AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION OF COMPONENTS FOR WELDING AND CUTTING TORCHES

Automatically identifying interchangeable torch components, such as consumables, for welding and cutting torches includes adding one or more passive markings to a surface of an interchangeable torch component. Then, automatic identification can be effectuated by a torch assembly (20) including a torch body (100) and one or more imaging devices (160) or a system including the torch assembly (20) and a power supply (40). The torch body (100) has an operative end (102) configured to removably receive one or more interchangeable torch components (200) including one or more passive markings (210). The one or more imaging devices (160) are positioned to optically acquire an image of or image data representative of the one or more passive markings (210) included on the one or more interchangeable torch components (200) so that the one or more interchangeable torch components can be automatically identified based on the one or more passive markings. Consequently, various components can be reliably and consistently identified.