Embodiments of welding and cutting systems are disclosed. A welding or cutting system includes a power source to provide electrical power for a welding or cutting process. The system includes a torch having a cryptographic device, and is to be used with the power source during the process and communicate with the power source. The cryptographic device is configured to receive an encryption key seeded by the power source during first time power-on initialization of the welding power source or after the torch is replaced. The cryptographic device is configured to store an unlock code associated with the power source, generate an encrypted message, which includes the unlock code, based on the encryption key, and communicate the encrypted message to the power source. The power source is configured to cease further operation unless the power source determines the torch to be a genuine manufacturer torch based on the unlock code.

Apparatus and methods associated with operating a plasma torch are disclosed. According to some implementations, the apparatus and methods involve the delivery of a process gas to a shuttle valve at first and second pressures for the purpose of altering an axial position of a valve element located inside the shuttle valve. The shuttle valve is configured such that at different axial positions of the valve element the flow of process gas into the plasma torch is altered.

A plasma cutting system includes a power supply that outputs first and second plasma cutting currents. A torch is connected to the power supply and includes a first cathode that receives the first plasma cutting current, a first electrode and swirl ring, a second cathode that receives the second plasma cutting current, and a second electrode and swirl ring. The torch simultaneously generates a first and second plasma arcs from the electrodes. A gas controller is configured to separately control a flow of a first plasma gas to the first swirl ring and a flow of a second plasma gas flow to the second swirl ring. A torch actuator moves the torch during cutting, and includes a motor having a hollow shaft rotor for rotating the torch during cutting. A motion controller is operatively connected to the torch actuator to control movements of the torch during cutting.

An apparatus may include a power supply to generate an output current. The apparatus may further include a plasma torch to apply the output current across a gap and a user interface to receive a selection for enabling a pierce current mode. The apparatus may further include a controller to temporarily increase an output current setting at the plasma torch from a first level to a second level, responsive to the selection of pierce current mode.

A method for thermal processing of a workpiece uses a thermal processing machine. The method includes the following steps carried out in an automated manner: setting up the processing machine by producing contact between the processing tool and the workpiece and recording the spatial position of a workpiece surface, positioning the processing tool at a predetermined first and second distance from the workpiece surface and recording the associated signal values of the distance sensor as first and second measured values, and calibrating the distance controller which includes determining a height derivative of the distance sensor signal and an amplification factor for the signal of the distance sensor taking in account the first measured value, the second measured value, the first distance and the second distance; positioning the processing tool at a predetermined working distance from the workpiece surface with the inclusion of the amplification factor; and thermally processing the workpiece.

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.

A device and a method for fabricating a ceramic reinforced composite coating based on plasma remelting and injection. The device includes a plasma cladding assembly, a powder feeding assembly, a metal-based substrate, and a thermal infrared imager. The plasma cladding assembly comprises a plasma gun and a plasma generator. A plasma arc generated is used to heat the substrate and form a molten pool on the substrate. The powder feeding assembly comprises a powder feeder configured to feed ceramic particles to the molten pool through a powder feeding copper tube. The thermal infrared imager is configured to acquire an infrared image of the molten pool and acquire an optimal injection position of the ceramic particles according to the infrared image. The optimal injection position is a midpoint between a trailing edge of the plasma arc emitted on the substrate and a trailing edge of the molten pool.

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.

The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) objects, 3D printing processes, as well as methods, apparatuses and systems for the production of a 3D object. Methods, apparatuses and systems of the present disclosure may reduce or eliminate the need for auxiliary supports. The present disclosure provides three dimensional (3D) objects printed utilizing the printing processes, methods, apparatuses and systems described herein.

An automated welding system includes a support structure, a plurality of welding heads, and a controller. The plurality of welding heads are each removably, mechanically coupleable to the support structure. The controller is configured to control welding operations of the automated welding system based on an identity of a particular welding head of the plurality of welding heads that is mechanically coupled to the support structure and operably coupled to the controller.