Back in October, the American Welding Society brought a large promotional truck over to the 2013 Maker Faire in NYC. Once inside, visitors had access to welded sculptures, information about career opportunities, and the opportunity to try their hand at arc welding.
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The welding wasn’t real of course. Lincoln Electric had brought over a couple of their VRTEX 360 virtual reality welding machines.
I spoke with a local representative of the American Welding Society, who said that these virtual reality welding trainers are commonly used in the US military as a way to determine which candidates are most suitable to continue onto welding training.
According to the AWS rep, these welding simulations can be used for training, but are commonly used for testing.
I convinced my wife to give it a try first, and she donned the uncomfortable and vision-blocking welding helmet, which has two small LCD screens that show the same information as on an external screen.
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The virtual welding software scores you based on bead accuracy, probe angle, and speed. The display even simulates sparking, and according to Lincoln Electric is can also simulates slag, pipe grinding, and weld cooling.
When used for training or testing purposes, instructors have their own display, which highlight different failures or deficiencies, such as poor bead placement, incorrect weld sizing, excess splatter, porosity, slag inclusions, and convex or concave bead profiles.
Here’s what it looks like inside the helmet:
How much does all this cost? According to Google, about $50K per complete VRTEX 360 package.
Using the VRTEX 360 virtual reality welding trainer was a pretty neat experience. I scored a bit higher than my wife did, but she’ll argue that it’s because I skipped putting on the helmet and only watched the overhead display.
Simulated welding isn’t a substitute for hands-on welding experience or training, but it seems like it could be useful for initial/beginner training.
Maybe it even demystified welding for some of the kids and adults who packed into the small AWS trailer. Many of those who experienced the Lincoln Electric welding trainer probably learned and thought about welding more in 5 minutes than most people do in a lifetime. At the least, everyone seemed to be having fun.
LORDDiESEL
thats damn cool!!!
Jerry
Does the handle give feedback, like a real welder does?
Yadda
Really cool. I for one am interested in welding. I would like more information on getting started with a entry level welding unit and setting a base line for welding equipment for the entry level user.
Jerry
Can’t go wrong with about any one from a reputable manufacturer.
If going MIG, get one you can use gas with, and be sure it has infinite wire speed adjustment. Also, beware the economy ones with only one or two heat settings. They may work ok in some instances, but if you have any plans on doing welding projects, more is better. For instance, my current MIG welder has 24 settings, and I also have a small 110v one for small projects and ease of portability that has infinite heat settings. Infinite heat is not a necessity, but helpful when welding thin metal, like auto body welding.
Grady Bookout
My wife would cut in line to give it a try.
Mac
Yadda – take a night class locally. Usually a couple nights a week, and a couple hundred bucks. I did years ago and it was well worth the money. Melting metal is just plain awesome. Most are some class time and a lot of hands on time.
Stuart
I think that’s generally the best recommendation. Local welding suppliers might have information about who offers classes in the area.
joe
I was a welder once in my teen years…I would understand a virtual machine for something expensive like flying an airplane, but not for something relatively inexpensive. IMO. I mean, scraps of metal and welding wire/rods.
The best way I learned fast was by an expert giving me the experience of the trade as experience advice…trust me…one word….really, one word that can click in your head, can make you a good welder. That’s all it takes.
That is hard to come by cus nobody wants to give you advise to do good because they feel like they went through a lot to learn in order to give it out just like that in one magical word. How I know, the welder was a friend of mine who got me that job. He actually wanted me to learn :)…
This also reminds me of others jobs where when you get a long well with an expert, one word can make a difference finding that missing link than having to learn on your own 🙂
Madison
Where can you buy this and how much?
Stuart
You can’t. This was on a Lincoln Electric event truck.
Riley
I’ve go 2 used ones for sale $15,000 each still in amazing condition. New they go for $50,000.
Dean Plowman
Do you still have them?
dean
Riley
Yes call 435-823-5897 and ask for Riley if you are interested.
ian
I know this is old but do you still have a virtual welder for sale?