A visuo-haptic extended reality–based training system for hands-on manual metal arc welding training

Welding training has been an important job training process in the industry and usually demands a large amount of resources. In real practice, the strong magnetic force and intense heat during the welding processes often frighten novice welders. In order to provide safe and effective welding training, this study developed a visuo-haptic extended reality (VHXR)–based hands-on welding training system for training novice welders to perform a real welding task. Novice welders could use the VHXR-based system to perform a hands-on manual arc welding task, without exposure to high temperature and intense ultraviolet radiation. Real-time and realistic force and visual feedback are provided to help trainees to maintain a constant arc length, travel speed, and electrode angle. Compared to the traditional video training, users trained using the VHXR-based welding training system significantly demonstrated better performance in real welding tasks. Trainees were able to produce better-quality joints by performing smoother welding with less mistakes, inquiry times, and hints.