• Modifying or creating welding programs is easy with Palm® Handhelds

APPLETON, Wis., November 16, 2003—One of the biggest perceived drawbacks with the pulsed MIG welding process is that, for advanced applications, adjusting pulse waveform variables was difficult. With Miller Electric Mfg. Co.’s new WaveWriter™ graphical wave shaping software, creating the perfect pulsed MIG waveform can’t get much easier.

Although Miller’s new Axcess™ series of multi-MIG welding systems are designed to accommodate 95 percent of the pulse welding applications out of the box (no other tools or software required), some special alloys or gas combinations may require pulsed wave form modifications. For these rare situations, Miller offers WaveWriter.

WaveWriter software operates on standard Palm® handhelds that have a data card slot (see Fig. 1). By connecting the Palm to the front of an Axcess system, users can adjust pulse wave forms with their stylus.

“WaveWriter allows welding engineers, distributor experts and other qualified individuals to modify an existing pulse program or develop a customized program for a unique application, alloy or specialty gas mixture,” says Randy Broadwater, product manager for Miller Electric. “WaveWriter allows you to adjust pulse wave form variables on an inexpensive, ordinary Palm handheld that fits into your shirt pocket.”

Broadwater points out that WaveWriter is designed specifically for a Palm handheld because it eliminates many of the drawbacks of older methods of storing, transferring and modifying waveforms. Miller sells WaveWriter or a secure digital memory card. All users do is pop in the card and, after the WaveWriter icon appears on the Palm screen, touch a Miller icon and the program starts running.

“Users can manipulate pulsed MIG variables simply by touching their stylus to the Palm screen on the variable they want to change,” says Broadwater. Program changes are downloaded by connecting the Palm to the front of the Axcess welding system with a Palm cradle and cable connection. Changes can also be made in real-time. As one adjusts variables with WaveWriter, the effects of changes can be viewed in the arc as they actually happen. Programs also can be transferred by e-mail. This assures consistent and repeatable results anywhere in the world.

“WaveWriter operates intuitively and on a convenient, portable, factory-friendly, low-cost platform,” says Broadwater. WaveWriter replaces data cards used in combination with the push-button controls of programmable wire feeders or on integrated robot dedicated power sources.

“Older methods of welding data transfer and manipulation often required factory support, but we believe WaveWriter and its intuitive and simple graphics provide users with the control they’ve been asking for,” Broadwater says.

For more information on WaveWriter, visit MillerWelds.com or call 1-800-4-A-MILLER (800-426-4553).

With headquarters in Appleton, Wis., Miller is a leading worldwide manufacturer of Miller and Hobart brand arc welding equipment and related systems for metalworking, construction, maintenance and other applications. Miller Electric Mfg. Co. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW), Glenview, Ill. ITW is a diversified multinational manufacturer of highly engineered components, assemblies and systems.