Welding is an essential process in manufacturing. It is used in many different industries and applications, such as construction, oil and gas, aerospace, and automotive. Welding also plays a major role in other processes like metal cutting or metal finishing. Welders are responsible for joining two pieces of metal together to create one final product.
Several types of welding processes are used to accomplish this task. Not all of them require the same amount of human interaction.
Welding Automation: A Good Choice
Automated welding is a self-sufficient process that requires little human assistance. If you’re thinking about implementing automation in your welding department, read on to find out why it’s a good idea.
Better Quality Welds
There are a lot of applications where welder productivity is more important than weld quality. In these cases, a slower welding process might be beneficial. Automated welding, however, allows you to balance these two parameters to achieve higher-quality welds. We can control many parameters related to the welding process, such as current, voltage, welding speed, and arc length. When you have these settings under your control, you can produce higher-quality welds.
Time-saving
Automated welding is relatively fast because the robot doesn’t need to rest. Welders need to take a break once they weld a certain number of joints, whereas the robot keeps working until it finishes the job. Another time-saving feature is that you don’t have to train your workers on how to operate the welding equipment. You only need to train them on how to use a computer to control the equipment. This can save you a lot of time because you don’t have to retrain workers once they switch from one welding process to another.
Reduced Worker Fatigue
If you want to reduce worker fatigue, automated welding is an excellent choice. The equipment has sensors that allow it to adjust itself whenever there is a change in the environment. For example, the equipment can sense when there is a lot of humidity in the air. It will then increase its current to compensate for the moisture that might cause short circuits. Another way automated welding reduces worker fatigue is by having a computer that keeps track of the current time. This is useful because you can program it to stop the welding process after a certain amount of time. You can also use it to track production. This can help you identify bottlenecks, have an accurate inventory, and forecast future demand.
Excellent Detection Abilities
Welding equipment can be dangerous because it produces electrical sparks. Welders have to put on unique clothing and safety gear whenever they work. Safety is of paramount importance when it comes to production. This is the reason why many industries require welders to pass a certification and be licensed. Automatic welding equipment comes with sensors that can detect sparks. If a spark is detected, the equipment automatically shuts down. Welders also use sensors to detect dangerous gasses, but they can’t detect sparks. This can be a hazard for people working in the area because they can come in contact with a spark.
Conclusion
Welding is an essential process in manufacturing and other industries. There are many types of welding processes, but they don’t always require a human operator. Automated welding is a good choice, as it allows you to control the welding process better and is faster than manual welding. Other advantages include better-quality welds, less worker fatigue, and excellent detection abilities.
