Method and apparatus for assessing weld quality

A method for determining a quality of a weld produced by a welding device, comprising:

• determining a desired welding process by selecting from among a constant voltage welding process, a pulsed current welding process, and a spot welding process;
• selecting a welding process algorithm based on the desired welding process, said step of selecting a welding process algorithm comprising:
• selecting a constant voltage algorithm if the desired welding process is determined to be the constant voltage welding process;
• selecting a pulsed current analysis algorithm if the desired welding process is determined to be the pulsed current welding process;
• and
• selecting a short duration weld algorithm if the desired welding process is determined to be the spot welding process;
• detecting the initiation of a welding process;
• monitoring at least one welding process parameter during the welding process;
• processing the at least one welding process parameter in accordance with the selected welding process algorithm to assess the quality of the weld;
• and
• producing a user-discernable indication of the quality of the weld.

A method of operating a computer to determine a quality of a weld produced by a welding device, comprising:

• determining a desired welding process by selecting from among a constant voltage welding process, a pulsed current welding process, and a spot welding process;
• programming the computer to select a welding process algorithm based on the desired welding process, said step of programming the computer to select a welding process algorithm comprising:
• instructing the computer to select a constant voltage algorithm if the desired welding process is determined to be the constant voltage welding process;
• instructing the computer to select a pulsed current analysis algorithm if the desired welding process is determined to be the pulsed current welding process;
• and
• instructing the computer to select a short duration weld algorithm if the desired welding process is determined to be the spot welding process;
• detecting the initiation of a welding process;
• monitoring at least one welding process parameter during the welding process;
• processing the at least one welding process parameter in accordance with the selected welding process algorithm to assess the quality of the weld;
• and
• producing a user-discernable indication of the quality of the weld.