Workpiece positioner and welding sequencer

A method of manipulating a welding work cell, the method comprising:

• a welding job sequencer of the welding work cell sending first command data to a workpiece positioning system of the welding work cell holding a workpiece in a current weld position, wherein the first command data corresponds to a next weld position in accordance with a next step of a welding sequence of a welding schedule;
• the workpiece positioning system, configured to power an elevating motion to adjust a height position of the workpiece and a rotational motion to adjust a rotational position of the workpiece, re-positioning the workpiece from the current weld position to the next weld position in response to the first command data for a next welding operation to be performed by a human operator;
• the welding job sequencer sending second command data to a welding power source of the welding work cell configured to generate welding output power based on a current set of welding parameters, wherein the second command data corresponds to a next set of welding parameters in accordance with the next step of the welding sequence of the welding schedule;
• and
• the welding power source adjusting the current set of welding parameters to the next set of welding parameters in response to the second command data, and the welding power source sending confirmation data to the welding job sequencer to confirm that the current set of welding parameters have been properly adjusted to the next set of welding parameters in accordance with the second command data.

A networked welding work cell comprising:

• a workpiece positioning system configured to power an elevating motion to adjust a height position of a workpiece and a rotational motion to adjust a rotational position of the workpiece to re-position the workpiece for a next weld to be performed by a human operator;
• a welding power source configured to generate welding output power based on a current set of welding parameters of the welding power source, wherein the welding power source is part of a welding system used by the human operator for welding the workpiece;
• a computerized network;
• a welding job sequencer in communication with the workpiece positioning system and the welding power source via the computerized network, wherein the welding job sequencer is configured to:
• command the workpiece positioning system to re-position the workpiece from a current weld position to a next weld position in accordance with a next step of a welding sequence of a welding schedule, and
• command the welding power source to adjust the current set of welding parameters to a next set of welding parameters in accordance with the next step of the welding sequence of the welding schedule,
• wherein the welding power source is configured to send confirmation data to the welding job sequencer to confirm that the current set of welding parameters have been properly adjusted to the next set of welding parameters.