The advantages and disadvantages of robotic and automated welding.

There are some big advantages to utilizing automated welding in your business, including, more consistent welds, increased output, decreased scrap and decreased variable labor costs. In other words, you can decrease your cost while improving QA and process control, so why not?

While there are definite advantages, there are disadvantages to consider as well, such as a higher initial investment, and decreased flexibility. If you think about it, manual welding offers all of the flexibility in the world, as a welder can easily manipulate one part differently from the next and move to different specialized equipment with ease. With an automated welding system, you give some of this flexibility up in exchange for a more accurate, precise and repeatable process.

Another element to consider is downtime. You might be able to run more pieces through in a given timeframe than a manual welder could handle, but if the machine breaks down, how much will it cost you while it sits and waits to be repaired? Or if it is programmed incorrectly and a batch of materials have to be re-run, what is the cost of time and money on that mistake?

The answer to a manual or automated process is really dependent upon the business, the strategy and what needs to be achieved. Such as how high-quality does the end product need to be, i.e., does it depend on a high-quality weld to be reliable? Do the metals involved lend themselves to automation? What isn’t working, and what is working, about the current process, how much flexibility does your process depend on, and what is the budget versus the income for the project? All of these questions will lead to the best answer on the type of process to implement.

Learn more about Industrial Maid solutions for Robotic and Automated Welding.