The swirl ring, which has four channels, surrounds the welding electrode forcing the gas that flows along the electrode to flow along the channels. Holes at the downstream end of the channels are angled which causes the gas to flow out in a swirl, or vortex. The vortex action focuses the arc into a narrower and denser column. The modified torch can be used in keyhole and non-keyhole welding modes. The welding torch improvement, originating in the aerospace community, offers promise of increased usage in the manufacturing environment.
Prime candidates are in automotive, ship and aircraft manufacturing, and appliances.
The new system provides an improved plasma arc welding torch through the design of an arc shaping device to maintain symmetry of the arc thereby reducing the potential for unsightly weld beads. The system can be assembled in and disassembled from the torch body in a rapid and easy manner. The Technology Generally, plasma arc welding is performed by directing an inert gas across the tip of an electrode in the torch body and onto the subjects being welded. The gas and hot electrode interact to form an arc between the tip of the electrode and the subjects being joined. Typically, the inert gas passes straight through the torch body's exit orifice.