Are robotic welding machines accessible to small shops today? The market has seen significant growth and development over recent years.
by BOSS Editorial | Published: August 21, 2023 | Updated: August 21, 2023 1:55 pm Plasma Hard Facing Machine
Are robotic welding machines accessible to small shops today? The market has seen significant growth and development over recent years. It’s creating valuable opportunities for small shops to use this cutting-edge technology. Here’s how they can benefit.
Welding robots may be considered expensive equipment only attainable for large shops. However, that’s no longer the case today. The market has grown significantly, bringing more development and investment.
Research shows the global robotic welding market will be worth $6.77 billion by 2029. This growth is increasing the number of robotics developers in the industry. As a result, welding robots are becoming less expensive, bringing them within reach for small shops.
Growth in the robotic welding market has a few benefits for small shops. For example, the demand for used machinery will increase as more places buy these robots. This allows smaller operations to purchase used or refurbished machines at a significantly lower cost.
Additionally, more research and development is making it easier for robotics developers to design and manufacture welding robots. The robots will cost less to produce as this process improves, resulting in wider availability of more budget-oriented models well-suited to smaller shops.
Growth in the robotic welding market is increasing the availability of crucial accessories and repair parts. These aftermarket components are vital for ensuring industrial robot longevity.
For example, there is a growing variety of certified welding cables available today that are compatible with robots. This means small shops are less likely to fall back on cheap, low-quality alternatives like standard battery cables. These have much less flexibility and durability than welding cables, making them poorly suited for the job.
Finally, a larger robotic welding market may increase opportunities for small shops to collaborate with small robotics developers. This can be a perfect pairing since these businesses tend to have tough competition with partners and vendors compared to large companies. These shops may be more willing to test a startup’s new welding robot, creating a beneficial deal for both operations.
Why should small shops consider investing in robotic welding machines? Prices are coming down and these robots are becoming more readily available. They also have tangible operational benefits for smaller operations.
The American Welding Society estimates a shortage of at least 375,000 welding professionals as of 2023. Various factors contribute to this growing labor shortfall. For instance, fewer teenagers and young adults are pursuing trade school and careers in the skilled trades.
Competition for the small talent pool in the welding industry often means small shops can’t afford to hire enough welders. This makes it increasingly challenging to compete with larger operations since it limits throughput and growth.
Luckily, robotic welding machines can help. They won’t replace all human workers, but they can automate many welds to reduce strain on small teams. For instance, professional welders can work on detailed, high-skill tasks while a robot autonomously performs simpler, high-quantity jobs.
Adopting a welding robot can benefit everyone in a small shop. It allows welders to focus on more engaging tasks and projects. Automation also reduces the stress understaffed teams often experience while keeping up with high production demands. Finally, robotic welding machines reduce staffing needs so companies can get an edge over larger competitors.
Robotic welding machines are great for improving the quantity of fabricated metal units a small shop can produce. Automation technology will typically result in higher productivity, but these robots bring unique benefits.
For example, robots don’t experience drifting focus or accidents like humans. They can perform the same task for hours without declining performance. Robots are also less likely to make mistakes, resulting in fewer wasted materials due to accidents or incorrect welds.
As a result, small shops can reduce materials costs and create more completed units with less money. A robotic welding machine will also improve overall operational efficiency, which means more completed units in less time.
Small shops need something that makes them stand out from larger ones. They can make a name for themselves by leading industry innovation. Adopting welding robots can show potential customers that a business might be little, but it’s also cutting-edge.
Early adopters of new technologies often reap the most benefits of growth. They also get an edge over competitors by building up knowledge and skills more quickly.
Small shops often have more room for flexibility and creativity than larger competitors. As a result, they may be better positioned to try new technologies, including welding robots.
The innovation doesn’t need to stop there, either. Many new technologies are transforming welding and metal fabrication. For example, metal 3D printing automates virtually every task, from hobbyist printing to aerospace manufacturing. Learning from welding robots can help small shops adopt other emerging technologies.
Robotic welding machines improve workplace safety and draw more professionals to small shops. Welders face significant risks on the job, from burns to illnesses due to toxic gas exposure.
Welding fumes and gases may contain toxins and carcinogens that can cause respiratory illness, kidney damage, lung disease, lung cancer and more. Unfortunately, small shops may be at higher risk of exposure to these risks since welders often have smaller workspaces than larger operations.
Welding robots can improve workplace safety in a few ways. For example, automation boosts efficiency, allowing employees to take breaks and get fresh air. They can also reduce the number of repetitive welds employees need to perform, lowering the risk of physical injury.
Robotic welding machines can take over many high-volume tasks and be isolated in their own sealed-off section of a shop. This means fewer workstations, resulting in less exposure to fumes.
Small shops have much to gain from robotic welding machines, ranging from higher throughput to an improved employee experience. Growth and development in this industry are making the technology much more accessible than in previous years. Adopting it allows smaller operations to gain an invaluable competitive edge and lead industry innovation.
Emily Newton is the Editor-in-Chief of Revolutionized Magazine, an online publication that explores innovations in science and technology.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Many manufacturers already use robotics today, but AI is also worth investing in. How does AI expand the capabilities of robots in manufacturing?
Modern manufacturers operate in a challenging environment that doesn’t always allow immediate procurement of necessary goods. However, some have learned to harness trending technologies to...
By showing how much companies care about the things that matter to key stakeholders, CSR in manufacturing can increase sales and shore up the long-term sustainability of operations.
Smart sensors are advanced devices that do more than just collect data. They also can process information and make decisions based on what they gather.
The potential for 3D-printed medical devices is almost endless. You can use the technology in most stages of production
So don’t be afraid to learn about how metal production is kept sustainable and all of the various benefits that this provides
With key pieces of legislation driving a post-pandemic surge in investment, the U.S. manufacturing boom is real.
As tastes changed, the instruments changed, and Gibson remained at the forefront of innovation even after the founder’s death in 1918.
Industry 5.0 is a response to those that seek to add humanity back into the equation, along with ESG considerations. It seeks to marry automation, data analysis, and IoT innovations with human ingenuity, resilience, and sustainability. It’s about how humans and technology can work together to ensure smart factories keep getting smarter.
Whether decision-makers currently have several 5-axis CNC machines at their facilities or are thinking of purchasing them for the first time, cost-cutting measures for 5-axis CNC machining often become part of their discussions and thought processes.
Are robotic welding machines accessible to small shops today? The market has seen significant growth and development over recent years.
The manufacturing sector is no stranger to automation, but this technology often applies to production line processes. More behind-the-scenes, supporting workflows like boiler operations are easier to overlook but can gain just as much from automation. Here are seven ways automated boiler systems improve efficiency.
Digital Ink 5050 Avenida Encinas Carlsbad California 92008
Arc Welding Unit Copyright 2022 © BOSS Magazine ( a Digital Ink brand ) All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms of Use