The present invention features a computer-implemented method of planning a processing path relative to a three-dimensional workpiece for a plasma arc cutting system coupled to a robotic arm. The method includes receiving input data from a user comprising (i) Computer-Aided Design (CAD) data for specifying a desired part to be processed from the three-dimensional workpiece, and (ii) one or more desired parameters for operating the plasma arc cutting system. A plurality of features of the desired part to be formed on the three-dimensional workpiece are identified based on the CAD data. The method also includes dynamically filtering a library of cut charts based on the plurality of features and the desired operating parameters to determine a recommended cut chart for processing the plurality of features. The method further includes generating the processing path based on the recommended cut chart and the plurality of features to be formed.

An apparatus is provided for cutting pieces from laminar material wound in coil using a laser or plasma cutting machine. In one apparatus according to the invention, a cutting station includes at least one moveable cutting head arranged between the station's entrance and exit, and a means to position a portion of laminar material on a cutting plane. The positioning means includes three separate locking devices, each of which can lock on a portion of the laminar material as it passes through the cutting station. The three locking devices are arranged in succession: the first near the cutting station's entrance, the second near the exit, and the third between the first and second locking devices. At least the third locking device is movable, in the space between the other two devices, along a portion of laminar material while the material is kept under tension.

A method for producing a built-up object by melting and solidifying a filler metal to form weld beads on a base surface along a track for a torch and form the built-up object formed by the weld beads is provided. The built-up object includes a bead formation portion where a gravitational influence is maximum. The method includes: forming a supporting bead having a higher viscosity during weld-bead formation than other weld beads in the bead formation portion; and forming the other weld beads overlying the supporting bead.

A frame for a replaceable, unitary consumables cartridge configured for installation into a plasma arc torch. The frame includes a hollow body adapted to receive a translatable contact start electrode. The body has an internal surface and an external surface and includes: a substantially cylindrical metallic core; an electrically insulative overmolded plastic casing at least substantially surrounding a circumference of a distal end of the substantially cylindrical metallic core; and a set of flow passages fluidly connecting the external surface of the hollow body and the internal surface of the hollow body, the flow passages offset to impart a swirling fluid flow pattern to a plasma gases passing therethrough.

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.

Some embodiments herein are directed to devices and methods for automatically starting a plasma utilizing a wand. In some embodiments, the wand may be used to start a plasma in a plasma torch such as, for example, a microwave plasma torch or an induction plasma torch, as discussed below. The wand may comprise an elongate, hollow wand member comprising a closed distal end, a proximal end, and one or more apertures extending from a hollow interior of the wand member to an exterior surface of the wand member; and an elongate wire member positioned within the hollow interior of the wand member and extending along at least a portion of a length of the wand member, wherein the wire member is configured to be placed in operable communication through the aperture with a power source, such that the power source can be activated to in turn start the plasma within the plasma torch. The plasma torches discussed herein may be used in various applications including, for example, high volume synthesis of advanced materials such as nano-materials, micro-powders, coatings, alloy compositions for additive manufacturing.

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.

The present invention is an electrical device that can seal an array of glass ampules and micro ampules using plasma arc produced by electricity. The device can produce high temperature by making mini plasma arcs which will melt down the glass and make a permanent seal. The arc is produced in a sealing head which covers the plasma arc and can focus the heat in a very small area so that the heat can be directly transferred to the glass without any intermediate, thereby increasing the efficiency. The plasma arc can increase the heat by using multiplication of the arcs encased in the sealing head.

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.

An execution plan segment of an execution plan can be received at a control unit of a computer numerically controlled machine from a general purpose computer. The execution plan segment can define operations for causing movement of a moveable head of the computer numerically controlled machine to deliver electromagnetic energy to effect a change in a material within an interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine. The execution plan segment can include a predefined safe pausing point from which the execution plan can be restarted while minimizing a difference in appearance of a finished work-product relative to if a pause and restart are not necessary. Operations of the computer numerically controlled machine can be commenced only after determining that the execution plan segment has been received up to and including the predefined safe pausing point by the computer numerically controlled machine.