Welding Robots

The high cost, minimal flexibility and programming complexities of robotic welding cells have historically prevented smaller job shops and manufacturers from considering automated welding as a viable part of the production process. However, with a shrinking skilled workforce, more companies are assigning their welding experts to oversee multiple robotic welding cells. According to the American Welding Society, 40% of manufacturing companies have been forced to decline new contracts due to the lack of available welding talent. Implementing a welding cell which requires less hands-on technical expertise opens these opportunities for expanding business.

While skilled employees are difficult to recruit and train, robotic welding cells have distinct advantages. Some collaborative robots, such as Universal Robots, offer a built-in programming option that allows the user to move the robot arm exactly where it should be positioned during different points of the welding process. This program may be checked prior to execution and it only has to be perfected once to achieve repeatable, high-quality welds.

Once the welding robot’s precision is fine-tuned, the process becomes even more economical with a reduction in waste and clean-up and an increase in yields and throughput. Without human error and a dependence on skilled workers, a reduction in time to market can also be achieved with a welding robot.

According to the National Institute of Standards of Technology, a full 90% of manufacturing companies cited a lack of flexibility as the primary reason for avoiding robotic systems. A collaborative robot is the best choice for a welding cell because it offers flexibility not available with traditional welding robot cells. This is especially important in a small shop where ROI needs to be maximized with any major equipment investment.

The Universal Robots collaborative robot can weld a job one day and be deployed to gluing, polishing and CNC tasks the next. The Universal Robots arms come equipped with on-board computers with the ability to save any previously recorded movements, which makes changing tasks as easy as selecting a different program and switching out end-effectors.

See an in-person demo of how collaborative robots can expand your business. Schedule a demo or stop by our event November 30 from 5-7PM to check them out.