SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MATCHING ARC WELDING CONSUMABLES
A consumable assembly for a welding torch, a welding torch that includes said consumable assembly, and a method of using the welding torch is provided. The consumable assembly generally comprises a nozzle body having an exterior surface and an internal bore; and a contact tip having an exterior surface that is removably disposed within the internal bore of the nozzle body. The exterior surface of the nozzle body and the exterior surface of the contact tip include matching indicia for pairing the nozzle body with the contact tip.
1 . A consumable assembly for a welding torch comprising;
a nozzle body having an exterior surface and an internal bore; and
a contact tip removably disposed within the internal bore of the nozzle body, the contact tip having an exterior surface;
wherein the exterior surface of the nozzle body and the exterior surface of the contact tip include matching indicia for pairing the nozzle body with the contact tip.
2 . The consumable assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the matching indicia is independently selected for use on the nozzle body and the contact tip as one from the group of a series of knurling or raised bands, intermittent circumferential markings, grooves, or marks that provide visual indication to the surface.
3 . The consumable assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the matching indicia is a plurality of grooves on each of the exterior surfaces of the nozzle body and the contact tip.
4 . The consumable assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the matching indicia on the exterior surface of the nozzle body is a series of knurl bands that are matched with a series of grooves on the external surface of the contact tip.
5 . The consumable assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of grooves is equal to one, two, three, or four grooves.
6 . The consumable assembly according to claim 1 , where the matching indicia represent a duty cycle rating.
7 . The consumable assembly according to claim 6 , wherein the duty cycle rating is for a light duty cycle, a medium duty cycle, or a heavy duty cycle.
8 . The consumable assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the light duty cycle is represented by one series of matching indicia, the medium duty cycle is represented by two series of matching indicia, and the heavy duty cycle is represented by three series of matching indicia.
9 . The consumable assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of grooves is equal to four and indicates a nozzle body and contact tip that include an extended taper.
10 . The consumable assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the grooves are defined as any raised or recessed surface texture or pattern.
11 . An arc welding apparatus, the arc welding apparatus comprising:
a handle;
a conductor tube attached to the handle; and
a consumable assembly attached to the conductor tube; the consumable assembly comprising:
a nozzle body having an exterior surface and an internal bore; and
a contact tip removably disposed within the internal bore of the nozzle body, the contact tip having an exterior surface;
wherein the exterior surface of the nozzle body and the exterior surface of the contact tip include matching indicia for pairing the nozzle body with the contact tip.
12 . The welding apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the matching indicia is independently selected for use on the nozzle body and the contact tip as one from the group of a series of knurling or raised bands, intermittent circumferential markings, grooves, or marks that provide visual indication to the surface.
13 . The welding apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the matching indicia is a plurality of grooves on each of the exterior surfaces of the nozzle body and the contact tip.
14 . The welding apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the matching indicia on the exterior surface of the nozzle body is a series of knurl bands that are matched with a series of grooves on the external surface of the contact tip.
15 . The welding apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the plurality of grooves is equal to one, two, three, or four grooves.
16 . The welding apparatus according to claim 11 , where the matching indicia represent a duty cycle rating.
17 . The welding apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the duty cycle rating is for a light duty cycle, a medium duty cycle, or a heavy duty cycle.
18 . The welding apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the light duty cycle is represented by one series of matching indicia, the medium duty cycle is represented by two series of matching indicia, and the heavy duty cycle is represented by three series of matching indicia.
19 . The welding apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the plurality of grooves is equal to four and indicates a nozzle body and contact tip that include an extended taper.
20 . The welding apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the grooves are defined as any raised or recessed surface texture or pattern.
21 . A method of pairing a nozzle body with a contact tip for use in an arc welding apparatus; the method comprising:
providing an arc welding apparatus comprising
a handle;
a conductor tube attached to the handle; and
a consumable assembly attached to the conductor tube; the consumable assembly comprising:
a nozzle body having an exterior surface and an internal bore; and
a contact tip removably disposed within the internal bore of the nozzle body, the contact tip having an exterior surface;
wherein the exterior surface of the nozzle body and the exterior surface of the contact tip include matching indicia; and
pairing the nozzle body with the contact tip based on the matching indicia.
22 . The method according to claim 21 , wherein the pairing of the matching indicia represents the selection of a duty cycle rating.