Had a go with Millers Augmentarc simulator.

[DieselSaves]

I went to a trade show yesterday and amongst all the offerings at a welding supply house space was trial runs with a welding simulator. I’ve never played with any AR platform and it is impressive how true to life the process could be.

The setup involves a helmet with the welders personal screen tied to the processor, a monitor for instructor and class to view the enhanced display, a T shaped welding platform and a mig gun, each with external cues for the computer to read. Everything is adjustable in the software, wire type, size, gas, flux core option, and the simulated welds look about how I imagine a real one would for the effort. They offer a TIG and stick accessory but I didn’t get to play with either of them.

I’m embarrassed to admit my first score was only a 94 but this was a new experience. The price tossed out was way over my range but as a first introduction to welding, this could be a huge boon to a range of potential welders. The guy running the booth says it’s a big hit when they take it to FFA events.

 

[corn chip]

ive not used those simulators but i read allitle about them. suprisingly they been around 10yrs or so. theres even a simulator/video game app for your phone on the play store. can read about it here https://www.fronius.com/en/welding-...tions/welding-education/welducation-basic-app

 

[bdbecker]

...The price tossed out was way over my range but as a first introduction to welding, this could be a huge boon to a range of potential welders...

The price is my biggest hangup. We keep rolling around the idea of getting one for training, but for what they want for that system, you could buy a couple of Continuum 500's, a boat load of consumables, cut a bunch of test plates, and just teach people the old fashioned way. But what do I know... the younger people coming into the workforce today are used to this type of technology and it could very well be the ticket for getting them up to speed faster.

Jeez that makes me sound old. I'm not, but then again, I graduated high school before some of these guys were even born.

 

[dr_clyde]

I’ve tried these and don’t care for them. You need a lot more haptic feedback and other real world effects to make it real. How do you know not to put your hand there if it isn’t hot? How can you feel the wire or rod interaction with the puddle? What about stuff like arc blow and fingernailing? Interaction with the molten slag pool on top of the weld or how things like surface tension and gravity effect the weld pool? Where to put your head to avoid smoke and spatter? How to hold your arms to not collect sparks in your elbow and clothes?

I think they’re a nifty gadget but I’d never buy one to train welders with. Not nearly real enough yet and the price is ridiculous.