameter calculation and adjustment based on material thickness input, eliminating the need for manual calculation and reducing setup errors while maintaining operator control through graphical interface interaction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically adjusts welding parameters (voltage, wire feed speed) based on the selected material thickness, dynamically changing parameters to match the specific welding application without requiring manual recalculation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If automatic parameter adjustment is implemented, then setup time is reduced, but operator control flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetup speedVSAvoidoperator control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic parameter adjustment where the graphical interface allows operators to manually override automatic settings and adjust parameters in real-time based on specific welding conditions and preferences

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system displays visual feedback through color-coded graphical indicators showing optimal parameter ranges, allowing operators to make informed adjustments while maintaining the benefits of automatic calculation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If calculated parameters are used, then welding consistency is improved, but calculation time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding parameter accuracyVSAvoidparameter setup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores optimal parameter combinations for different material thicknesses, allowing rapid parameter retrieval and adjustment during operation without performing complex calculations in real-time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual calculation methods with automated electronic computation through the controller and graphical interface, dramatically reducing the time required to determine accurate welding parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4003631B1User interface for welding power supply, and welding power supply with such user interface
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP4003631B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4003631B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4003631B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Welding power supplies and user interfaces for welding power supplies are disclosed. An example welding-type system includes a wire feeder and a welding-type power supply having a graphical user interface (GUI, 200) that includes a first graphical interface (202) representing a first welding parameter, and a second graphical interface (204) representing a second welding parameter. A controller receives data corresponding to output values for each of the first and second welding parameters, respectively. The controller receives an output value associated with the second welding parameter and calculates a range of values for each of the first and second welding parameter based on the received second welding parameter output value and one or more corresponding welding process parameters. First and second graphical bands (210, 224) representing the range of values for a respective welding parameter are generated and displayed.