MIG/GMAW & TIG/GTAW Arc Welding Systems

What is a Robotic Arc Welding System? How can I determine what type of Arc Welding is best for my process, and what kind of robotic cell layout I need to complete my process most efficiently?

[Pictures of Stryver built Robotic Welding Systems below]

A robotic arc welding system is a form of automation used to complete welding processes with industrial robot arms. These welding robots have weld torches attached in place of robot grippers or other tooling to allow welding to occur. These torches are powered by specialty welding power supplies from manufacturers such as Miller, Lincoln, and Fronius, and they allow weld parameters such as current input to automatically adjust for an optimized welding process.

In an automated welding environment, Robotic Gas Metal Arc Welding (Robotic GMAW) is ideal because the process is easily controlled. MIG welding has a wide heat-affected zone to allow it to be more forgiving of loose tolerances. The filler wire and conditional gases needed to shield against discontinuities vary based on need, but Stryver can work with you to determine a good combination for your parts. Despite the flexibility of the GMAW process, this does not mean that translating this process into a robotic GMAW system is easy to design and implement. Nor does it mean other processes, such as Robotic TIG Welding or Robotic Laser Welding, should be overlooked.

Here are some considerations Stryver makes when determining the most optimal design for a Robotic Arc Welding System:

  1. What is the yearly target production target for the welded assembly?
  2. What is the total weld length? How many welds are included?
  3. What kind of arc welding process is needed to weld these parts?
  4. Are there floorspace requirements or manpower requirements?
  5. Will any current robots or robotic systems need to be re-used for this application?
  6. Is more than one type of welding used to complete the assembly?

The biggest challenges for Robotic Arc Welding Systems occur when the system is used to weld metals which are good electric and heat conductors or when the welded assemblies are held to very tight tolerances. The malleability of softer metals like Aluminum can lead to sloppy welds, discontinuities, and an overall poor finished product. Tight tolerances, like those required for Robotic Laser Welding, require the smallest level of shimmability be built in to accommodate variation. Our team understands that the success of any arc welding robotic system is dependent on many aspects including the power source, the wire drive, and the contact tip. Our team has experience controlling these factors and more to ensure your pieces are properly and precisely welded together, within tolerances, no matter what the material of the components may be in your application.

If you would like to make your GMAW , TIG , Laser, or MIG process move faster with precise results, let us design a custom built robotic arc welding robotic system for you. Our team has the experience and knowledge necessary to ensure the robotic system will meet your production standards.