Robotic Arc Welding

Robot welding is the process of welding performed by a robot where heat is applied to a metal at a joint causing the metal to melt and intermix.

14:37 20 October 2020

The development of this technology is indeed impressive and is today one of the major application areas for small industrial robot.

 

Roles of Sensors in Robotic welding

 

The ultimate use of sensors in robotic welding is to detect and measure process features and parameters like joint tracking, weld recognition and joint recognition.

 

• Joint Tracking: The small industrial robot uses vision, mechanically based sensors to track the line of a weld joint.
  
  
• Weld Joint Recognition: The joint’s pre-existing features must be identified before changing the process parameters to ensure that the joint is filled to the desired shape.
  
  
• Joint Recognition: Small industrial robot involves the use of mechanical sensors that are vision based to find the weld joint, its start and end positions.
  
  

Types of Robotic Arc welding

Robotic welding is one of the most common robotic applications being driven by the automotive industry. The following are the different types of robotic arc welding:

 

• Spot Welding: This is a type of resistance welding that joins thin metals that resist electrical currents. It is usually used in the automotive industry to join sheet metal frames.
  
  
• Arc Welding: An electric arc between an electrode and metal base produces intense heat to melt and intermix two metals. This type of small industrial robot is used for applications that need high accuracy.
  
  
• TIG Welding: This type of small industrial robot is also known as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding and it is used when precision is of the highest importance.
  
  
• Plasma Welding: The welding process involves ionized gas passing through a copper nozzle to produce extremely high temperatures and it is used when flexibility is required.
  
  
• Laser Welding: Laser welding is often used in high volume applications that require high accuracy like the Medical industry, Jewelry or the automotive industry.
  
  
• MIG Welding: The Robotic welding involves feeding a wire continuously toward the heated weld trip using a high deposition rate process.
  
  
• Resistance Welding: Resistance welding is the most economical form of small industrial robot in welding and it is best for heat treating projects.
  
  

Advantages of Robotic Arc welding

 

Technological advances in welding and the availability of sensor based control features have enabled manual welding processes to be replaced with robotic welding. The use of small industrial robot has become common and the following are the advantages of robotic welding:

 

• Higher yields and throughput: The use of small industrial robot have the advantage over the traditional forms of welding in that automation is able to offer quality welds with minimal human error while eliminating repetitive jobs.
  
  
• Reduction in total time: Robotic welding allows parts to move through the system move faster with repeatable part placement which allows increased productivity.
  
  
• Robotic welding allows you to use an available labor pool for a minimal price: Small industrial robot does not require you to find, train or retain welders each time. It therefore allows you to optimize your staff by having one welder supervising the work of several automated units.
  
  
• Lower the cost of consumable materials: With robotic welding there is reduced overall cost of the product since the filler material and weld wire are used more economical.
  
  
• Less post-weld cleanup: Small industrial robot can be very detailed hence allowing less weld spattering and neater seams.
  
  
• Safety: Robotic welding has improved the safety of welders by reducing the accidents that occur in the metal industry such as exposure to toxic fumes, electric shock or even a welder’s flash burns to the eyes cornea.
  
  

Summary

 

Robotic Arc welding is a crucial component in today’s manufacturing industries with the primary benefit being the production of high quality welds in a shorter time. Strong industrial needs continue to motivate the development of arc welding technologies in order to expand their capabilities.