Patent ID: 11890693
Assignee: HYPERTHERM, INC.
Field: Chemical engineering (Chemistry)
Classification: CPC B  H | IPC B  H

Claim 19:
20. A computer-implemented plasma arc processing system for automatically determining at least one characteristic of a workpiece for processing the workpiece in accordance with the method of claim 1, the system comprising:
a work clamp configured to secure to the workpiece in preparation for processing by the plasma arc torch; and
a power supply in electrical communication with the plasma arc torch and the work clamp, the power supply configured to supply the low-amperage electrical current to the workpiece, the low amperage electrical current insufficient to cut the workpiece;
wherein the processor is in electrical communication with the plasma arc torch, the work clamp and the power supply, the processor configured to monitor the path of the electrical current relative to the workpiece and determine the at least one characteristic of the workpiece based on the electrical current path monitored.