Configurable welding interface for automated welding applications

Abstract

A welding power source including an embedded web server provides access to an operator at a remote web browser. From the remote web browser, the user is provided access to weld functions, and can selectively choose between weld functions that can be displayed and controlled from the remote web browser. The weld functions that can be accessed include control functions, which allow an operator to activate welding functions such as a jog or purge function; a command function, which allows an operator to provide a command level for a voltage, wire feed speed, or other parameter; and a display function, which provides access for an operator to display welding command and actual feedback values. The operator can also selectively view diagnostic data, including weld state data, error data, and operational voltage and current levels within the power source, such as motor voltage and input voltage levels. After an operator selects parameters to be displayed or controlled from the browser, the selected functions can be stored and recalled as a web page.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for providing a customized remote interface for a welding power source having an embedded web server, the method comprising the following steps:
 communicatively coupling an embedded web server to a controller of the welding power source;   programming the embedded web server to provide selective access to executable weld functions from an interface at a remote web browser, the weld functions selectively providing at least one of a display function for displaying selected weld parameters and feedback, a control function for controlling welding power source functions, and a command function for providing output commands to the welding system;   prompting a user to select a plurality of the executable weld functions to customize an interface to display weld feedback, control welding system on/off functions and command weld output at the power source and wire feeder from the remote browser;   building a remote interface to include the selected executable weld functions; and   selectively storing the customized remote interface for recall from at least one of the remote browser or another browser.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of programming the embedded web server comprises dynamically generating pages created by web server extensions running on the embedded web server. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of programming the embedded web server comprises storing static data accessible to the dynamically generated pages in a memory component in the welding power source. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the static data comprises at least one of an HTML web page, a cascading style sheet document, an image file and a JavaScript source code document. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of selectively choosing a display function comprises enabling a user to select between and specify display of at least one of an actual voltage, an actual current, and an actual wire speed feedback parameter for inclusion on the interface at the remote web browser, and accessing real-time feedback data for these functions from the welding power source. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of selectively choosing a display function comprises enabling a user to select between and specify display of a selected weld program, and a weld process type that is in use at the welding power source. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of selectively choosing the control function comprises providing access to an operator at the remote browser to selectively activate an on/off function corresponding to the welding power source and the wire feed system, the control function providing at least one of a trigger weld function, a purge, a jog, and a retract control. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of selectively choosing the command function comprises enabling an operator at the remote browser to selectively display and adjust at least one of a voltage/trim command, a wire speed command, and an arc adjustment/inductance command that provide an output command level for at least one of the welding power source. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of building comprises the step of accessing a library of control functions for displaying and controlling weld parameters in the welding power source, to provide the user access to build a customized operator interface at the remote client browser for monitoring and controlling the power supply.