Cost effective cartridge for a plasma arc torch

A swirl ring for an air-cooled plasma arc torch, the swirl ring comprising:

• an elongated body comprising a substantially hollow portion, the elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end and configured to receive an electrode within the hollow portion;
• a plurality of gas flow openings each extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface of the elongated body, the gas flow openings disposed about the distal end of the elongated body and configured to impart a swirl to a plasma gas flow of the plasma arc torch, wherein the plurality of gas flow openings include gas flow slots defined by a plurality of extensions located at spaced intervals around a circumference of the distal end of the elongated body of the swirl ring, each gas flow slot situated between a pair of the extensions and extends from the interior surface to the exterior surface of the elongated body to impart the swirl to the plasma gas flowing between the interior and exterior surfaces;
• and
• a nozzle retention surface on the body for retaining a nozzle at the distal end of the elongated body.