TPT September 2011

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50 September 2011 ›
Industry News
THE Lincoln Electric Company was
honoured by Cleveland-based Inside
Business magazine recently with the Manny
Award in the new product development
category for the VRTEX® 360 virtual
reality arc welding trainer. Since 1998,
the Manny Awards have been committed
to recognising Northeast Ohio companies
for their innovation and best practices in
areas such as product development, green
initiatives and workplace environment.
The VRTEX 360 is a virtual reality
arc welding training system that allows
students to practice their welding technique
in a simulated environment. It promotes
the efficient transfer of welding skills to
the welding booth, while reducing material
waste associated with traditional welding
training. The combination of realistic
welding puddle simulation and arc welding
sound tied to the welder’s movement
provides a realistic and exciting, hands-
on training experience. Lincoln Electric
co-developed the VRTEX 360 with partner
company, VRSim Inc (East Hartford, CT),
a leader in the development of training
software and graphic simulation for
industry and academia.
“We are honored to be recognised
by Inside Business magazine for the
development of a revolutionary tool that
is helping to attract new students to an
exciting career in the field of welding,”
said Chris Bailey, general manager of
Lincoln Electric’s Automation Division, who
accepted the award for the company.
The Lincoln Electric Company,
headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio designs,
develops and manufactures arc welding
products, robotic arc welding systems,
welding fume control systems, plasma
and oxyfuel cutting equipment and has a
leading global position in the brazing and
soldering alloys market.
Lincoln Electric Company – USA
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Lincoln Electric virtual reality welding
system wins Manny award
The virtual welding machine that won the award