Understand the capabilities of robot & cobot welding automation to ensure the right choice for your business
In this article understand the wide range of automated welding capabilities available covering these robot & cobot systems:
Automating your welding operations deserves your time to build your knowledge and understanding of automated welding systems with as many visits to systems integrators & their robot welding customers as your time permits.
Suitable systems integrators will have automated welding systems available in their workshop for project development.
Does the systems integrator focus on welding & cutting, or is this just one of many general automated applications within their experience?
Visit systems integrators' websites to review the automated welding & cutting applications that they have completed.
Research the manufacturer's equipment & specifications and ask for references of existing recent & long term installations.
Clarify whether the systems integrator supports the automated welding systems directly or relies on other suppliers & welding distributors.
Dedicated Industrial Robot Welding Systems - Highest level of Automated Welding Productivity & Programming simplicity
Industrial Robot Welding Systems – Integrating the Productivity of the industrial robots with welding power sources & torches manufactured by various manufacturers.
Cobot Welding Systems – Integrates the personnel accessibility of the cobot with welding power sources & torches manufactured by various manufacturers.
For assistance to find your first automated welding system through to expert level, contact:
Orion Automation Systems at www.orionautomation.com.au
Valk Welding at www.valkwelding.com
Dedicated Industrial Robot Welding Systems
Highest level of Automated Welding Productivity & Programming simplicity
Dedicated industrial robot welding systems are manufactured by a single supplier, including:
Robot Manipulator – Typically weighing from 150kg for high speed moves between welds & long life & low maintenance use
Robot Controller
Servo Driven Wire Feed System
Robot Welding Torch with integrated compliant mount
Single & multi axes positioners to manipulate fabrications of all weights & sizes
Digital Welding Power Sources fully integrated into the robot controller
Robot Welding Software
Why this is important:
All hardware & software designed for robot welding.
Easy programming of the dedicated MIG or TIG robot welding system, with the process easy to understand at trade level by anyone who is keen to learn, whether they are a first year 16 year old starting their apprenticeship or a welding veteran wanting to expand & extend their career.
The robot controller's single CPU controls the robot motion & the welding power source interface, providing a single point of programming at the robot teach pendant to enable advanced robot welding sequences with ease.
Dedicated robot welding systems can coordinate the robot position at the same time as changing welding conditions, enabling automated welding that is not possible by other automation systems or by hand welding.
Ease of integration brings the system into production fast, with the single supplier providing seamless hardware & software.
From small fabrications to those that weigh many thousands of kilograms & are 10's of metres in length, the experienced systems integrator will supply these as standard solutions.
System longevity – Dedicated robot welding systems are integrated in their hundreds each decade into Australia & New Zealand, ensuring that support & parts are available for the 20+ year lifespan of the systems.
Safety Requirements – Safety Light Curtains & Arc Flash curtains along with fixed safety guarding provide arc flash protection to your personnel, with fume extraction torch nozzles provided as standard. Audit systems to determine safety integration requirements for automated operations.
Industrial Robot Welding Systems
Pictured: ABB Welding robots with welding power sources from a separate manufacturer
Integrating the Productivity of industrial robots with welding power sources & torches manufactured by various manufacturers.
Industrial robot welding systems include:
Robot Manipulator – Typically weighing from 150kg for high speed moves between welds & long life low maintenance use
Robot Controller
Single & multi axes positioners to manipulate fabrications of all weights & sizes
Robot Welding Software
Welding Power Source
Wire Feed System to be mounted either on or adjacent to the robot
Robot Welding Torch
Compliance mount for the torch
How is the operation different to dedicated robot welding systems:
The configuration & ease of programming is dependant upon the systems integrator to ensure that the Robot System "talks to" the Welding System with all the commands and sequences required in the production of your fabrications. Aim for systems that can be fully utilised by trade personnel who are keen to learn.
Programming the system requires the robot system to be programmed for the positions that are required, with the welding tables programmed separately into the welding power source.
From small fabrications to those that weigh many thousands of kilograms & are 10's of metres in length, the experienced systems integrator will supply these as standard solutions.
System longevity – Industrial robot welding systems are also integrated in their hundreds each decade into Australia & New Zealand, ensuring that support & parts are available for the 20+ year lifespan of the systems. To ensure that welding equipment and torches will be supported, ensure that only known brands are considered.
Safety Requirements – Safety Light Curtains & Arc Flash curtains along with fixed safety guarding provide arc flash protection to your personnel, with fume extraction torch nozzles available from various torch suppliers. Audit systems to determine safety integration requirements for automated operations.
Cobot Welding Systems
Integrates the personnel accessibility of cobots with welding power sources & torches manufactured by various manufacturers.
Cobot systems include:
Cobot Manipulator – lightweight arms typically weighing from 35kg, to ensure safety near personnel & operate at slower, safe speeds between welds
Cobot Controller
Single & multi axes positioners – as these can rotate 100+ kg the safety requirements may require these to be safety guarded, so ensure to use an experienced systems integrator
Cobot Welding Software, likely from a different source to the cobot itself
Welding Power Source
Wire Feed System to be mounted adjacent to the robot
Robot Welding Torch
Mounting bracket for the torch
How is the operation different to dedicated & industrial robot welding systems:
The configuration & ease of programming is dependent upon the systems integrator to ensure that the Cobot System "talks to" the Welding System with all the commands and sequences required in the production of your fabrications. Aim for systems that can be fully utilised by trade personnel who are keen to learn.
Programming requires the cobot system to be programmed for the positions that are required, with the welding tables programmed separately into the welding power source.
System longevity – Protect the arm in commercially available covers to ensure that weld spatter & weld arc heat and light intensity does not damage the cobot arm. With many new manufacturers of cobot arms, use a brand that can provide support & parts for the life of the system, while also ensuring that the welding equipment and torches will be supported.
Safety Requirements – Arc Flash curtains provide arc flash protection to your personnel, with fume extraction torch nozzles available from various torch suppliers. Audit systems to determine safety integration requirements for automated operations.
We are 100% focused on robot welding
Orion Automation Systems maximises your production using high performance industrial robotic welding systems, and the ongoing technical support to keep you in production for years to come.
Real Robots.
Real Experience.
Real Speed.
Real Productivity.
Want to check out Panasonic’s full robotic welding catalog?
View the PDF here
