What is Cobot Welding?
Cobot welding is the use of collaborative robots (cobots) to automate certain welding processes. Cobots are a type of robotic arm that are used to assist human welders in various welding tasks. They typically consist of a welding table, cart, or magnetic mount rigged with a robotic arm, welding tools, power source, cooling system, and a way to program the robot. Cobot welding has been employed in a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and electronics.How do my welders work with a cobot?
Cobots do not replace the need for human welders. Experienced welders are still needed to “train” (program) the cobot and then ensure the quality of the final welds. However, instead of spending hours manually repeating the same simple weld over and over, they spend a much shorter period of time setting up the cobot and then just need to check in from time to time while they concentrate on more complicated welding tasks. It generally takes less than a day for qualified welders to learn how to program the cobot – especially if you invest in one like the SmoothTool Cobot Welding package which also includes a programming flange that allows operators to manually move the robotic arm during programming to set points and teach it what to do (no programming required).Why should I invest in a welding cobot?
The welder shortage is real and will not resolve in the near future. Investing in a welding cobot can help to bridge the gap. It can help to increase productivity and efficiency, resulting in greater earnings. Cobots are also much cheaper than traditional industrial robots, require no enclosures, and have less requirements for manufacturing space.Advantages of Cobot Welding
Cobot welding has many advantages compared to traditional manual welding, including:- Quality: As human workers tire and start to lose concentration, the quality of their welding decreases. Welding cobots consistently deliver the same quality work no matter how long they are run. The quality is determined by their programmed parameters.
- Productivity: Human workers naturally slow down the longer they work. Welding cobots continue to produce the same quantity of output given a specific programmed task, regardless of how long it takes.
- Efficiency: Rather than having your skilled workers perform repetitive welds, free up their time for more specialized welding requirements by allocating the repetitive tasks to the welding cobot.
- Safety: Toxic fumes, eye injuries and burns are just some of the safety issues confronting human welders. Eliminate all of these concerns by placing a welding cobot on the front line with its operator working from a safe distance.
Conclusion
Cobot welding offers many advantages over traditional manual welding, including improved quality, productivity, efficiency, and safety. Investing in a welding cobot can help to bridge the gap in the welder shortage and increase productivity and efficiency, resulting in greater earnings. With so many benefits, cobots are ideal for companies that are looking to improve their welding operations.References
- What is Cobot Welding?
- Cobot Welding 101
- How to Choose a Welding Cobot
- What are the Benefits of Cobot Welding?
Additional References: https://www.nexair.com/vectis-cobot/
