The robotisation of welding processes in industry brings with it a significant increase in precision and productivity. Dedicated robotic welding workstations are able to carry out the welding process without physical input from the worker. Welding robots perform welds with much greater precision than human workers, and much more efficiently than is the case with manual welding. Assisted by multi-axis platforms and cleaning stations, welding robots allow easy positioning of the welded material in the desired orientation and negate the need for frequent wire changes.
Welding robots are much safer than manual welding, with anti-collision sensors to prevent collisions, appropriate sensors, curtains, buttons and indicator lights to ensure the process has a much lower chance of accidents than manual welding. This reduces the risk of arc burns and negates the health costs associated with visual impairment that occur as a result of manual welding.
Almost all welding methods are easily realised with welding robots, bridging the relatively high threshold of manual skills required for manual welding using these methods. When answering the question of whether welding robots will replace manual welders, the answer is definitely yes. However, welding knowledge will not become useless. The way it is used will change. Adjusting the welding process parameters to the task at hand will still be the task of a skilled flesh-and-blood worker.
There will also be a need to monitor robotic welding. Those skilled in looking at multiple screens monitoring welding process parameters, responding to warnings and errors, carrying out tabular analysis of documentation showing the average values of the relevant process parameters, and handling the export and presentation of this data will certainly find the skills increasingly in demand.
The benefits of robotising the welding process apply to both entrepreneurs and employees. Welding robots make it possible to significantly increase welding productivity and safety.
