??Get ready for welding automation?

Get ready for welding automation

Robotic manufacturing technology is more capable than ever. To see how it impacts the welding industry, let's start by taking a closer look at some of the important trends and key considerations for anyone thinking about investing in welding automation.

Why is welding automation important??

It's getting harder to find welders?

As production requirements change rapidly in today's world, manufacturers are having trouble finding the right talent at the right time, and traditional blue-collar tasks are becoming less appealing to younger workers. It is difficult to find welders now, and it could be even more difficult in the future as workforce demographics change. ?

Flexible manufacturing is the new normal?

Global economic trends shift quickly these days. As a result, production needs have become more and more unique – if a manufacturer can't adapt and offer effective offline programming for small welding batch sizes, it is likely that they will lose business to their competitors. Customers want flexible manufacturing capabilities. ?

Smaller margins ?

Competition is fierce. As margins continue to shrink, investing in welding automation technology sets you up for long-term success by lowering production costs while also giving you an effective way to increase production capacity quickly.?

How will welding automation change manufacturing?

Welders must adapt to new roles?

Demand for robot welding operators will grow, and using offline programming to optimize welding processes will become a critical core skill. In general, welders must shift from manually applying specialized welding skills to embracing a hybrid role that requires system-level knowledge. The ability to move between roles will be key – the person planning the integration might also be the one doing the offline programming. ?

Expert welding knowledge is still required. In fact, the best candidates for these new welding automation roles are often experienced welders who have a deep understanding of the conditions and parameters that influence weld quality. ?

How do you train welders for this new way of working? It is important to note that companies that make robotic manufacturing equipment typically offer in-depth training and support for getting up to speed with automated welding processes. The aim is to make workers comfortable moving between roles while emphasizing system-level knowledge to achieve synergy between software and hardware. ?

Technology is everywhere?

Virtual tools will make transitioning to automated welding much easier – virtual reality is already being used to program welding robots, and it's possible to go "inside" a robot welding cell with off-the-shelf VR glasses. VR allows you to "move" things around and check positions to grasp and optimize an automated welding system fully. ?

This is a huge shift away from a coordinates-based approach. Offline programming has been around for a while now, but VR raises the bar dramatically by allowing you to test configurations without actually setting up equipment. This approach taps into the skills of more visually oriented people while offering the technology that attracts a younger demographic group to welding. In fact, trade schools are actively embracing virtual reality to match the interests and expectations of younger people. ?

Cobot welding is a great place to start?

Welding automation is often associated with large robotic systems, but recently, we have noticed that demo session requests for cobot welding solutions are on the rise. Cobot solutions augment the abilities of a welder by working alongside him or her to automate important tasks. It is easy to use, and the programming is straightforward. ?

The ROI for cobot solutions is shorter and it's a good way to introduce robotic welding solutions into the workplace. Younger workers are interested in collaborative robots, and cobot solutions can also be used alongside fully robotic systems.?


Juha Mainio


Juha Mainio, Area Sales Manager, ABB Oy, Robotics.

More than 18 years experience from working with industrial robots in manufacturing industry. During these years, has gained knowledge of offline programming, collaborative robots and robotic welding.


Take a look at Kemppi's Robotic welding solutions and Cobot welding solutions .

Understanding the advancements in robotic manufacturing is crucial, especially in specialized fields like welding where precision and efficiency are paramount. ?? Your insight into the trends and considerations for welding automation highlights the importance of staying ahead in the industry. Generative AI can further enhance this by optimizing design processes, predicting maintenance needs, and even training operators through simulations, all while saving time. I'd love to discuss how generative AI could revolutionize your welding projects and streamline your operations. ?? Let's book a call to explore the potential of AI in your work: https://chat.whatsapp.com/L1Zdtn1kTzbLWJvCnWqGXn Christine

Toqeer Ahmad

Senior Presentation Specialist | Executive-Level Visual Storytelling | AI-Powered Presentation Design | PowerPoint Expert for C-Suite & Global Clients

10 个月

Impressive insights! Your post on Arc Welding truly stands out with valuable information. Think about how our visions align perfectly. In my pitch deck, 'Robotics - Rise of Robot,' I delve deeper into the future possibilities and innovations in this field. I'd love to get your thoughts on it. Check it out here: https://www.behance.net/gallery/174641919/Robotic-The-Rise-of-Robots Feel free to drop me a message with your insights or any questions. Let's spark a conversation and explore the limitless potential of robotics together! #robotics #innovation #artificialintelligenceforbusiness #aiart #aiartcommunity #technolgy

要查看或添加评论,请登录

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了