Seven Benefits of Robotic Welding

When many people think of welding, they often think of a tradesman down on their hands and knees, sparks reflected in their protective mask. While this is certainly one way to weld—and it does have its benefits—modern technology and industry innovation have led to the implementation of robotic welding in the fabrication industry and related fields. And that innovation isn’t slowing down; robots today are becoming exceedingly adept at this job, using futuristic-sounding features such as 3D laser vision to get the job done right.

While having a robot do something previously possible only in human hands might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, is it right for your industrial parts fabrication needs and your off-highway equipment?

Why Robotic Welding?

In a majority of cases, we at BSM North America, as custom steering column and industrial fabrication pros, highly recommend robotic welding. This is for a variety of reasons, one being the safety of our staff. Welding by hand can expose technicians to a variety of noxious fumes, so it’s generally a safer procedure for something unaffected by these fumes—a robot—to handle this potentially dangerous task.

But it’s not just the off-road steering columns pros that robotic welding benefits; our customers reap quite a few perks, too!

Optimum Quality

While human welders are of course skilled, nobody can beat a robot that’s programmed for the task. The phrase “human error” contains the word “human” for a reason! Nobody is perfect, but with the use of robots, we at BSM North America can get you results that are all the closer.

Faster Turnaround Times

In order for a human welder to give top-notch results, they’d no doubt have to do their work slowly, but this isn’t so for a robot! Modern technology means that machines can make the parts you need in a jiffy, without sacrificing quality.

Enhanced Consistency

You need your OEM machines to function consistently, and they need consistently made parts to do that. Because robots are programmed to do the exact same task day in and day out, you can trust that each part you recieve is made to exact specifications, giving your products reliability customers can count on.

Increased Productivity

A robotic welder can repeatedly work at the same rate and speed and weld paths. This means a higher yield increase as the welding process is batched together. So, instead of the welders working 8 or 12 hours, the robot can work the later hours for an additional batch, and your company can increase productivity and customer satisfaction, resulting in more sales.

Safer Welding Process

Many expenses go into a robotic welding system, including testing the equipment and training your team to operate them. But the fact remains that robotic welders can be a safer option because it keeps people away from the risks involved with the process.

If an employee is injured on the job, this can be a much more considerable expense that can lead to L & I claims and long-term issues with their performance. However, as an alternative, if the robot is damaged, the cost may only be a repair or replacement.

Lower Operating Costs

With the rising labor costs using robotics makes more sense because the pricing is much cheaper than it was ten years ago. There is always an investment in initiating a system with robot welders because they require testing, specific training for your staff, and certain accessories, but they can pay for themselves in productivity.

In addition, there may be some projects your team members don't want to do or are not capable of completing, which is where robot welders are an asset. There's no worry of the workers being unable to complete the task, meaning your production levels don't have to slow and your operating costs won't suffer.

Re-work and Waste Reduction Benefits

Robots, unlike humans, will use exactly what they're programmed to operate in terms of welding speed and fill rate. They have an outline of specifications they need to follow, which helps reduce resource waste and prevents over-welding.

Count on BSM North America for Commercial Machining & Industrial Fabrication

Your OEM machines deserve only top-notch parts—and we at BSM North America never settle for anything less. Give our Burnsville location a call today at 952-890-8146 to speak with our engineering team.