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

Claim 0:
1. A computerized method for automatically determining at least one characteristic of a workpiece for processing by a plasma arc processing system, the method comprising:
electrically connecting the workpiece to the plasma arc processing system that includes a plasma arc torch, wherein a distal tip of the plasma arc torch is configurable to be positioned proximate to the workpiece;
supplying, by the plasma arc processing system, an electrical current with a low amperage to the workpiece, the low electrical amperage current insufficient to cut the workpiece;
monitoring, by a processor of the plasma arc processing system, a path of the electrical current relative to the workpiece; and
determining, by the processor of the plasma arc processing system, the at least one characteristic of the workpiece based on the electrical current path monitored.