Abstract: Recognizing interchangeable torch components, such as consumables, for welding and cutting torches includes determining that one or more interchangeable torch components installed in an operative end of a torch are genuine. Operational parameters for the one or more interchangeable torch components can also be determined. When the one or more interchangeable torch components are determined to be genuine, an indicator assembly can be activated to provide a first indication. When the operational parameters are implemented at a power supply connected to the torch, the indicator assembly can be activated to provide a second indication.

Abstract: Recognizing interchangeable torch components, such as consumables, for welding and cutting torches includes determining that one or more interchangeable torch components installed in an operative end of a torch are genuine. Operational parameters for the one or more interchangeable torch components can also be determined. When the one or more interchangeable torch components are determined to be genuine, an indicator assembly can be activated to provide a first indication. When the operational parameters are implemented at a power supply connected to the torch, the indicator assembly can be activated to provide a second indication.

Abstract: Recognizing interchangeable torch components, such as consumables, for welding and cutting torches includes determining that one or more interchangeable torch components installed in an operative end of a torch are genuine. Operational parameters for the one or more interchangeable torch components can also be determined. When the one or more interchangeable torch components are determined to be genuine, an indicator assembly can be activated to provide a first indication. When the operational parameters are implemented at a power supply connected to the torch, the indicator assembly can be activated to provide a second indication.

Abstract: Approaches herein provide a system for determining whether one or more consumable parts of a plasma device has been removed or replaced while the plasma device and associated sensors lie dormant or are no longer receiving data, e.g., when the plasma device is power-off. The approaches herein determine whether certain types of data stored in a controller's memory are still valid, for example, for the purposes of determining degradation and/or end-of-life of the consumable parts. In the case that one or more consumable parts has been serviced or replaced, the data stored in the controller memory may no longer be considered valid for the consumable part(s). In one approach, the controller determines a status of a switch or a conformal film in the device following start-up, and determines, based on the position of the switch or the conformal film, whether the consumable part has been removed or replaced.

Abstract: A method for piercing and cutting a workpiece that includes the use of a plasma torch having an electrode and a nozzle spaced from and surrounding a distal end portion of the electrode to form a process gas flow channel. According to one implementation the method includes delivering a plasma gas at a first pressure through the process gas flow channel of the torch while ionizing the plasma gas to produce a plasma arc that extends between the electrode and the workpiece. While the plasma gas is delivered at the first pressure, performing a piercing operation by producing a pierce hole in the workpiece using the plasma arc. Subsequent to the piercing operation, performing a cutting operation by delivering through the process gas flow channel the plasma gas at a second pressure lower than the first pressure, and with the plasma gas being delivered at the second pressure, forming a cut in the workpiece that originates at and extends away from a boundary of the pierce hole.

Abstract: Automatically recognizing interchangeable torch components, such as consumables, for welding and cutting torches includes adding one or more passive markings to a surface of an interchangeable torch component. Then, the interchangeable component can be recognized by a torch assembly including a torch body and one or more imaging devices or by a system including the torch assembly and a power supply. The torch body has an operative end configured to removably receive the interchangeable torch component. The one or more imaging devices are positioned to optically acquire an image of or image data representative of the one or more passive markings included on the interchangeable torch components so that a processor can determine if the one or more interchangeable components are genuine.

Abstract: Recognizing interchangeable torch components, such as consumables, for welding and cutting torches includes determining that one or more interchangeable torch components installed in an operative end of a torch are genuine. Operational parameters for the one or more interchangeable torch components can also be determined. When the one or more interchangeable torch components are determined to be genuine, an indicator assembly can be activated to provide a first indication. When the operational parameters are implemented at a power supply connected to the torch, the indicator assembly can be activated to provide a second indication.

Abstract: Automatically recognizing interchangeable torch components, such as consumables, for welding and cutting torches includes adding one or more passive markings to a surface of an interchangeable torch component. Then, the interchangeable component can be recognized by a torch assembly including a torch body and one or more imaging devices or by a system including the torch assembly and a power supply. The torch body has an operative end configured to removably receive the interchangeable torch component. The one or more imaging devices are positioned to optically acquire an image of or image data representative of the one or more passive markings included on the interchangeable torch components so that a processor can determine if the one or more interchangeable components are genuine.

Abstract: Approaches herein provide a system for determining whether a consumable part of a plasma device has been removed or replaced while the plasma device and associated sensors lie dormant or are no longer receiving data, e.g., when the plasma device is power-off. The approaches herein determine whether certain types of data stored in a controller's memory are still valid, for example, for the purposes of determining degradation and/or end-of-life of the consumable parts. In the case that one or more consumable parts has been serviced or replaced, the data stored in the controller memory may no longer be considered valid for the consumable set. In one approach, the controller determines a status of an indicator in the device following start-up, and determines, based on the status of the indicator, whether the consumable part has been removed or replaced.

Abstract: Approaches herein provide a system for determining whether one or more consumable parts of a plasma device has been removed or replaced while the plasma device and associated sensors lie dormant or are no longer receiving data, e.g., when the plasma device is power-off. The approaches herein determine whether certain types of data stored in a controller's memory are still valid, for example, for the purposes of determining degradation and/or end-of-life of the consumable parts. In the case that one or more consumable parts has been serviced or replaced, the data stored in the controller memory may no longer be considered valid for the consumable part(s). In one approach, the controller determines a status of a switch or a conformal film in the device following start-up, and determines, based on the position of the switch or the conformal film, whether the consumable part has been removed or replaced.

Abstract: A wire feeder with an integrated adaptor cartridge is provided. The adaptor cartridge comprises a cartridge body interchangeably mounted to the wire feeder for mechanical, welding current, and control signal connections. The adaptor cartridge further comprises an adaptor fitting for establishing the mechanical and welding current connections, and a control signal connector for establishing the control signal connection. The adaptor cartridge is preferably recessed within a housing of the wire feeder to protect the adaptor cartridge. A set of such adaptor cartridges is also provided for providing mechanical, welding current, and control signal connections for a respective one of the welding apparatuses to the wire feeder. Therefore, a single wire feeder can work with a set of welding apparatuses by selecting a suitable adaptor cartridge from the set of adaptor cartridges.

Abstract: A wire feeder with an integrated adaptor cartridge is provided. The adaptor cartridge comprises a cartridge body interchangeably mounted to the wire feeder for mechanical, welding current, and control signal connections. The adaptor cartridge further comprises an adaptor fitting for establishing the mechanical and welding current connections, and a control signal connector for establishing the control signal connection. The adaptor cartridge is preferably recessed within a housing of the wire feeder to protect the adaptor cartridge. A set of such adaptor cartridges is also provided for providing mechanical, welding current, and control signal connections for a respective one of the welding apparatuses to the wire feeder. Therefore, a single wire feeder can work with a set of welding apparatuses by selecting a suitable adaptor cartridge from the set of adaptor cartridges.