Forge welding, a process where heated metals were pounded repeatedly until they bond together, was the earliest form of welding that dated back to the Iron Age in Europe. The contemporary welding industry is inspired and equipped with technology that has made welding operations stunningly accurate, fast, and cost-effective. Being a top application of industrial robots, welding has expanded its scope in building sophisticated products for a number of industries. The blog post will explain how modern automation technology is reshaping the welding processes.
Capabilities of welding robots allow assemblers to join parts with great accuracy, pace, and repeatability without wasting resources. It is the emerging technology that has made automated welding devices less expensive and easy to deploy.
Automotive was probably the first industry that deployed robots to make their welding operations more efficient. At that time, it was hard for small companies to use such a sophisticated and expensive technology. However, with the passage of time, robotic welding is now within the reach of small scale manufacturers. Following are some of the examples of how technology has improved the efficiency of welding operations:
Laser welding
Laser welding is one of the modern industrial technologies that convert light energy into heat energy. Laser beam welding is used to join material pieces together through a laser beam. In laser beam welding, radiation emits allowing the beam to travel longer distance without affecting quality. Companies may find it expensive to install laser welding systems in their facilities. However, the reduction in cycle time makes laser welding a cost-effective solution.
Robotic arc welding
Robotic arc welding has improved significantly over the past few years. It requires parts to be positioned in a very rigid and precise position in a fixture particularly designed for that application. Fixtureless welding involves a six-axis robot designed to handle and hold material while welding device performs its part.
Sub-arc welding
Submerged arc welding is relatively old but highly effective tool that deals with heavy duty welding processes. High deposition rate, elimination of time-consuming realignments, and increase in overall productivity are some of the major features of sub-arc welding.
Taking into account the development of new tools and devices, it has become more important than ever to adapt quickly and follow the industry trends. Replacing the outdated production machines with the highly innovative solutions can be a challenging task for medium size and job shop businesses.
Apart from costs related issues, manufacturers have to deal with certain technical aspects. For instance, in-depth knowledge is required to program and operate a robotic welding cell. Small scale manufacturers find it impractical to automate welding for low-volume production runs. However, new technology has made it practical for small and medium size businesses to materialize and understand automated welding and its benefits.
BP Automation is a leading automation solution provider in Canada. We design and manufacture a comprehensive range of modern welding systems tailored to client’s needs. Make a good use of technology so that you can meet the market expectations and stay ahead of the competition.