Metal fabrication has come a long way from the original practices of welding. Until the end of the 1800s the only welding process available was forge welding. Blacksmiths joined iron and steel through the arduous process of heating and physically hammering pieces together. Since then, new types of welding have made the process cheaper, faster, and more efficient. The need for expediency during both world wars led to fast advances in welding technology. Here in the early 21st century robotic welding has now become commonplace in industrial settings. The robotic welding capabilities of IMH Products stand at the forefront of our operation.
Advantages of Robotic Welding
Industrial welding robots used to require significant up front investments, which limited them to only the largest of manufacturers. The advance of technology and cost-effective solutions have made them much more accessible. The top advantage of robotic welding is consistency. Even the best welding professionals can make mistakes, which ends up disrupting workflows. Welding machines are capable of delivering consistently strong welds that keep workflows moving.
Welding robots also increase weld efficiency and quality while conserving the usage of materials. A properly optimized robot performs each task according to the parameters that are set, which improves quality. An optimized system reduces spattering, delivers faster welds, and eliminates repeat tasks.Many manufactures also run operations 24/7 to increase productivity with robotic welding. While the upfront cost of a robot isn’t cheap, it will cost a business less over time.
Safety is also an important benefit of robotic welding. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 28% of all workplace injuries for metal and plastic workers were attributed to welders. Risks for Welder’s Eye, burns, electrocutions, and more are also reduced, as workers are able to program the robots before retreating to a safe distance away during the process.
Reducing Waste and Increasing Efficiency
One of the largest sources of waste in a welding operation is over-welding. Even the smallest mistake can cost thousands of dollars. Robots operate with incredibly precise specifications, which ensures that costs for filler materials will be significantly lower. With fewer filler materials used there is less need for cleanup of waste. That eliminates downtime between projects with clean and neat seams for even the most exacting clients.
All fabricators are looking to increase efficiency, and that is what the robotic welding capabilities in our shop at IMH Products allows us to do. We are able to compete with our market rivals because our robotic processes allow us to quickly adapt to new projects no matter how unusual they are. With robotic welding, the quality of materials used determines the quality of the weld. The efficiency comes from the delivery of a high-quality, consistent weld each and every time.
For more information on how IMH Products can solve your needs for welding contact us at sales@imh.com.