Modular welding system and method

Abstract

A modular welding system for performing quick, easy and high quality welds. The modular welding system comprises a basic component system and a modular fixture component system. The basic component system provides the basic components which are needed to perform a quality weld efficiently. The modular fixture component system interfaces with the basic component system and provides a particular welding fixture assembly that performs a particular type of weld. More particularly, a stiffener type modular fixture component system and a butt/tee type modular fixture system are described. However, any other particular fixture type system may be integrated with the basic component system of the present invention.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A modular welding system, comprising: 
 (a) a basic component system having an operator control module which controls a power supply and controls a wire feeder; and    (b) a modular fixture component system which interfaces with said basic component system, said modular fixture component system having a particular fixture assembly which performs a particular type of weld.    
     
     
         2 . The welding system of  claim 1 , wherein said basic component system further comprises a power supply control module which communicates inputs from said operator control module to said power supply.  
     
     
         3 . The welding system of  claim 2 , wherein said basic component system further comprises a wire feeder control module which communicates inputs from said operator control module to said wire feeder.  
     
     
         4 . The welding system of  claim 3 , wherein said basic component system further comprises an articulated boom which is configured to receive said modular fixture component system.  
     
     
         5 . The welding system of  claim 4 , wherein said modular fixture component system comprises a weld torch which receives said at least one welding wire from said wire feeder.  
     
     
         6 . The welding system of  claim 5 , where said modular fixture component system comprises an oscillator slide configured to oscillate said weld torch.  
     
     
         7 . The welding system of  claim 6 , wherein said modular fixture component system comprises an oscillator control module in communication with said operator control module, said oscillator control module configured to control said oscillator slide.  
     
     
         8 . The welding system of  claim 5  wherein said modular fixture component system includes a stiffener fixture frame.  
     
     
         9 . The welding system of  claim 5  wherein said modular fixture component system includes a butt/tee fixture frame.  
     
     
         10 . A modular welding system having a basic component system which comprises: 
 a boom configured to receive at least one welding wire;    a wire feeder coupled to said boom, said wire feeder configured to transfer said at least one wire across said boom; and    an operator's control module configured to control said wire feeder.    
     
     
         11 . The basic component system of  claim 10  further comprising a wire feed control module which receives wire feed signals from said operator's control module and controls the communications of said wire feed signals to said wire feeder.  
     
     
         12 . The basic component system of  claim 11  further comprising a power supply control module which receives power supply signals from said operator's control module and controls the communications of said power supply signals to a power supply.  
     
     
         13 . The basic component system of  claim 12  further comprising a wire straightener which straightens said at least one wire transferred by said wire feeder.  
     
     
         14 . A modular welding system having a modular fixture component system, comprising: 
 a weld torch configured to receive at least one welding wire from a wire feeder, said weld torch also configured to receive a consumable guide tube which receives said at least one wire, said weld torch configured to communicate power generated by a power supply to said guide tube; and    an oscillator slide configured to oscillate said weld torch.    
     
     
         15 . The modular fixture component system of  claim 14  further comprising at least one manual slide to position said weld torch.  
     
     
         16 . The modular fixture component system of  claim 15  further comprising an oscillation control module which controls said oscillator slide.  
     
     
         17 . The modular fixture component system of  claim 16  further comprising a weld torch rotator configured to rotate said weld torch.  
     
     
         18 . The modular fixture component system of  claim 17  further comprising two weld shoes which define a weld cavity which receives said guide tube.  
     
     
         19 . The modular fixture component system of  claim 18  having a stiffener fixture frame.  
     
     
         20 . The modular fixture component system of  claim 18  having a butt/tee fixture frame.