Abstract: Provided in this disclosure is a detachable power connection, particularly for use with a welding system. A male conductor, retained within a first connector, is matingly received within a female conductor, retained within a second connector. An aligning insulator of the second connector encloses and internally retains the female conductor. The aligning insulator includes alignment features formed along an exterior surface of the aligning insulator. A locking body of the first connector retains the male conductor and includes an interior surface for defining an internal void for matingly receiving the exterior surface of the aligning insulator therein. The locking body includes second alignment features formed along the interior surface for matingly engaging the respective first alignment features. A locking nut is formed onto one of the first connector or second connector, for releasably securing the first and second connectors together to form the detachable power connection.

Abstract: A method of operating a welding torch using a rotating coupler assembly that operates between 0 and 800 amps. The rotating coupler assembly allows for 360 degrees of rotation while keeping rotational friction at a minimum. The breakaway torque for the rotating coupler assembly is insignificant and the rotating coupler assembly can be rotated with little effort by hand. While the rotating coupler assembly minimizes rotational friction the design allow for rotating coupler assembly to continue to operate after 1-5 mm of wear on the contact surfaces. An embodiment of the rotating coupler assembly can be quickly disconnected from the unicable.

Abstract: A replaceable or quick-change liner for use in a welding torch assembly that includes a liner guide, a section of liner, and a sealing feature for creating a pneumatic seal between the replaceable liner and the welding torch assembly.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of a laser cutting nozzle where a shroud can move along the central axis of the laser cutting nozzle in the axial direction. The shroud is designed to mate with interior walls along a nozzle cavity extending from a cavity base of the nozzle body. The exterior side walls of the shroud and interior side walls of a cavity of the nozzle body are multi-sided (e.g., in complementary polygonal shapes). Shroud rotation about the central axis of the laser cutting nozzle is limited or prevented by an interlocking arrangement between the exterior side walls of the shroud and the interior side walls of the nozzle body.

Abstract: Rotating electrical connection with locking axial and radial positions for use in welding and cutting devices including a non-conductive coupling that isolates the current path between a locking section and a conductive section of the receiving member body. The receiving member body including a release member designed to exert a compressive force on an interference member.

Abstract: A method of operating a welding torch using a rotating coupler assembly that operates between 0 and 800 amps. The rotating coupler assembly allows for 360 degrees of rotation while keeping rotational friction at a minimum. The breakaway torque for the rotating coupler assembly is insignificant and the rotating coupler assembly can be rotated with little effort by hand. While the rotating coupler assembly minimizes rotational friction the design allow for rotating coupler assembly to continue to operate after 1-5 mm of wear on the contact surfaces. An embodiment of the rotating coupler assembly can be quickly disconnected from the unicable.

Abstract: A nozzle for use with a plasma arc torch is provided. The nozzle has a nozzle body having a length that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, a central bore disposed within the nozzle body along a central axis having a feed orifice at the proximal end of the nozzle body, and a discharge orifice at the distal end of the nozzle body. The central bore has a series of internal sections that transition with one or more radial edges between the feed orifice and the discharge orifice. The series of internal sections have a first section beginning at the feed orifice transitioning to a converging section transitioning at a throat to a diverging section ending at the discharge orifice. The length of the converging section is longer than a length of the diverging section. A Venturi effect is created by the converging and diverging sections of the nozzle.

Abstract: A rotating coupler assembly for use in welding torches that operates between 0 and 800 amps. The rotating coupler assembly allows for 360 degrees of rotation while keeping rotational friction at a minimum. The breakaway torque for the rotating coupler assembly is insignificant and the rotating coupler assembly can be rotated with little effort by hand. While the rotating coupler assembly minimizes rotational friction the design allow for rotating coupler assembly to continue to operate after 1-5 mm of wear on the contact surfaces. An embodiment of the rotating coupler assembly can be quickly disconnected from the unicable.

Abstract: A nozzle for use with a plasma arc torch is provided. The nozzle has a nozzle body having a length that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, a central bore disposed within the nozzle body along a central axis having a feed orifice at the proximal end of the nozzle body, and a discharge orifice at the distal end of the nozzle body. The central bore has a series of internal sections that transition with one or more radial edges between the feed orifice and the discharge orifice. The series of internal sections have a first section beginning at the feed orifice transitioning to a converging section transitioning at a throat to a diverging section ending at the discharge orifice. The length of the converging section is longer than a length of the diverging section. A Venturi effect is created by the converging and diverging sections of the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention includes embodiments that generally relate to a parts washer and methods for making and using the same. According to some embodiments a parts washer can include a plurality of cleaning stations arranged in series and adapted to automatically wash and transfer parts to the next cleaning station. Furthermore, in some embodiments the parts washer is adapted to minimize contact between a plurality of parts being washed. Some embodiments can include a rotatable cleaning station divided into substations and can include an aperture for transferring a part from the cleaning station to an adjacent cleaning station.

Abstract: An electrode for supporting an arc in a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes a metallic holder having a front end and a rear end. An emissive insert cavity is formed in the front end. An emissive insert is mounted in the cavity and is a metallic material having a relatively low work function. The front end is a casting made of a metal which is selected from silver, gold, platinum, rhodium, indium, palladium, nickel and alloys thereof. The rear end is a metal selected from copper and copper alloys. A cylindrical post extends inwardly from the front end of the metallic holder. The cylindrical post has an inner-rear tip portion which is a metal selected from copper and copper alloys.

Abstract: An electrode for supporting an arc in a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes a metallic holder having a cavity formed in a front end portion. An insert assembly is mounted in the cavity. The insert assembly includes an emissive insert composed of a metallic material having a relatively low work function. The emissive insert has a bore formed therein for securing a non-emissive core. The core has a base portion, which provides an interface between the emissive insert and the holder. The core and base portion act to thermally conduct heat out of the emissive insert so that the service life of the emissive insert is increased by the lowering of the emissive insert's operating temperature.

Abstract: A welding gun contact tip which seats within a retaining member and in two different seating locations relative to the contact member. The contact tip includes an interwoven-double-start thread having two thread cuts which start 180 degrees from one another as measured around the circumference of the contact tip. Additionally, the retaining member includes an interwoven-double-start thread having two thread cuts which start 180 degrees from one another as measured around the circumference of the contact tip. Because of the configuration of the interwoven-double-start threads, the two seating locations of the contact tip are 180 degrees apart thereby enabling the contact tip to be used twice as long as a conventional contact tip which includes a single cut thread. Further, the contact tip and retaining member include mating frustum surfaces which are configured and dimensioned so that the contact tip seats within the retaining member with less than one turn of the contact tip relative to the retaining member.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly, for laser cutting heads, which includes a connection which easily, inexpensively, and removably connects a conductive insert to an insulating receptacle. A conductive nozzle can then be threaded into the conductive insert. The insulating receptacle includes holes through an annular cross section thereof. One hole receives a conductor pin having a head at one end and threads at the other. The other holes each have a larger diameter portion and a smaller diameter portion that receive a screw head, and a screw shaft, respectively. The screws and the threaded end of the conductor pin are then screw threaded into holes, which have complementary threads, in the conductive insert to connect the conductive insert to the insulating body. Such a connection thus allows damaged or worn parts to be easily replaced which thereby reduces cost of the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: An electrode for supporting an arc in a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes a metallic holder having a front end, and a cavity in the front end, the cavity having an enlarged outer end portion. An insert assembly is mounted in the cavity and includes an emissive insert composed of a metallic material having a relatively low work function, a sleeve which substantially surrounds the emissive insert so as to separate the emissive insert from contact with the holder at least at the front end. The sleeve is composed of a metal which is selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, platinum, rhodium, iridium, palladium, nickel, and alloys thereof. The insert assembly further includes an aluminum face plate disposed in the enlarged outer end portion of the cavity and which is exposed at the front end of the metallic holder so as to surround a front portion of the sleeve. Alternatively, the aluminum face plate is eliminated and the front end of the metallic holder directly contacts the emissive insert.

Abstract: A method of repairing a spent electrode for a plasma arc torch. The method includes removing an end piece of the spent electrode thereby leaving an electrode base. A blind bore is drilled into the end face of the electrode base. Internal female threads are then formed in the blind bore. A bevelled angle is machined at the entrance of the blind bore. Finally, a replacement end piece having a matching bevelled angle and threaded male portion is mated with the bevelled angle and internal threads, respectively, of the blind bore in the electrode base, thereby forming a rebuilt electrode.

Abstract: An electrode for supporting an arc in a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes a metallic holder having a front end, and a cavity in the front end, the cavity having an enlarged outer end portion. An insert assembly is mounted in the cavity and includes an emissive insert composed of a metallic material having a relatively low work function, a sleeve which substantially surrounds the emissive insert so as to separate the emissive insert from contact with the holder at least at the front end. The sleeve is composed of a metal which is selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, platinum, rhodium, iridium, palladium, nickel, and alloys thereof. The insert assembly further includes an aluminum face plate disposed in the enlarged outer end portion of the cavity and which is exposed at the front end of the metallic holder so as to surround a front portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: An electrode assembly having a tubular body portion is positioned in the head of a plasma arc torch and supports an electrode element spaced from a nozzle by an arc chamber. A gas is ionized in the arc chamber when an electric arc is initiated between the electrode element and the nozzle. The electrode element is retained in a post extending up from the bottom wall of the electrode body portion. The post has an extended exterior surface to increase the surface area in contact with coolant that circulates downwardly through the electrode body portion into surrounding relation with the post. The extended surface area of the post promotes heat transfer from the electrode element to the coolant and extends the operational life of the electrode element.