FACE TO FACE
QUBE vs manual welder
AWL and OMRON have developed QUBE , the cobot ( collaborative robot ) welding cell for manufacturers producing smaller batches ( such as 100 to 1,000 pieces ) and different product types .
‘ Up until now there were really only two robot welding methods used in the automation industry : high-end robot welding cells or low-threshold cobots mounted on a pedestal . The robot welding cell is highly suited to producing large batches , but the investment can be too high . In contrast , the cobot welding cell is the best option for smaller batches and still uses the benefits of automation with its turntable boosting the cells output ,” said Tom Vrugteveen , Sales Engineer , AWL .
Stephan Pruiksma , Manager Business Development Benelux / Innovation Manager , OMRON Benelux , added : “ With QUBE , anyone without welding experience can flexibly , efficiently and safely weld , or teach the cobot to weld , in 15 minutes . Using a simple operating panel , they can program the cobot in a jiffy , after which production can be started . Robots and employees can now work side-by-side in an efficient way , which was never possible before in the world of welding for safety reasons .”
QUBE , the cobot welding cell .
designs and implements its concepts and solutions . A particular focus was on showing manufacturers how to take the next step with its capabilities in joining technologies ; ( logistics ) automation ; assembly techniques ; advanced robotics and machine vision . Booth visitors could watch live welding on the AWL booth or weld their own giveaways , as well as view AWL ’ s latest vision technologies .
“ There are always reasons for customers to take the next step ,” added Niels van ’ t Hul , Business Unit Manager General Industry , AWL . “ The shortage of skilled labour is a key challenge , particularly in markets like the U . S . and Europe , and is curtailing our customers ’ growth . All the real craftmanship that has been built up over the last 40 / 50
Robotic operations .
years is disappearing , as people retire . So , there is a great opportunity now to transfer that knowledge to a new generation . If manufacturers can do that by working with welders on the weld quality that they want for products and make the transition to automation , they are making best use of the skilled people in their company . If they wait a few more years , they will be gone ……,” he warned .
AWL ’ s expertise in laser-welding technology has seen it become a regular supplier to the automotive industry . Every year , AWL machines make parts for ten million cars worldwide . The electric vehicle industry holds a lot of opportunity for the Dutch systems integrator .
“ We tend to work with Tier 1 or Tier 2 manufacturers in the automotive sector and have a global footprint , following our customers and working on projects all over the world ,” Gerard Ramaker highlighted . “ We see a lot of potential in the electric vehicle ( EV ) industry . With our laser-welding technology , we do good business on the precision welding
of 0.5mm aluminium / steel for battery pack cooling systems . We now produce large machines making parts for electric vehicles e . g . cooling systems . We see this as a promising business .”
Innovation in focus
AWL welcomed over 100 international customers to its new headquarters in Harderwijk ( the Netherlands ) during its annual customer event in June this year , AWL Tech Days . Customers visited an assembly factory of 10,000m ², with office space of 4,000m ² incorporated into the factory . It includes a meeting centre ; modern workplaces ; training areas and a company restaurant .
AWL ’ s continuous investments in innovation , strong partnerships and skilled employees have formed the basis for its growth . Its product and system innovations ( e . g . on joining techniques ), which are tested and presented in its Customer Experience and Training Centre , have a prominent place in the new building . Guided tours also include the Experience Centre , where demonstrations of technologies such as laser welding can be seen .
“ In our Experience Centre , we create test assemblies and run trial series and pre-series . Reliable applications can be tested , based on the latest technologies . We also carry out welding tests , so that they can validate our customers ’ new developments . This enables us to start new production processes quickly and efficiently . Moreover , in collaboration with Fieldlab Industrial Robotics ( FIR ), we train robotics technicians and robot engineers here . In addition , work is done in the FIR on developing our own personnel for the