FACE TO FACE
The CWC-S Cobot welding cell from Fronius .
Digital support is also becoming increasingly important e . g . weld sequencing . A digital welding sequence plan ensures consistent quality , shortens the learning curve and helps companies to transfer knowledge .
Welding data management & analysis systems ensure quality assurance and improve resource efficiency i . e . they are easy on the wallet and the environment . Reducing material consumption and optimising processes remain high on our agenda .
Metal 3D printing can be used flexibly and is resource-saving , offering a wide range of possibilities . Repairs can be done on-site and long waiting times for moulds or their modifications , for example , can be eliminated . Metal printing also means enormous flexibility in design and enables new geometries , which makes it very interesting for prototyping . Our CMT ( Cold Metal Transfer ) process already offers a very stable , low-spatter process with reduced heat input and we are working on further improvements .
Consultancy and services have been our strengths for years and we feel that we can support customers very well with our offers e . g . when our experts advise on production optimisation or carry out feasibility analyses or prototype production for our customers .
By doubling the manufacturing capacity at our production site in Pettenbach ( Austria ), we responded to the strong increase in demand for MIG / MAG , TIG and plasma torches for manual , stationary and robotic welding applications . We develop and produce these torches ourselves .
The dynamic market and highly competitive environment propelled us to grow significantly as a company . In 2020 , Fronius still had 5,440 employees but , by the beginning of 2023 , it already had more than 7,000 worldwide . Only in this way can we further consolidate our hard-earned role as a technology and innovation leader and meet our own high standards . During this period , for example , over 200 new solutions were registered as patents . efficiency is of particular importance from an economic and ecological point of view .
However , all our technical solutions also take into account the health and safety of all skilled workers . We therefore place a clear focus on sustainability , health & safety and the shortage of skilled workers .
ISMR : Which trends have you identified in global welding markets ?
HS : Automation , wherever it makes sense and is necessary , can and will provide relief from the growing shortage of skilled workers . For example , cobots can relieve skilled workers of routine tasks and free them up for other tasks .
Robotic welding system from Fronius .
ISMR : Where do you see the greatest challenges and opportunities ?
HS : We are devoting more attention to the shortage of skilled workers , sustainability and health & safety , as we see both challenges and opportunities in these areas .
Skilled worker shortage : It will be important to attract skilled young people and especially women to the welding profession . That ’ s why we are already starting with training and presented the Welducation Simulator to the public for the first time at the SCHWEISSEN and SCHNEIDEN trade show in Essen , Germany . This offers realistic , resourcesaving and high-quality training to welders .
Trainees can use the Welducation Simulator to practice all three process variants ( manual
ISMR : Which research and development areas are your current areas of focus ?
HS : Fronius is known for pioneering worldfirsts with which we have influenced the welding industry . To remain an innovation leader , we currently employ 840 experts in R & D ( of which around 400 colleagues work exclusively for Perfect Welding ) and hold 1,446 patents ( 1,016 in welding technology ).
Since quality requirements are increasing everywhere , but the required welding specialists are scarce , one key focus of our development work is to find solutions to the shortage of skilled workers . Resource
60 | ismr . net | ISMR October 2023