Robotic Welding, Explained
Robotic welding services refer to the use of an automated, programmable system that welds and handles a given product. Invented in 1962, robotic welding has quickly become a staple in the manufacturing process. It was originally implemented in a General Motors factory for spot welding on an assembly line. Later — in the 1980s — robotic welding started to gain popularity, spreading to other industries and areas of production.
Now, robotic welding is more important than ever. According to the American Welding Society, there’s a shortage of welding professionals, and it’s only getting worse. With widespread industry growth and attrition of current welding professionals, there aren’t enough people to fill these positions. Robotic welding has the power to support manual welders, and reduce the pain points this shortage is causing.
But, is robotic welding the best choice for manufacturers? Does it incur more disadvantages than advantages? Here, we’ll break down the benefits of robotic welding and help you determine if these services can add value to your operation.
Benefits of Robotic Welding
Faster Turnaround Times
Robotic welding is typically faster than conventional manual welding processes. It also has a higher throughput because the robot doesn’t need to take breaks. As such, your turnaround times will be much faster. Additionally, the cost per part will be dramatically reduced because of the quick turnaround.
Improved Quality
Overall, robotic welding services improve weld quality, consistency, and repeatability. Automated processes and controllers can ensure a better weld integrity, as there’s no room for human error, fatigue, or distraction.
Reduced Need for Secondary Operations
In most cases, robotic welding can reduce or eliminate the need for hand finishing and grinding. This can save your operation a lot of money over time.
Less Waste
The robots are programmed for precision, which eliminates mistakes that would require rework and additional materials to correct the weld. This can help your organization save money in the long run, and also negate some of your environmental impact.
Diminished Health Risks
Traditional welding exposes human operators to hazardous environments and toxic fumes. However, automating this process removes humans from these dangerous circumstances.
Is Robotic Welding Right for You?
While there are a lot of advantages associated with robotic welding, it’s not without its disadvantages. Typically, robotic welding services will be less flexible than manual welding. Humans can easily react to unforeseen circumstances, while robots don’t have this ability. If there were to be a change in the welding process, the operator would have to stop the robot and reprogram it, which takes valuable time and money.
Additionally, robotic welding services are best reserved for large jobs. It typically takes too much time to set up small jobs for a robotic welder; in these cases, it’s more advantageous to use manual welding services.
Work with CR Metal Products for Your Robotic Welding Needs
CR Metal Products is a leading metal fabrication and metal finishing company, serving hundreds of partners across the U.S. Our robotic welding systems maximize production speed and efficiency; we’re ready to take on even the most challenging projects. Specializing in steel, aluminum, and stainless steel, our welders are certified under the ASME, AWS Codes, and Caterpillar 1E0099S specifications. We also offer manual welding services for smaller projects. No matter which option you choose, our highly trained professionals will be sure to provide you with quality products, every time.
Since 1946, we’ve been focused on providing the best service and high-quality products for our customers. Our facilities maintain ISO 9001:2000 certifications, holding us to the highest standards in manufacturing excellence. We’ve helped hundreds of partners with their manufacturing needs, and we’re ready to do the same for you.
Let’s Get Started
Ready to explore robotic welding services with CR Metal Products? Reach out to us here.