Automated Consumable Exchangers
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A consumable exchanger for a plasma arc material processing system, the consumable exchanger comprising:
- a base portion;
a holder shaped to retain at least a portion of a consumable component of a plasma arc torch, the holder operably connected to the base portion; and
a driver connected to the holder, the driver configured to rotate the consumable component relative to at least one of the base portion or the plasma arc torch to perform one of engage the consumable component to the plasma arc torch or disengage the consumable component from the plasma arc torch.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A consumable exchanger for a plasma arc material processing system is provided. The consumable exchanger comprises a base portion and a holder shaped to retain at least a portion of a consumable component of a plasma arc torch. The holder is operably connected to the base portion. The consumable exchanger further comprises a driver connected to the holder. The driver is configured to rotate the consumable component relative to at least one of the base portion or the plasma arc torch to perform one of engage the consumable component to the plasma arc torch or disengage the consumable component from the plasma arc torch.
-
Citations
35 Claims
-
1. A consumable exchanger for a plasma arc material processing system, the consumable exchanger comprising:
-
a base portion; a holder shaped to retain at least a portion of a consumable component of a plasma arc torch, the holder operably connected to the base portion; and a driver connected to the holder, the driver configured to rotate the consumable component relative to at least one of the base portion or the plasma arc torch to perform one of engage the consumable component to the plasma arc torch or disengage the consumable component from the plasma arc torch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A computer-implemented method for automatically installing a consumable to a tip of a plasma arc torch that is operably connected to a plasma cutting system, the method comprising:
-
receiving, by a computing device, (i) data related to a desired operation and (ii) information related to a plurality of consumables, including a performance characteristic of each consumable, wherein the plurality of consumables are disposed in respective ones of a plurality of consumable exchangers; selecting, by the computing device, a suitable consumable from the plurality of consumables, the suitable consumable having a performance characteristic compatible with the desired operation; positioning, by the computing device, a torch for engagement with the suitable consumable; and actuating, by the computing device, the consumable exchanger corresponding to the suitable consumable to install the suitable consumable onto a tip of the torch. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
-
27. A material processing system comprising:
-
a plurality of consumable exchangers each comprising a holder shaped to retain and install a consumable; and a computing device in electrical communication with the plurality of consumable exchangers, the computing device comprising; an input module configured to receive (i) data related to a desired operation and (ii) information related to a plurality of possible consumables, including a performance characteristic of each possible consumable, wherein the plurality of possible consumables are disposed in respective ones of the plurality of consumable exchangers; a decision module configured to select a suitable consumable from the plurality of possible consumables, the suitable consumable having a performance characteristic compatible with the desired operation; a torch locator configured to select a torch for engagement with the suitable consumable; and an actuation module configured to instruct the consumable exchanger corresponding to the suitable consumable to install the suitable consumable onto a tip of the selected torch. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
-
-
30. A method for installing a consumable cartridge onto a tip of a plasma arc torch in a plasma cutting system, the consumable cartridge including at least an electrode and a swirl ring, the method comprising:
-
loading the consumable cartridge in a holder of a consumable exchanger, wherein the holder is configured to retain at least a portion of the consumable cartridge; aligning, by a computing device, the tip of the plasma arc torch with the consumable cartridge in the consumable exchanger to achieve an aligned position; driving, by the computing device, the plasma arc torch downward along a vertical direction toward the consumable cartridge in the aligned position; and rotating, by the consumable exchanger, the consumable cartridge relative to the plasma arc torch to thread the consumable cartridge onto the tip of the torch. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
-
Specification