Patent ID: 8624147

Claim:
A method of welding a bearing having two opposed ends, said method comprising: providing an apparatus including at least one welding torch and a processor; coupling the at least one welding torch to an arm that is selectably moveable to enable the at least one welding torch to move at least two of vertically, horizontally, and pivotably relative to the bearing; positioning a holding fixture proximate the apparatus, wherein the holding fixture includes a pair of plates, wherein at least one of the plates is horizontally movable; securing the bearing in position in the holding fixture such that an inner surface of the bearing is exposed towards the at least one welding torch, by pressing the bearing at the two opposed ends with the pair of plates such that the bearing is retained in position between the pair of plates; orienting, using the arm, the at least one welding torch to be substantially perpendicular to the exposed inner surface; applying a bead of weld to the inner surface of the bearing to facilitate repairing a damaged surface of the exposed inner surface of the bearing; incrementally rotating at least one of the pair of plates during at least one of application of the bead of weld and a period of time after application of the bead of weld; and maintaining the torch substantially perpendicular to the exposed inner surface during the welding process.