If you've ever gotten a robot weld estimate, you know that the actual time is less than what you expected. Most weld decision makers expect the robots to be able to play around with the weld controls, and that's why they're often surprised when the actual time is less than the estimated one. But the robots don't play around! They follow a precise programming schedule to perform each weld correctly and efficiently.
A robot welding estimate is an ideal number for welders, but the actual time may be less than that. Weld quality can suffer if there are a lot of issues with the robot. The process itself can be difficult to automate. If you're not an expert in the process, you may end up with a weld that isn't as good as you'd like.
The main reason for the difference is the quality of the weld. Because a robot is programmed to work to a certain standard, the weld process is more accurate than the human operator can do. You don't have to worry about the human error. Because robots are very repeatable, it's hard to make a mistake. They can follow a pre-programmed path to within five thousandths of an inch. That is important for achieving high-quality weld joints. Moreover, it also eliminates distortions that can occur in manual weld processes.
Another important factor that can lead to a shortcoming in robot welding is the lack of expertise among the robots. The robots are trained to compensate for the differences in the welding process such as distortion or variation. This is particularly important for other industries as these skills could be useful in many other fields. If you're looking for an investment in a robotic welding system, it is wise to make the investment in a robotic welding setup. In no time, the ROI of investing in robotic welds will pay for itself.
As far as robot welding goes, the most important factor to consider is the quality of welds. A high-quality weld will be less likely to break than a poorly-designed weld. Likewise, the robots are more likely to be accurate than a human. But the difference in time between a robot and a human is often not apparent. The quality of welds is more consistent than human welders.
Lastly, the robots' ability to change their configurations means that they can complete welding faster. These robots require a short calibration, but the actual time is always less than the estimated one. With these, you can get a high-quality weld that is consistent and reliable. Even though the process may be automated, the welds must be manually calibrated. Then, the robot will start to move the electrode along a preset pathway.