Patent ID: 8338754

Claim:
A robotic welding torch configured to operate with consumables of substantially different amperage ratings, the robotic welding torch comprising: a torch body; a tube having an elongated body extending from a supply end to a discharge end, where the tube is operably connected substantially at the supply end to the torch body; where the robotic welding torch is configured to operate in at least two configurations including: a first configuration having a first set of consumables rated to operate at a first amperage and configured to be operably connected to the tube substantially at the discharge end, where the first set of consumables comprises: a first diffuser having a first diffuser geometry, and a first contact tip having a first contact tip geometry, where the first contact tip has a first opening configured to guide electrode wire through, and a second configuration having a second set of consumables rated to operate at a second amperage substantially larger than the first amperage and configured to be operably connected to the tube substantially at the discharge end, where the second set of consumables comprises: a second diffuser having a second diffuser geometry different from the first diffuser geometry, and a second contact tip having a second contact tip geometry different from the first contact tip geometry, where the second contact tip has a second opening configured to guide the electrode wire through; and where the robotic welding torch has a tool center point corresponding to an end of the electrode wire, and where the tool center point of the first configuration is substantially the same as the tool center point of the second configuration.