A welding or cutting tool for welding or cutting electrically conductive workpieces includes a nozzle arranged on a tool tip for discharging a welding or cutting beam and a nozzle cap which at least partly surrounds the nozzle, is open towards the tool tip, and has an electrode that forms a capacitance with the respective workpiece and an insulating element that electrically insulates the electrode from the other components of the tool. The electrode consists of a first electrically conductive ceramic material and is formed integrally with the insulating element, which consists of a second electrically insulating ceramic material.

A welding or cutting tool for welding or cutting electrically conductive workpieces includes a nozzle arranged on a tool tip for discharging a welding or cutting beam and a nozzle cap which at least partly surrounds the nozzle, is open towards the tool tip, and has an electrode that forms a capacitance with the respective workpiece and an insulating element that electrically insulates the electrode from the other components of the tool. The electrode consists of a first electrically conductive ceramic material and is formed integrally with the insulating element, which consists of a second electrically insulating ceramic material.

Provided is a torch including a body having a first portion and a second portion angled relative to the first portion, a control knob at a top of the second portion for adjusting a flow of fuel through the torch, a trigger at a top of the first portion that is movable from an off position to an on position to at actuate an igniter, and a burn tube extending from an end of the second portion away from the first and second portions.

An automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system including an oxy-fuel torch, an automated machine tool operatively coupled to the torch for moving the torch relative to a work piece, and a circuit including a voltage source or a current electrically connected to the torch and configured to be electrically connected to the work piece. The automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system may further include a processor that is operatively connected to the torch, the automated machine tool, the circuit, and the voltage source or current source, wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the torch, the automated machine tool and the voltage source or current source, and to monitor a current or voltage in the circuit in a predefined manner.

An automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system including an oxy-fuel torch, an automated machine tool operatively coupled to the torch for moving the torch relative to a work piece, and a circuit including a voltage source or a current electrically connected to the torch and configured to be electrically connected to the work piece. The automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system may further include a processor that is operatively connected to the torch, the automated machine tool, the circuit, and the voltage source or current source, wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the torch, the automated machine tool and the voltage source or current source, and to monitor a current or voltage in the circuit in a predefined manner.

An ambient oxygen concentrating torch has an oxygen concentrating unit disposed in operational communication with a second compressor whereby oxygen is sourced from the ambient atmosphere by Pressure Swing Adsorption and producible for pressurization and storage interior to a pressure tank. Controlled release of the stored oxygen is thereby enabled for combination with a hydrocarbon to effect combustion and production of a high-temperature flame as used in welding and cutting. Because oxygen is sourced from the ambient environment, and is continuously producible therefrom, need of separate oxygen canisters is entirely obviated.

An ambient oxygen concentrating torch has an oxygen concentrating unit disposed in operational communication with a second compressor whereby oxygen is sourced from the ambient atmosphere by Pressure Swing Adsorption and producible for pressurization and storage interior to a pressure tank. Controlled release of the stored oxygen is thereby enabled for combination with a hydrocarbon to effect combustion and production of a high-temperature flame as used in welding and cutting. Because oxygen is sourced from the ambient environment, and is continuously producible therefrom, need of separate oxygen canisters is entirely obviated.

A welding tool has a handle with a base end and an exit end. A bottom plate is affixed to the base end and preferably encloses the base end of the handle. A washer is affixed to the exit end of the handle. The washer defines an orifice and provides a surface for preventing a user's hand from slipping during use of the welding tool. A plurality of rods extends outwardly from the handle through the orifice. The rods are preferably affixed to the bottom plate at a base end and have a surface contacting end. The rods are sized to permit limited flexure, but to still be substantially rigid to effectively remove slag from a weld.

An automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system including an oxy-fuel torch, an automated machine tool operatively coupled to the torch for moving the torch relative to a work piece, and a circuit including a voltage source or a current electrically connected to the torch and configured to be electrically connected to the work piece. The automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system may further include a processor that is operatively connected to the torch, the automated machine tool, the circuit, and the voltage source or current source, wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the torch, the automated machine tool and the voltage source or current source, and to monitor a current or voltage in the circuit in a predefined manner.

An automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system including an oxy-fuel torch, an automated machine tool operatively coupled to the torch for moving the torch relative to a work piece, and a circuit including a voltage source or a current electrically connected to the torch and configured to be electrically connected to the work piece. The automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system may further include a processor that is operatively connected to the torch, the automated machine tool, the circuit, and the voltage source or current source, wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the torch, the automated machine tool and the voltage source or current source, and to monitor a current or voltage in the circuit in a predefined manner.