| Robotic welding has come of age in the past few | | | | pound payload. While these robotic welding machines |
| years. In advances in computer technology and | | | | are available new, many used and reconditioned |
| robotics, simple, repetitive tasks in manufacturing are | | | | models are also available and popular. |
| often performed by robotic welding devices, with a | | | | Where robotic welding machines, and industrial robots |
| resulting savings in labor and an improvement in safety, | | | | in general came from is of interest. The first industrial |
| since there is less human interaction and less chance | | | | robot, used for simple tasks, was invented in 1962. In |
| for human error. | | | | 1969 a Stanford University professor developed the |
| Trade shows and conventions for the fabrication | | | | Stanford arm, an articulated robot that widened the |
| industry and welding trades often feature robotic | | | | potential of robots, making robotic welding possible and |
| welding devices these days. Demonstrations at the | | | | feasible. By the 1970's industrial robots were firmly |
| trade shows give examples of robotic welding | | | | rooted in most industries and robotic welding's strong |
| machines doing graceful and complex maneuvers, | | | | points had become obvious to industry. Soon large |
| demonstrating speed and flexibility possible with robots | | | | companies like General Electric and General Motors |
| today that were not possible a generation ago. | | | | were manufacturing robots, and several companies n |
| Industrial robots are used in welding, painting, ironing, | | | | the U.S. stated specifically to manufacture them and |
| assembly, palletizing, pick and place, inspection, and | | | | market them to industry, including Automatix and |
| testing of products. Robots have proven themselves | | | | Adept Technology, Inc, while Westinghouse Electric |
| to be valuable resources in manufacturing applications | | | | Corporation acquired Animation, the grandmaster of |
| in all of these areas. | | | | industrial robotics. Many Japanese companies also |
| Any welding task is suitable for automation if the task | | | | entered the arena. |
| is repetitive. From a practical, financial standpoint | | | | Today's popularity of industrial robots, and in particular |
| however the number of pieces that need to be | | | | of robotic welding devices is due to the fact that these |
| welded must be of sufficient quantity to allow a | | | | machines save man hours, allowing skilled human |
| continuous flow, to justify the initial expense of setting | | | | technicians, including welders, to concentrate on more |
| up robotic welding machinery. In such instances an | | | | complicated tasks worthy of their skills and training. |
| automatic welding gun can be placed in a static | | | | Simple and repetitive tasks that would be a waste of |
| position or if needed on a curved track to achieve a | | | | a skilled welder's time are generally handled by robotic |
| circular weld. In this type of situation, a work piece can | | | | welding machines with cost savings in the millions |
| be rotated past the welding gun. | | | | every year, benefiting the companies and stockholders. |
| The major manufacturers in three basic sizes offer | | | | Overall, Robotic welding is one of the most advanced |
| robotic welding arms. These include a tabletop size | | | | computer technologies and robotic welding devices |
| with a six-pound payload, a medium sized model with | | | | save in labor and an improvement in safety, by |
| a 13.2 pound payload and larger machines with a 22.2 | | | | reducing human error and human tragedy. |