First MIG Welding System in the U.S. for Collaborative Robots
Ideal for low volume/high mix fabrication shops, the Collaborative Robot Welding Package developed by ARC Specialties and Universal Robots is a cobot-assisted, interactive welding system that can be deployed easily and flexibly in existing manual welding booths, eliminating the need for costly new robotic cells.
Posted: September 22, 2017
Small job shops struggling with the budget, programming and space requirements of traditional welding robots now have an alternative solution: The new Collaborative Robot Welding Package developed by ARC Specialties Inc. (Booth B35047; Houston, TX) and Universal Robots USA Inc. (Booth B25094; Ann Arbor, MI) is a cobot-assisted, interactive welding system that can be deployed easily and flexibly in existing manual welding booths, eliminating the need for costly new robotic cells. “We are getting a lot of requests for integrating Universal Robots in welding booths, so we saw this as a unique opportunity to develop an integrated low-cost system for gas metal arc welding (GMAW) applications that no one else in the market is currently offering,” explained John Martin, the vice president of ARC Specialties, a Certified Systems Integrator of UR robots.
The Collaborative Robot Welding Package will be shown for the first time during the show at ARC Specialties’ booth in interactive demos where attendees can simply grab the UR10 robot arm and direct it through desired welding paths, reducing robotic programming from hours to minutes. The welding system integrated with the UR robot is comprised of a Profax wire feeder and water-cooled torch that enables welds up to 600 amps, with torch bracket, all cables and hose packages included. The simplified programming is enabled through direct software integration into Universal Robots’ own programming environment through the Universal Robots+ platform that will allow users to program advanced settings directly on the teach pendant that comes with the UR robot. Settings include features such as wire feed speed and burn back time, gas flow time, and crater fill time with instant feedback on welding volts and amps.
“This UR+ welding package is the perfect system for low volume/high mix fabrication shops, allowing operators to manage robot programs and welding parameters on the fly,” noted Douglas Peterson, the general manager of Universal Robots’ Americas region, who is excited to include ARC Specialties welding package on the UR+ platform and demonstrate the rapidly expanding ecosystem of plug and play products for UR robots.
ARC Specialties Inc., 1730 Stebbins Drive, Houston, TX 77043-2807, 713-631-7575, www.arcspecialties.com.
Universal Robots USA Inc., 5430 Data Court, Suite 300, Ann Arbor, MI 48108-8944, 844-462-6268, www.universal-robots.com.
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