Robotic welding cell helps overcome skills shortage

Today there is a general lack of highly skilled welding labour in many markets around the world, including Australia. One way in which this problem can be mitigated is through the use of robotic welding, which is now in greater demand. For many manufacturing operations requiring welding skill sets, robotic systems are no longer a preferred option but simply a necessity.

I was recently present at the unveiling of such a robotic welding cell by leading Australian welding equipment supplier Kemppi Australia.

Left to right: David Green, Managing Director, Kemppi Australia; Chris Smallbone, CEO, WTIA; and Emil Dela Cruz, Regional Sales Manager NSW/NZ.

Purpose built, the cell demonstrates the key attributes of a robotic welding package. Kemppi Australia has combined its Kemparc 450 Pulse power source with an ABB 1520ID robot to illustrate its capability.

According to Kemppi Australia Managing Director David Green, the pace and precision of a robotic welding package is exceptional.

“Robots weld with far greater speed and accuracy when compared to traditional manual welding methods. These benefits can translate into huge productivity gains and improved quality management and control for firms,” said Green.

Apart from the dual benefits of increased productivity and quality control, robotic welding is on the rise globally, not only due to the lack of highly skilled welders, but also the cost of installing robotic systems has fallen considerably in relative terms, particularly over the last five years. This has helped to make robotic welding a real and viable option for even small manufacturing operations.

Kemppi Australia’s entry into the robotic welding market comes as no surprise. Kemppi’s parent company, Kemppi Oy, has long supplied robotic power sources to robotic manufacturers worldwide as well as their integrators and customers.

“We recognise that we have top-performing robotic power sources with some unique features as well as an international track record in this area. This, together with the growing local demand for highly skilled welders that is becoming increasingly difficult to fill, has helped to crystallise our strategy for robotic welding in Australia,” explained Green.

Kemppi offers a range of premium quality robotic power sources in its Kemparc (both Synergic and Pulse options) and Tandem systems. Designed to perform, the systems can be supplemented by ‘intelligent’ software which aims at optimising the welding arc to help deliver increased productivity and better quality management.

Another essential ingredient of the Kemppi robotic welding power sources is their reliability. Reliability is key in a highly automated and intensive production operation.

In addition to independent service agents’ assistance, the highly compact Kemparc and Tandem systems are also supported locally by Kemppi’s in-house technical and service centre.

Kemppi’s Robotic Welding Cell will allow customers to pre-test their desired Kemppi power source using their own materials and consumables to demonstrate the reliability and quality of the power source.

Customers will also be able to supplement and test the standard robotic power source package with various Kemppi welding software options, to identify the optimum welding arc for their specific application.

“Our Robotic Welding Cell clearly demonstrates the capability of robotic welding and allows customers to envisage the potential of such capability,” said Green.