Centralized control architecture for a plasma arc system

Abstract

Apparatus, systems, and methods for monitoring the processing of a workpiece that includes directing an incident laser beam onto the workpiece and using an optical detector for measuring a signal emitted from the workpiece as a result of the incident laser beam. The detector generates at least two signals based upon the optical signal. The method also involves use of a light source monitor in determining workpiece processing quality based upon the quotient of the two outputs as well as a magnitude of one of the two quotients.

1 - 47 . (canceled)  
   
   
       48 . A method for supplying gas to a plasma arc torch, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of gases to a plasma arc torch;    producing a gas mixture comprising the plurality of gases;    adjusting a flow of at least one of the plurality of gases with at least a first flow control valve based on a measured pressure of the gas mixture; and    adjusting the at least first flow control valve to produce the gas mixture.    
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 48 , comprising measuring the pressure of the gas mixture with a pressure transducer located between the at least first flow control valve and the plasma arc torch.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the plurality of gases comprises at least a first cut gas and a second cut gas, the method comprising mixing the first cut gas and the second cut gas in a manifold and measuring the pressure of the gas mixture with a pressure transducer.  
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 50 , comprising adjusting a flow of the first cut gas through the first flow control valve and the second cut gas through a second flow control valve, based on the measured pressure of the gas mixture.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 50 , comprising adjusting the flow of the gas mixture by adjusting a flow of the first cut gas through the first flow control valve and a flow of the second cut gas through a second flow control valve, based on the measured pressure of the gas mixture.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 48 , comprising: 
 providing a shield gas to the plasma arc torch; and    adjusting a flow of the shield gas with a shield gas flow control valve based on a measured pressure of the shield gas.    
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 48 , comprising: 
 providing a pre-flow gas to the plasma arc torch; and    providing a post-flow gas to the plasma arc torch.    
   
   
       55 . A system for supplying gas to a plasma arc torch, comprising: 
 a first flow control valve to control a flow of one of a plurality of gases provided to a plasma arc torch; and    a first pressure transducer to measure a pressure of a mixture of the plurality of gases,    wherein the first flow control valve adjusts the flow of the one of the plurality of gases based on the measured pressure of the gas mixture.    
   
   
       56 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the plurality of gases comprises a first cut gas and a second cut gas, the first cut gas flowing through the first control valve, and the second cut gas flowing through a second flow control valve to control a flow of the second cut gas.  
   
   
       57 . The system of  claim 55 , comprising: 
 a shield gas flow control valve to control a flow of a shield gas; and    a second pressure transducer to measure a pressure of the shield gas,    wherein the shield gas flow control valve adjusts the flow of the shield gas based on the measured pressure of the shield gas.