A method and an apparatus efficiently and reliably cut a steel frame. The cutting method includes locating a cutting torch apart from the steel frame held by a holding device in a direction along a cutting surface, moving the cutting torch from a cutting start position to a first cutting end position in a first feed direction perpendicular to a supply direction along the cutting surface, while applying a flame from a fire port of the cutting torch in the supply direction and supplying cutting oxygen to thereby cut a part of the cutting surface, stopping the cutting torch at the first cutting end position and thereafter cutting an uncut part by moving the cutting torch from the first cutting end position in a second feed direction opposite to the first feed direction.

A method and an apparatus efficiently and reliably cut a steel frame. The cutting method includes locating a cutting torch apart from the steel frame held by a holding device in a direction along a cutting surface, moving the cutting torch from a cutting start position to a first cutting end position in a first feed direction perpendicular to a supply direction along the cutting surface, while applying a flame from a fire port of the cutting torch in the supply direction and supplying cutting oxygen to thereby cut a part of the cutting surface, stopping the cutting torch at the first cutting end position and thereafter cutting an uncut part by moving the cutting torch from the first cutting end position in a second feed direction opposite to the first feed direction.

Methods for forming pierce holes in a metal workpiece are disclosed. According to one implementation, upon a plasma torch be energized, the cutting axis of the torch is rotated repeatedly between first and second angular positions to produce successively deeper pierces in a workpiece until a pierce hole is produced through a thickness of the workpiece. According to other implementations pierce holes are produced by rotating the cutting axis of the plasma torch tip around a designated central axis of the pierce hole in a diametrically reducing manner so that the produced pierce hole has a tapered profile with a cross-sectional area of the pierce hole at a top surface of the workpiece being greater than a cross-sectional area of the pierced hole at a bottom surface of the workpiece.

Cutting torch guide structures, systems, and kits include a base structure having a bottom surface and a channel formed in the base structure, a mechanically switched permanent magnet coupled to the base structure and configured to mechanically switch between two magnetic states, and a cutting torch guide structure configured to be releasably received in the channel and magnetically coupled to the base structure by magnetic attraction between a at least one permanent magnet fixed in at least one recess in the channel and a guide structure permanent magnet fixed to the cutting torch guide structure, where the cutting torch guide structure is configured with a first portion that is removable received in the channel of the base structure and a second portion that overhangs the base structure and includes an edge that defines a predefined shape and is configured to be in slidable contact with a cutting torch tip.

A scrap cutting apparatus including an enclosure comprising two open sides, two closed sides, an open bottom, and a closed top, wherein at least one opening is provided in at least one of closed sides, at least one torch extending through the at least one opening, and a rail system comprising two parallel rails, wherein the enclosure is adapted to move along the rail system. Also, a method of cutting metal scrap including positioning a plurality of pieces of scrap material between the rails of the scrap cutting apparatus described above, moving the enclosure over a first piece of scrap material, making at least one cut in the first piece of scrap material using the at least one torch, moving the enclosure along the rail system and over a second piece of scrap material, and making at least one cut in the second piece of scrap material using the torch.

A system and a method for separating a tubular component is disclosed, which for constructing a supporting structure, having a longitudinal pipe with pipe ends which are open on both sides. The system has a mobile transport module comprising a receiving platform having a pipe clamping device for clamping variable pipe diameters which receives and mounts the tubular component so that a first pipe end of the component, having a vertical longitudinal axis which detachably and securely engages the pipe clamping device. The invention further relates to a separating arrangement mounted on a supporting structure that it is deflectable at least vertically, to provide secure joining to the pipe end of a tubular component that faces away from the first pipe end. The tubular component is seated on the transport module and vertically securely engages the pipe clamping device.

A system and a method for separating a tubular component is disclosed, which for constructing a supporting structure, having a longitudinal pipe with pipe ends which are open on both sides. The system has a mobile transport module comprising a receiving platform having a pipe clamping device for clamping variable pipe diameters which receives and mounts the tubular component so that a first pipe end of the component, having a vertical longitudinal axis which detachably and securely engages the pipe clamping device. The invention further relates to a separating arrangement mounted on a supporting structure that it is deflectable at least vertically, to provide secure joining to the pipe end of a tubular component that faces away from the first pipe end. The tubular component is seated on the transport module and vertically securely engages the pipe clamping device.

In some aspects, material processing head can include a body; an antenna disposed within the body; a first tag, associated with a first consumable component, disposed within a flux communication zone of the body at a first distance from the antenna, the first tag having a first resonant frequency; and a second tag, associated with a second consumable component, disposed within the flux communication zone of the body at a second distance from the antenna, the second tag having a second resonant frequency that is different than the first resonant frequency, where the first and second resonant frequencies are tuned based upon at least one of: i) a difference between the first distance and the second distance; or ii) a characteristic (e.g., shape) of the flux communication zone in which the first tag and/or the second tag is disposed.

In some aspects, material processing head can include a body; an antenna disposed within the body; a first tag, associated with a first consumable component, disposed within a flux communication zone of the body at a first distance from the antenna, the first tag having a first resonant frequency; and a second tag, associated with a second consumable component, disposed within the flux communication zone of the body at a second distance from the antenna, the second tag having a second resonant frequency that is different than the first resonant frequency, where the first and second resonant frequencies are tuned based upon at least one of: i) a difference between the first distance and the second distance; or ii) a characteristic (e.g., shape) of the flux communication zone in which the first tag and/or the second tag is disposed.

In some aspects, material processing head can include a body; an antenna disposed within the body; a first tag, associated with a first consumable component, disposed within a flux communication zone of the body at a first distance from the antenna, the first tag having a first resonant frequency; and a second tag, associated with a second consumable component, disposed within the flux communication zone of the body at a second distance from the antenna, the second tag having a second resonant frequency that is different than the first resonant frequency, where the first and second resonant frequencies are tuned based upon at least one of: i) a difference between the first distance and the second distance; or ii) a characteristic (e.g., shape) of the flux communication zone in which the first tag and/or the second tag is disposed.