Robotic welders and automation are becoming more available for low-volume and high-mix product manufacturers. However, prior to selecting a new robotic welder, follow this checklist to assess if a robotic welder is right for you:
- Does your finance department agree with the purchase? Ask for input and opinions from employees and managers from every department about this capital investment.
- Does an external welding automation expert agree your parts can be welded with automation? Train your internal welding expert on how to design parts with weld features and processes that are feasible with automation.
- Can your employees fixture and clamp parts securely? Clamp parts in the same place, every time, for a repeatable weld and consider keeping manufacturing activities, such as fixturing, in-house to keep the automated welding cell productive.
- Can your operator move material in and out of the welding cell? A lower-cost employee, or a machine-feeding robot, may be needed to fixture and feed parts to the machine.
- Do you have enough floor space? The welding cell and guarding will take up space on the floor; but we advise you purchase a robot with the longest reach you can afford for larger parts that may need to be welded in the future.
- Should you re-train your workforce? Robot welder training tools exist so your workforce does not need to learn how to program the device; but your employees should learn how to fixture, set-up, and maintain the robotic work cell along with automation processes and part design that are friendly with automation.
- Can your insurance premium be reduced? Manual welding is a dangerous job that exposes employees to flash, sparks, fumes, and, in some cases, toxic gases. An automated system minimizes human contact with those dangerous aspects of the job. In fact, a robotic welding cell actually may reduce insurance costs and workers’ compensation claims.