System and method for detecting nozzle and electrode wear
First Claim
1. A method of detecting wear during operation of a plasma arc torch, of at least one of an electrode and a surrounding nozzle of the plasma arc torch, said method comprising the steps of:
- determining the distance between said at least one of the electrode and the surrounding nozzle, and a workpiece being cut by the plasma arc torch, during operation of the plasma arc torch;
determining the average change in said distance between said at least one of the electrode and the surrounding nozzle, and said workpiece, during operation of the plasma arc torch; and
comparing said average change in said distance between said at least one of an electrode and the surrounding nozzle, and said workpiece, to a first predetermined value.
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Abstract
A system and method for detecting nozzle and electrode wear of plasma arc torches in which the average change in the stand-off between the electrode or the nozzle assembly of the plasma arc torch and a workpiece is monitored, and corrective measures are taken once the average change in the stand-off of the electrode and nozzle assembly exceeds a predetermined value. The corrective measures may include changing the arc voltage of the plasma arc torch, modifying the speed at which the plasma arc torch travels, modifying the average current of the power supply of the plasma arc torch, or the flow rate of the plasma supply gases or cut water of the plasma arc torch. The number of corrections is monitored so that after a predetermined number of such corrections, the system and method notifies an operator or the plasma arc torch itself that the electrode or surrounding nozzle requires replacement.
63 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of detecting wear during operation of a plasma arc torch, of at least one of an electrode and a surrounding nozzle of the plasma arc torch, said method comprising the steps of:
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determining the distance between said at least one of the electrode and the surrounding nozzle, and a workpiece being cut by the plasma arc torch, during operation of the plasma arc torch; determining the average change in said distance between said at least one of the electrode and the surrounding nozzle, and said workpiece, during operation of the plasma arc torch; and comparing said average change in said distance between said at least one of an electrode and the surrounding nozzle, and said workpiece, to a first predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for detecting wear during operation of a plasma arc torch, of at least one of an electrode and a surrounding nozzle of the plasma arc torch, said system comprising:
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first determining means for determining the distance between said at least one of the electrode and the surrounding nozzle, and a workpiece being cut by the plasma arc torch, during operation of the plasma arc torch; second determining means for determining the average change in said distance between said at least one of the electrode and the surrounding nozzle, and said workpiece, during operation of the plasma arc torch; and comparing means for comparing said average change in said distance between said at least one of the electrode and the surrounding nozzle, and said workpiece, to a first predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification