The effectiveness of a robotic welding integration project is determined by tangible outcomes in several crucial aspects. First and foremost, the quality of the weld bead is of utmost importance, as it directly impacts the strength, safety, and compliance with regulations. High-quality robotic welding results in fewer defects such as porosity, lack of fusion, undercut, or spatter, and ensures greater geometric consistency. Furthermore, automation contributes to maintaining a constant welding speed, precise angles, and a repeatable path, which significantly reduces the variability that often arises in manual welding processes.
Another essential factor in evaluating success is the efficiency and productivity of the process. This is reflected in how many parts can be reliably welded within a specific timeframe, with consistent cycle times and balanced production lines. Achieving stable and predictable cycle times allows for better planning of inventory, deliveries, and overall production capacity within the plant.
Cost per part is also a fundamental measure of operational success. While the initial investment is not the focus, the ongoing benefits are assessed through reductions in scrap, less rework, and decreased consumption of materials due to fewer errors or spatter. The stabilisation offered by automation in the welding process helps lower the overall costs associated with defective parts.
System availability is another key criterion; it refers to the proportion of time the system is productive as opposed to experiencing downtime. Minimising unplanned stoppages and ensuring the system can be quickly adapted for new parts or programmes are vital for maintaining operational stability and functionality.
Personnel safety is also an integral part of evaluating the project’s success. Although it is not always represented by numerical data, improvements are visible through reduced exposure to harmful elements like UV radiation and welding particles, as well as a decrease in ergonomic risks, especially when handling large or awkward components. Additionally, the use of enclosed cells helps better control fumes and heat, further safeguarding worker health without compromising the quality of results.
URT plays a pivotal role by supplying refurbished industrial robots from leading brands such as KUKA, FANUC, and ABB, which are widely used in automated welding applications around the world. URT’s contribution extends to integrating comprehensive solutions tailored to specific projects, combining robots, torches, and peripheral equipment as required. Adherence to the manufacturer’s technical specifications is a priority, ensuring the robots’ repeatability, load capacity, and reach meet the necessary standards. URT also provides technical support and spare parts for the models they sell, which helps maintain high system availability.
Ultimately, the final measure of success is based on the metrics agreed upon with each client, taking into account their unique processes, production volumes, and regulatory demands. A robotic welding project is only truly successful if it delivers consistent welds, maintains stable cycle times, reduces operational costs, operates reliably, and enhances workplace safety. When these factors show genuine improvement, the integration can be considered a success from an industrial point of view.
At URT, we recognise the value this robot brings to highly demanding sectors such as electronics, and we offer solutions that enable our customers to integrate ABB technology into their production lines to achieve new levels of efficiency and competitiveness.