Automation, robotics, and optimization are some words that have caught the attention of manufacturers around the world. Recently, our team did a Q&A session about Welding Automation which was featured in both Manufacturing Automation and Robotics Insider. 

Did you know that the ancient Egyptians used welding to join metal pieces together? The art of welding has been around for centuries! Over the last few decades, however, technology has led to significant advancements in welding. Today, a variety of manufacturing processes make use of welding automation. Yet, despite it's popularity, understanding the different types of welding automation (and which is best for your process) can be an overwhelming challenge.

In this blog, we'll explain and simplify the main types of welding automation to help you start to understand which would be the best choice for your manufacturing process.
Sections in this post:

• Introduction/Review:
  • What is Welding Automation?
  • The Benefits of Welding Automation
• Types of Welding Automation

• The Walk,Crawl, Run theory of Welding Automation
• How to get started with Welding Automation

Welding has changed over time – technology and the growing demands in the workplace have reshaped the way companies fabricate, weld and manufacture. The introduction of welding automation (including robotic/flexible automation and mechanized/hard/fixed automation) has provided companies with new options and ways to improve their manufacturing and welding processes.  However, transitioning from manual welding to automated welding (or positioning/movement of parts) can be an overwhelming road for companies to navigate. They may find themselves asking: 

• What is Welding Automation? (Learn more) 

• What types of Welding Automation are there? (Learn more)
• Why should I even bother automating? What are the benefits?

In this post, we’re going to address those last two questions:

Read this article for the ultimate overview of welding automation.
We explore, on high-level, some of the questions and concepts to essential to understanding what Welding Automation is and the benefits of adding it into your manufacturing process.

Sections: 

1. What is Welding Automation

2. What are the benefits of Welding Automation?

3. What are the different types of Welding Automation? 

4. Are Automated Systems the same as Production Monitoring?

5. Ready to automate your welding process? 

IRCO Automation delivers a linear robot for box beam welding.

IRCO’s newly designed linear robot is optimized for pre-programmed multi-pass welding on multiple joints of the box beam. Without stopping, this system can weld each joint from one end of the work piece to the other, repeating its set sequence during the scheduled job until welding is complete. With numerous add-on features integrated into its design, this 3-axis linear robot has a 4th axis for supporting and rotating the workpiece. 

Click the video link below to learn more about this machine, some of it's key features, and how it all comes together. 

IRCO Automation, an Ontario-based business, has been selected by BAE Systems to design, fabricate and install a complete line of mechanized welding and positioning systems to help make submarine missile tubes for the United States Navy’s Virginia class submarines, the new backbone of the United States submarine force.

Video now available! Watch our Youtube video below to learn more about this custom designed Robotic Beam Welding System!

IRCO Automation is the designer and manufacturer of the SSC’s Automatic Panel Welder and the Hull Assembly Line (HAL) trolley system, installed at Textron Systems’ New Orleans Shipyard. In a second project phase, IRCO recently delivered three gantries, each with separate functions including marking, cutting, tacking and finish weld procedures. The three gantries were integrated with the customized trolley system to enable the transfer of the assembled craft through the production line.

Weld Fit-up System - 700,000 lb Vessel  

IRCO Automation recently delivered a custom-built fit-up system for welding 700,000 lb vessels. To learn more about this system, please read the blog posting below!

IRCO Automation Designs & Builds Robotic Beam Roll-Over & Welding Cell

IRCO Automation™'s most recent integration of robotics and weld automation resulted in the development of a custom designed Robotic Beam Welder solution. Designed, engineered and manufactured by IRCO, it was commissioned for a client in the oil and gas industry.