The Lincoln Electric Co. (www.lincolnelectric.com) released the newest version of its Production Monitoring 2 software that is designed to enable remote review of critical weld data from the shop floor, the executive office or the road.

The software is designed to work in tandem with networked Lincoln Electric Power Wave power sources, and allow engineers and executives to stay connected with the shop floor from anywhere in the world, to ensure that welding systems are working properly and problems are identified quickly and efficiently.

Lincoln Electric said the software now is available at no cost to all Power Wave owners.

It adds a new web browser-based user interface, a new data management system through Microsoft SQL server express and support for Lincoln Electric's True Energy data. These enhanced features provide additional tools to ensure increased up-times and productivity on the shop floor.

The Production Monitoring 2 software also contains the benefits of Lincoln Electric's original shop monitoring program.

Besides monitoring weld data, it allows for storing and sharing of files, monitoring production tasks, setting weld limits and tolerances, and tracking consumable inventory. Welding machine faults can also be logged and emailed.

By integrating digital technology to networked welding equipment, the software is designed to allow key personnel to perform the following functions from anywhere:

• Setting welding limits based on a sampling with the Installation/Set-Up Wizard.

• View the status of multiple welding power sources at the push of a button.

• Collect and store short-term and long-term weld history.

• Execute actions or develop communications alerts when out-of-limit.

• Pinpoint work shift problems and evaluate production cycle and output using work shift timers and production reports.

• Manage and set tolerance for each of 32 unique weld profiles.

• E-mail data to multiple users to provide information on specific events and potential or real-time problems.

• Track wire use automatically and provide notification to minimize downtime for consumable replacement.

• Generate power source performance reports.

The new Production Monitoring 2 software is available on a set of CDs.