Methods and apparatus for tactile communication in an arc processing system

1. An electric arc processing system, comprising:

an arc processing device having a power source to provide electrical power for an arc processing operation;

a torch coupled with the arc processing device to provide power from the power source to the arc processing operation; and

a tactile device coupled to the torch, the tactile device comprising an activating input responsive to a signal; wherein the arc processing device provides the signal to the activating input of the tactile device in response to a selected arc processing condition;

wherein said tactile device is located within a cable that is coupled between said torch and said arc processing device.

2. An electric arc processing system, comprising:

an arc processing device having a power source to provide electrical power for an arc processing operation;

a torch coupled with the arc processing device to provide power from the power source to the arc processing operation; and

a tactile device coupled to the torch, the tactile device comprising an activating input responsive to a signal; wherein the arc processing device provides the signal to the activating input of the tactile device in response to a selected arc processing condition;

wherein said tactile device is located within said arc processing device and is mechanically coupled to a cable that is coupled between said torch and said arc processing device; and

wherein the tactile device is located within said power source.

3. An electric arc processing system, comprising:

an arc processing device having a power source to provide electrical power for an arc processing operation;

a torch coupled with the arc processing device to provide power from the power source to the arc processing operation; and

a tactile device coupled to the torch, the tactile device comprising an activating input responsive to a signal; wherein the arc processing device provides the signal to the activating input of the tactile device in response to a selected arc processing condition;

wherein said tactile device is located within said arc processing device and is mechanically coupled to a cable that is coupled between said torch and said arc processing device; and

wherein said arc processing device is a welder comprising said power source and a wire feeder, and wherein said tactile device is located within the wire feeder and is mechanically coupled to a cable that is coupled between said torch and said wire feeder.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the power source provides the signal to the activating input of the tactile device in response to a welder or welding process condition.

5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the wire feeder provides the signal to the activating input of the tactile device in response to a welder or welding process condition.

6. The system of claim 3 , wherein said arc processing device is a welder.

7. The system of claim 3 , wherein said arc processing device is a plasma cutter.

8. The system of claim 3 , wherein said tactile device is a vibration motor.

9. The system of claim 3 , wherein said tactile device is a solenoid.

10. The system of claim 3 , wherein said arc processing condition is a condition associated with at least one of said arc processing device and the arc processing operation.

11. The system of claim 3 , wherein said arc processing device comprises a transmitter to transmit said signal to said tactile device.

12. The system of claim 3 , wherein said arc processing device is operable to provide an electrical signal to said activating input of said tactile device, and wherein said tactile device provides a tactile message to an operator of said torch according to said electrical signal from said arc processing device.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein said arc processing device is operable to provide a plurality of electrical signals to said tactile device, wherein said tactile device provides said tactile message as a corresponding plurality of tactile signals to the operator according to said electrical signals from said arc processing device, and wherein said electrical signals and tactile signals are formed into multiple-signal patterns according to a communication protocol.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein at least one of said multiple-signal patterns comprises a plurality of distinct signals.

15. The system of claim 3 , comprising a plurality of tactile devices mechanically coupled with said torch handle, said tactile devices individually comprising an activating input responsive to an electrical signal and being individually adapted to provide a tactile signal to an operator of said torch according to said electrical signal from said arc processing device.

16. A handheld torch apparatus for use in performing an arc processing operation, the handheld torch apparatus comprising: a torch handle; a cable coupled to said torch handle for connecting the torch apparatus to a power source of an arc processing device to receive power from the power source for powering the arc processing operation; and a tactile device mechanically coupled with said torch handle, said tactile device comprising an activating input responsive to a signal, and said tactile device being adapted to provide a tactile signal to an operator of the torch apparatus according to said signal, wherein said tactile device is located within said cable.

17. The handheld torch apparatus of claim 16 , wherein said tactile device is a vibration motor.

18. The handheld torch apparatus of claim 16 , wherein said tactile device is a solenoid.

19. The handheld torch apparatus of claim 16 , comprising a plurality of tactile devices mechanically coupled with said torch handle, said tactile devices being individually adapted to receive an electrical signal and to provide a tactile message to an operator of the torch apparatus according to said electrical signal.