The Benefits of Robotic Welding: Why You Should Consider It
Robotic welding technology is becoming more prevalent in the manufacturing sector, with more extensive industrial facilities and small project-based workshops employing them. While an automated welding system may require a significant up-front investment, it will almost certainly improve bottom-line business performance from the very first day of operation.
In this blog post, we will discuss the advantages of robotic welding and how this technology can benefit your business.
What is Robotic Welding?
Welding in and of itself is where two materials are fused through heating, intermixing, and then cooling the materials or a filler to form a strong join. Welding robots are frequently employed during welding procedures that demand a repetitive, high-quality weld and fast production of the finished part. Robotic welding is an automated process that increases efficiency, consistency, and ROI. Generally, Robotic welding is a process that uses robotic arms to weld metal together. It is faster, more accurate, and more consistent than traditional welding methods. Automated spot welding and arc welding are ideal methods for high-volume manufacturing, such as in the automotive industry.
What are the Benefits of Robotic Welding?
Typically, robotic welding systems automate high-volume, repetitive welding tasks. Robotic welders can be programmed to perform the same weld repeatedly with consistent results. This increases productivity and efficiency while reducing scrap rates and rework.
Here are some of the benefits of using robotic welding:
- Increased accuracy – With robotic welding, there is less human error involved. The robots can weld metal with great precision, producing a higher quality product.
- Increased speed – Robotic welding is much faster than traditional welding methods. This means that you can produce more products in less time!
- Increased consistency – Since the robots are doing the welding; the end product will be identical every time. Robots reduce inconsistency issues that can occur with traditional welding methods.
- Lower Cost – The initial investment in a robotic welding system may be higher than the cost of traditional welding methods, but over time, robotic welding will save your business money. Robotic welding is more accurate and has less waste material. In addition, automated welding systems operate based on commands from a program to weld metal parts with different thicknesses, so you won’t need to purchase separate machines for each metal type.
- Reduced Waste – Overwelding your business’s material is a nuisance at best and a complete waste at worst. Robotic welding systems can be programmed to stop the welding process at precisely the right time, so there is no wasted material. In addition, since robotic welding is more accurate, there is less waste material and more cost savings for your business.
- Less Weld Cleanup – With robotic welding, there is less weld spatter and metal fumes and less material waste. Less cleanup involved translates to time and money savings.
- Improved Safety – Robotic welding systems protect workers from harmful metal fumes and high heat. Automatic welding systems protect your employees from potential injuries and reduces the chance of work-related illnesses. In addition, repetitive tasks can lead to boredom and fatigue, but with robotic welding, employees are free to do other jobs while the robots do the welding.
- More Efficient Path to Market – When you use robotic welding, your business can get products to market faster. This is because the robots can work around the clock if necessary and don’t need breaks; simple maintenance can keep these machines going. This means you can get your products to market faster and earn revenue sooner.
What Are the Various Types of Robotic Welding Equipment?
Robotic welding technology comprises many technological advancements that have overtaken the metalworking industry. An automated welding system combines robotics, welding instruments, programming knowledge, sensor technology, control systems, and artificial intelligence. Depending on the system requirements and the job at hand, companies can also use machine learning further to enhance the capabilities of a robotic welding system.
Here are some of the various types of robotic welding equipment:
- Laser Welding Systems – Laser welding is a type of welding that uses a laser to heat the metal. Welding with lasers is an exact form of welding best for thin metal sheets.
- Spot Welding Systems – Spot welding is a type of welding that combines two pieces of metal by applying pressure and heat. Spot welding is also known as resistance welding. This speedy way of welding metal is often used in the automotive industry.
- MIG Welding Systems – MIG welding is a type of welding that uses an electrode fed through a welding gun. The electrode is made of metal, and the welding gun releases a shielding gas to protect the weld from contamination.
- TIG Welding Systems – In the 1940s, tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding was used to weld magnesium and aluminum. The method was a highly appealing alternative to gas and manual metal arc welding, using an inert gas shield instead of a slag. TIG has aided the acceptance of aluminum for high-quality welding and structural usage by promoting its use in construction.
Robotics systems include robotic arms and portals, depending on the application. Typically, six-axis industrial robots with a three-axis lower arm and a three-axis wrist work best since they enable the welding torch to be mounted on the wrists. A mounted welding torch allows the robot to weld in any plane. Portal-type welding robots are large gantry systems with the advantage of a large working envelope. This type of system is used when there is a need to weld large metal sheets or when multiple robots are required to work on the project.
Metal Fabrication in Tulsa
Robotic welding methods offer many benefits over manual weldings, such as increased productivity, repeatability, accuracy, and safety. If you are thinking about utilizing the help of a robotic welding system for your business, look no further than Precision Steel Fabrication. They are experts in the metal fabrication industry, and their robotic welding capabilities are top-notch. As an industry leader in metal fabrication, Precision Steel Fabrication offers services like Sheet Metal fabrication, Precision fabricators, Robotic Welding, and Laser Cutting. With over 16 years of experience and 20,000 products manufactured annually, they are a company you can trust.
Precision Steel Fabrication, a metal fabrication business in Tulsa, Oklahoma, provides the highest-quality metal manufacturing with expert staff, cutting-edge equipment, and innovative employees. The company’s unmatched dedication and high standard for quality products set them apart from all its competitors. So, if you need metal fabrication in Tulsa, call Precision Steel Fabrication today.