FACE TO FACE the world of welding on its stand . The full-service provider brought the industry ’ s biggest trends to life using live welding demonstrations , LED cubes and its entire product range from manual welding to digitalisation , cobots and robot welding cells .
“ We give the trade fair visitors a glimpse into the future of welding , presenting solutions for the major challenges facing the industry such as increasing sustainability requirements , protecting welders ’ health and the acute shortage of skilled workers . The theme of digitalisation in welding technology was also reflected in the design and layout of our 400- square-metre stand with suspended LED cubes and LED strips on the floor to symbolise the growth and increasing importance of networking as part of Welding 4.0 ,” Frank Bartels , CTO , EWM GmbH , told ISMR at the show .
Among the stand ’ s TIG welding highlights was a new 19-pole , foot-operated remote control ( RTF-X TIG ) that allows users to regulate the current while welding ( root or positional welding ). A compact , powerful inverter welding machine , the new 10kg Picotig 220 puls DC with robust , lightweight design , was also showcased on the stand . Users can achieve welding currents of 220 A with 40 % duty cycle for TIG welding and currents of 190 A with 35 % duty cycle for MMA welding . This is a significant increase in performance in comparison to the previous model .
“ We are continuously improving our existing welding products ( such as the new Picotig 220 ) and processes ( such as the coldArc + XQ process offering faster travel speeds whilst maintaining stability of the arc ). Xnet 2.2 , our Industry 4.0 welding management system , is continuously being updated for companies who wish to record , maintain and manage their quality processes . We will also be launching
The new Picotig 220 puls DC from EWM .
From left to right : Frank Bartels , CTO , EWM GmbH , and Alan Cauchi , MD , EWM UK .
TIG welding in focus .
more power source variants , manual machines , process variants and robot torches over the next few months ,” Alan Cauchi , managing director of EWM UK , outlined to ISMR on EWM ’ s stand at Essen .
Automation solutions on display in Essen included XQbot cobot welding cells with integrated CRX robot from FANUC as an entry-level solution for the production of small and very small batches . Complete modular systems for automation based on standard components , which are individually configurable , are also available to EWM customers . The company also presented a robotic solution for the forceTig ® welding process at the trade show . This joining process enables higher energy density in the weld pool by using an extremely concentrated welding arc for high welding speeds .
EWM ’ s Press Café on its stand kept visitors abreast of the latest developments in welding technology , from manual welding to cobots and robotic welding cells .
An eye on growth
“ We now have a new shareholder and strategic partner , Armira , which has introduced Board Members with innovative ideas and expertise . As a group , we expect to grow over the next five years , mainly in areas such as automation , and to increase our sales by at least 10 % per year . This includes increasing our presence worldwide ,” Frank Bartels highlighted to ISMR .
This sentiment was echoed by Alan Cauchi who confirmed that , despite restricted turnover in parts of the world such as Asia and China , the EWM group has managed to maintain growth at 10 % year-on-year .
“ In China , we are back on track again . We are also trying to expand our business in Europe beyond western Europe and into other markets . In the UK , we have exceeded our previous year ’ s turnover targets over the last two years . We reached a new record in 2022 with the highest turnover we have ever made in the UK . That was off the back of the changes that we had to make because of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic ,” he said .
Both Frank Bartels and Alan Cauchi agree that the mood in global markets is ‘ cautiously positive ’ at the moment .
“ Although uncertainly has affected market
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