A plasma processing apparatus, for releasing plasma-converted gas from plasma head for performing process, detects the pressures of a gas prior to application of a voltage to electrodes of the plasma head, the gas being supplied from gas supply section to a plasma head, and allow initiation of process by the plasma processing apparatus based on the detected pressures.

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.

A contact start liquid-cooled plasma arc cutting torch is provided that includes a translatable liquid-cooled electrode, a nozzle, and a multi-piece cathode. The electrode comprises an electrode body defining a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis of the electrode body. The electrode body includes a coolant cavity configured to receive at least a portion of a coolant tube of the torch for directing a liquid coolant flow distally through the coolant tube within the coolant cavity. The cathode is disposed about the proximal end of the electrode body and includes a first body shaped to matingly engage the electrode and a second body shaped to matingly engage the torch. The first body slidingly engages the second body such that the first body and the electrode are axially translatable relative to the second body along the longitudinal axis.

A liquid cooled electrode for a contact start plasma arc cutting torch is provided. The electrode includes an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis. The elongated body includes a proximal end shaped to matingly engage a torch body of the plasma arc cutting torch and a distal end located substantially opposite of the proximal end along the longitudinal axis. The electrode also includes one or more contact surfaces disposed on an external surface of the distal end of the electrode body between the proximal and distal ends. The one or more contact surfaces are shaped to physically contact a nozzle disposed within the plasma arc cutting torch during a portion of a pilot arc initiation process. The physical contact is configured to support transmission of a pilot arc current between the electrode and the nozzle with a density of at least about 3000 amps per square inch.

The present invention relates to a device for plasma cutting, comprising a cutting torch (100) provided with an electrode (120), which is coaxially surrounded by a nozzle (110), thereby defining a passage (112) for passing of a plasma gas between electrode and nozzle, wherein the nozzle is coaxially surrounded by a shielding cap (122), thereby defining a passage (114) for passing of a shielding flow between nozzle and shielding cap, the device further comprising an annular member (200) coaxially surrounding the cutting torch (100) configured and adapted to provide a further curtain flow coaxially surrounding the shielding flow through passage (250a and 250b) wherein annular member (200) is configured and adapted for use of CO.sub.2-snow or a mixture containing CO.sub.2-snow as shielding flow.

Nozzle for a plasma torch head, laser cutting head or plasma laser cutting head, arrangement composed of such a nozzle and of a nozzle protection cap, arrangement composed of such a nozzle and of an electrode, plasma torch head, laser cutting head or plasma laser cutting head having such a nozzle and/or having such an arrangement, plasma torch comprising such a plasma torch head, laser cutting head comprising such a nozzle and/or such an arrangement, plasma laser cutting head comprising such a nozzle and/or such an arrangement, method for plasma cutting, method for laser cutting and method for plasma laser cutting using the same.

A robotic treatment system includes a robotic arm comprising a tool mount, and a plurality of tools, each of the plurality of tools removably connectable to the tool mount. The system further includes a distribution assembly, which includes a distribution source, a distribution feed cable, a distribution return cable, and a plurality of distribution valves. Each of the plurality of distribution valves regulates a distribution flow through the distribution feed cable to one of the plurality of tools or the distribution return cable from one of the plurality of tools. The system further includes a supply assembly, which includes a supply controller, a plurality of substrate feeders, and a plurality of supply feed cables. The system further includes a main controller, the main controller in operable communication with the robotic arm, the supply controller, and each of the plurality of distribution valves.

Nozzle for a plasma torch head, laser cutting head or plasma laser cutting head, arrangement composed of such a nozzle and of a nozzle protection cap, arrangement composed of such a nozzle and of an electrode, plasma torch head, laser cutting head or plasma laser cutting head having such a nozzle and/or having such an arrangement, plasma torch comprising such a plasma torch head, laser cutting head comprising such a nozzle and/or such an arrangement, plasma laser cutting head comprising such a nozzle and/or such an arrangement, method for plasma cutting, method for laser cutting and method for plasma laser cutting using the same.

A plasma torch has a multi-electrode front electrode and a button-type rear electrode. The plasma torch allows initial discharge to be easily performed by using the button-type rear electrode and an auxiliary electrode for discharge. Initial ignition of a high-output arc plasma torch is performed easily by naturally forming an arc column between the rear electrode and the front electrode, even in the absence of efficient discharge between the rear electrode and the auxiliary electrode for initial discharge.

A plasma cutting method providing a plasma torch having an electrode disposed within a first nozzle with a first exit section facing an end of the electrode. The first gas source supplies a gas to the first nozzle. A second nozzle is arranged concentrically around the first nozzle and has a second exit section substantially facing the first exit section. A second gas source supplies the gas between the first nozzle and the second nozzle. The electrode is supplied with a current, and the first and second nozzles are supplied with the gas to form a plasma with the gas introduced into the first nozzle. The surrounding pressure around the plasma jet in the second nozzle at the exit of the first nozzle is controlled to be at least superior to the atmospheric pressure and inferior to the pressure in the first exit section.