Unlocking the Potential of Robotic Welding: A Guide to the Various Welding Processes and Their Applications
High levels of education and ability are needed to weld. However, the quantity of qualified welders needs to be higher than the sector requires. By 2023, the industry will need more than 375,000 welders to meet consumer and business demands, according to the American Welding Society. Manufacturers can employ robotic welding equipment to support on-site applications and meet industry demands.
Automation by robots ensures more precision, reduced waste, and quicker processes. Robots can adapt to various welding techniques, including arc welding, resistance welding, spot welding, TIG welding, and more, thanks to the type of machinery available.
1. ARC WELDING
The arc method is one of the most popular styles of robotic welding. In Robotic Welding Processes, a heated electric arc reaching 6,500 degrees Fahrenheit melts the metal. Parts are connected by molten metal, which after cooling, solidifies into a secure link. Arc welding is the perfect application when a project demands a significant amount of precisely connected metals.
2. RESISTANCE WELDING
Robots may employ resistance welding when tasks require heat treatment or cost-cutting measures are needed. A puddle of molten metal is created during this process as an electrical current travels between the two metal bases. This molten metal connects the chunks of metal.
3. SPOT WELDING
Some materials are resistant to electrical currents, making other types of welding impossible. In the automotive industry, this circumstance frequently arises when assembling the body of an automobile. Robotic welders employ a version of resistance welding to join two thin metal sheets together in a single location to get around the problem.
4. TIG WELDING
TIG welding may be necessary for robot welding applications needing high degrees of precision. GTAW, short for gas tungsten arc welding, is another name for this process. A tungsten electrode and the metal base form an electric arc.
5. MIG WELDING
Gas metal arc welding, usually referred to as MIG or GMAW, is a quick and easy technique that takes advantage of a high deposition level. Wire melts as it advances continuously toward the heated welder tip. The base could then become connected to another piece by molten metal dripping onto it.
6. LASER WELDING
Laser is the best technique for joining metal when welding operations call for accuracy for many parts. Laser welding is frequently used for small components like jewelry or medical items.
7. PLASMA WELDING
Because the operator may readily alter the speed of gas travelling through the nozzle and the temperature, plasma welding gives the greatest versatility.