What Is Cobot Welding and How Is It Beneficial?

Advancements in robotics have altered the way many businesses conduct their work, and the same goes for the art of welding. In recent years, innovative cobot systems have made the process more accessible than ever before by positively affecting the output, the quality, and the cost of welding. But what exactly are cobots? And how are they used?

Keep reading for more information about cobot welding, including:

What are cobots?
Cobots vs. robots
The benefits of cobot welding
Who can utilize cobot welding systems?

What Are Cobots?

Collaborative robots, or cobots, share a workspace with humans, working together to accomplish a variety of specific tasks. They’re mobile, easy to use, and highly beneficial within the workplace.

Cobot welding involves using these mechanical aids for welding. Welding cobots make it easier to execute complex projects even if the user has never operated a robot before. They don’t require any safeguarding, as is usually the case with conventional robotic equipment, and they increase productivity by considerable measures with swift, precise movements.

Cobots vs. Robots

It can be challenging to distinguish cobots from robots when you’re unfamiliar with the differences. However, one major factor sets them apart: cobots are made to work alongside humans, whereas robots typically require protective guarding.

Cobots are often smaller, more mobile, and more versatile in their functions than traditional robots, which are bulkier and primarily programmed to serve a single purpose. Robots also require safeguards so that workers don’t get injured accidentally, but cobots come equipped with built-in sensors that detect humans and avoid unnecessary injuries.

Because robots are meant to operate independently and away from people, they aren’t as user-friendly. However, this isn’t the case with cobots, which are designed to make processes as easy and seamless as possible, whether that be welding, manufacturing, or anything else.

Cobot welding can deliver fast and accurate results without impacting the productivity of human workers. Read this blog to learn more about the impacts of welding robots and cobot welding.

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The Benefits of Cobot Welding

Thanks to its enticing benefits, cobot welding is more popular than ever. Here are some of the most prominent advantages of utilizing collaborative automated welding robots:

Eases the Strain of Hiring

Labor shortages for skilled welders continue to be an issue, but using cobot welders helps fill the gap. They release some of the strain under-staffed welders experience by collaborating with them to increase productivity. This also gives companies more time to find experienced workers in the meantime.

Optimizes Productivity

Even the most skilled welder must take occasional breaks, but a cobot welder can continue working around the clock. Not only that, but they are typically faster and just as accurate—if not more. Handing off long, mundane tasks to cobots allows workers to prioritize pressing issues elsewhere.

Easy to Program and Use

Operating an expensive robotic system might initially seem intimidating for those that have never used them, but there’s nothing to worry about. Cobot welding was designed with the inexperienced worker in mind, so it doesn’t take a robotics expert to manage it. It’s simple to program and requires minimal training to use.

Increases Safety

Considering their workers deal with extremely bright UV rays and incredible arc heat that is capable of doing severe damage, welding safety is a top priority for businesses. Cobots are built with reactive sensors that can quickly detect workers in their vicinity, improving overall safety. Additional measures include collision features, shutting the machine down or slowing movement if there is a chance of impact with a person or object.

Long-Term Cost Effectiveness

Purchasing a collaborative welding robot isn’t cheap, with base prices ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. However, these handy pieces of equipment pay for themselves over time. Costs can vary depending on the model, size, sensor precision, and more. Still, considering the cost of a welder’s salary, their benefits, vacation time, and the increased speed of cobot welding, they are well worth the investment in the long run.

Compare this to traditional robotic welding, which is immobile, difficult and expensive to install, and takes up considerable space, and the correct choice becomes even more apparent.

Compact and Mobile

Workspace is always an obstacle to deal with, regardless of your industry. A significant advantage of using cobot applications for welding is that the machines are compact. They don’t take up a substantial amount of space and are capable of being easily moved about the facility as needed, meaning you can bring the welder to the material rather than bringing the material to the welder. This is a highly versatile combination that allows for a customizable workspace.

Who Can Utilize Cobot Welding Systems?

Cobot welding has become a popular option among several industries with no signs of slowing down. You can expect to see these collaborative robots practically anywhere that welding might occur within the machine’s capability. A few industries include:

Automotive
Electronics
Heavy Equipment
Appliances
Aerospace

The more advanced these industrial robots become in terms of welding efficiency, the more common they’ll be used across industries.

Let Oxygen Service Company’s Cobot Solutions Improve Your Welding Process

With the many practical advantages of cobot automation, it’s unsurprising that many industries want to incorporate the technology into their welding practices. However, choosing a suitable machine for the job takes industry knowledge and cobot expertise that many are ill-equipped to deal with. Thankfully, with Oxygen Service Company as your supplier, you can rest easy knowing you’ll get the best machine for your next project—and at a reasonable price.

As an industry leader in automated robotic welding integration for over 20 years, Oxygen Service Co. is fully prepared to take your welding experience to the next level. Serving the areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Northern Iowa, and the Eastern Dakotas, we’re ready to travel within a 500-mile radius to better meet our customers’ needs.

If you’re looking to increase your welding quality and productivity while reducing the chance of a workplace injury, partner with Oxygen Service Company today!