Valk Welding: Purchasing your first robot?

There are some obstinate myths about the employment of robots in production processes. It is said that the use of robots is only profitable for large series, it is said to be expensive and the implementation complex. Nothing is further from the truth. Due to the currect state of technology, the use of a robot is a lot easier, more flexible and profitable than in the past. At present also small series can easily be automated, thus offering interesting opportunities, also for small and medium sized manufacturers!



Fiction......
Fiction statement 1. Programming a robot is complex, time-consuming and hard to learn

Fiction statement 2. A welding robot can never equal the craftsmanship of a qualified manual welder

Fiction statement 3. The use of a welding robot is only profitable to produce large series

Fiction statement 4. For the operation of a robot, highly qualified people are needed

Fiction statement 5. A robot can only carry out one task and operate only one tool

Fiction statement 6. A robot is extremely expensive



.... and facts:
1. Programming a robot is not difficult and not time-consuming. The 'teach pendant" (control panel) of a robot has graphical symbols to simplify the programming job. Moreover, most control panels make use of Microsoft software, the use of which is familiar for the user. In order to further simplify programming activities, there are various tools on the market. For example robots can now be programmed via computer with the so-called off-line programming software. Unique programmes can further  automatically be generated with Custom Made Robot Software. Just press the button and the robot will calculate the programme. Valk Welding offers complete robot and software courses so that everyone can learn to programme in 2 to 3 days!

2. Undoubtedly, a qualified manual welder has qualities a welding robot lacks, but on the other hand, a welding robot has many advantages compared with a manual welder. In most cases, men and machine complement each other well. A welding robot has no trouble at all with monotonous and labour intensive work: he is never sick, is not troubled by harmful vapours and is able to weld product after product with the largest possible accuracy.

3. Certainly not! Small series too can perfectly be automated with a welding robot. Even the production of single pieces is possible! There are several products on the market that allow the flexible production of single pieces and/or small series. For example: off-line programming software to programme the robot from the PC without having to stop the robot and flexible and multifunctional clamping frames to offer several products to the robot.

4. Not true. Operating a robot is so simple that the installation will do the job with just one press on the button. The operator only has to position the material and remove the finished welded products. With the use of a simple 'user interface', the operator himself can make programmes if required.

5. Also not true. A robot can change tools independently, and make use of for example a gripper, a welding torch and a plasma cutting torch. With these tools, the robot can do light assembly work, and then finally weld the product aflast and cut the required notches in the product. All of this without any intervention of the operator!

6. A robot need not be expensive. There are various 'low budget' robot systems on the market with which most products can be automated. Certainly when comparing the purchase price with the output and saving in labour costs, robot automation will prove to be very lucrative!

Related products:
- DTPS Off-line Programming Software
- Valk Welding standard concepts

Related articles:
- Off-line programming of welding robot increases quality and production capacity