Fixed or hard automation systems are commonly used for processes that involve long, repeatable welds. The welding gun is held in a fixed position, and supporting equipment is used to position the work through linear or rotational motion. The main advantage of robotic welding is that mechanical systems can perform repetitive tasks with absolute precision, consistency, and speed.
Fixed robotic welding is an essential advancement for modern manufacturing. Contact CK Supply to see if it’s right for you. Our technicians are ready to help.
Hard automation is a starting point for businesses that want to integrate robotics in their processes, particularly if they have relied on manual welding to accomplish long, repeatable welds. Hard automation can be re-tooled and adjusted to accomplish other tasks.
Fixed automation systems will benefit large manufacturing operations that manufacture specific parts and products and rely on repeatable quality for every welded piece. Say an application requires welding 20 feet of an I-beam. Even a highly experienced manual welder would struggle to complete a consistent weld, but with positioners and a fixed welding gun, hard automation can travel along the beam to create a straight, consistent weld. The larger the application is, the more cost-effective fixed welding will be.
Hard automation requires little programming, and some systems can be manually controlled. Fixed automation systems depend on the process itself, which means it is simpler to train an operator to use the robot. Also, no programming experience is needed, only welding, which reduces setup times and complexity. Another important benefit of fixed automation systems is that it doesn’t take much time or resources to train a welder to use automatic positioning and fixed welding systems to accomplish the same process.
Years of Experience
Where fixed welding works for repeatable manufacturing processes, the more complex a part is, the better suited it is for flexible welding. A piece that requires a lot of twists and turns or welding in tight spaces needs flexibility in regards to torch orientation which suits a flexible welding application much better than a fixed welding setup.
Our Training Center is an essential resource that will train your technicians on the latest robotic welding and hard automation techniques. This training comes directly from our vendors, and it allows your operators to try out different types of automation systems and new techniques outside of their normal work environment.
Since 1948, CK Supply has provided welding products, industrial gases, and related services to industrial and manufacturing customers all across the Midwest. Call us today to find out more about our training programs and our fixed welding systems.
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