Product category:
Robots and robotic systems
News Release from: Wittmann UK | Subject: Robotic and automated welding systems
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 09 June 2003
Automated welding systems set to slash
costs
Wittmann UK has launched a range of robotic and automated welding systems and services that will slash costs and boost capacity for many UK manufacturers.
Wittmann UK has launched a range of robotic and automated welding systems and services that will slash costs and boost capacity for many UK manufacturers The move is aimed at first and second tier and other main OEM suppliers with a large amount of manual MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding who are aiming to upgrade plant and reskill for greater capacity
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 3 Sep 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The UK's automotive supply industry is a key market for the new Wittmann UK systems.
The principal areas of activity to benefit are largely metals-based products in short-run, short-term sub assembly work.
Typical product areas to benefit include: pedal boxes, door hanger brackets, boot arms, dashboard assemblies and other components that require a variety of MIG tack, stitch and detailed spot welding.
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Brian Farman, who has over thirty years' experience in the sector with companies such as GEC, SAF Welding Products, Motorman Robotics and Modular Automation, is leading the new Wittmann UK initiative.
'This kind of welding sub-assembly work can be extremely cost-intensive and time-consuming and also has extremely demanding quality controls attached,' he says.
A dashboard sub assembly, for example, may require as many as fifty spot welds, most to an accuracy of 1 millimetre and the job may take a skilled operator up to two hours to complete.
By comparison - and evidenced from recent piece of work - an automated welding system can complete the same job in 18.5 minutes; less than 20% of the time.
Moreover, the automation system includes an automatic quality control system.
Farmer points out that by itself, this kind of productivity is not the only factor to justify machine payback.
'In fact a greater prize is probably available to the supplier in the released capacity - and in being able to take on more work.' In this context, welding robots and automation does not spell job losses or downsizing.
On the contrary: the benefits free the supplier to reskill the workforce for more work and for different tasks; in programming and scheduling and other kinds of production management.
Another popular myth is that robotic and automated welding cells require more shop floor space than that previously used by operators.
The opposite is frequently the case, according to Farman.
'Welding jigs and fixtures are fairly standard and don't need changing.
The footprints and facilities are mainly the same - in fact the manual footprint is probably bigger than needed,' he says.
The Wittmann UK supplied systems typically select from a range of specially adapted Kawasaki robots, a choice of welding equipment, and where required, a choice of automated vision inspection systems.
The robot programming expertise is typically taught to operators over a half-day's training and as an ISO 9001:2000 qualified company, Wittmann UK's design and service capabilities mean that the company is committed to customer care - making sure that the customers 'grow' with their new technology.
Farman notes that 'a fear factor can often prevent companies from buying something that they won't be able to service or fully understand in six months time.' The Wittmann UK 24hr turnaround service and maintenance contract means that the customer is never more than phone call or email away from any problem solving or creative adaptation of the technology.'.
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