FOCUS ON WELDING
The KUKA cell4 _ arc robot cell .
Robots with less than 25kg payload are extensively used for arc and spot welding in the automotive & transportation , metals & machinery and construction industries
plasma welding technologies are expected to provide significant growth opportunities for stakeholders in this market . However , the lack of skilled workers for operating welding robots is expected to pose a major challenge to the growth of this market ,” said the report .
Based on component , the robotic welding market is segmented into robots ; end-ofarm tooling ( EOAT ) devices ; controllers and software . The robot segment is further subsegmented into articulated robots ; cartesian robots ; cylindrical robots ; SCARA robots ; collaborative robots ; delta robots and other robots . The end-of-arm tooling ( EOAT ) devices segment is sub-segmented into welding torches ; vision systems ; sensors ; feeder systems ; plasma flow controllers and other EOAT devices .
In 2022 , the robot segment was expected to account for the largest share of the robotic welding market . This is attributed to the wide usage of robots across various industries , including automotive ; oil & gas ; manufacturing and defence . These robots are highly flexible in their configurations , enabling users to adjust their speed , precision , stroke length and size . Additionally , this segment is slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period .
“ In 2022 , the less than 25kg payload segment is expected to account for the largest share of the robotic welding market .
The Vectis / UR Park ’ N ’ Arc solution ( Photo : Business Wire ).
Robots with less than 25kg payload are extensively used for arc and spot welding in the automotive & transportation , metals & machinery and construction industries . However , the 25-100kg payload segment is slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period ,” outlined the report .
In 2022 , the automotive & transportation segment was estimated to account for the largest share of the robotic welding market . This segment was slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period .
Cobot welding systems
Long dismissed as too heavy-duty a task for cobots , welding is now the fastest growing application segment for Universal Robots ( UR ).
“ The channel grew more than 80 % over the first nine months of 2022 compared to last year , with well over 1,200 cobots expected to ship in the welding vertical this year ,” said the robot manufacturer .
UR ’ s partners are continuously developing new capabilities for the cobot welders . At the FABTECH exhibition at the end of 2022 , it showcased new solutions from Vectis Automation and Hirebotics for welding larger and more complex parts . Laser welding applications with Cobot Systems were also highlighted at FABTECH 2022 . At Universal Robots ’ FABTECH booth , Vectis Automation launched the new Park ’ N ’ Arc ; a ‘ diving board ’ rotational range extender that allows for the base of the cobot to be manually moved to various locations .
“ Compared to a short linear track , the Park ’ N ’ Arc is an improved design for increasing range as the cobot base can be translated nearly 8ft in a linear direction while maintaining simplicity , robust cable management and portability ,” said
Josh Pawley , co-founder of Vectis Automation .
Another new take on welding larger parts , typically out of the cobot ’ s reach , was shown by Hirebotics and partner , Kinetic Technologies LLC . They launched RT1 , a new cobot-controlled rotary table designed to maximize welding capacity . Cobot Systems , a UR Certified Systems Integrator ( CSI ), also launched “ the first commercially available IPG LightWELD laser welder to be guided and controlled by a cobot .”
UR ’ s new 20kg payload cobot , the UR20 ,
Robotics for automotive manufacturing .