MWES
Arc Welding
Midwest Engineered Systems offers custom turnkey automated robotic arc welding systems for a variety of capability ranges depending on your metal fabrication needs. Our automated arc welding systems are focused on providing more consistent cycle times, faster production times and reduced costs in terms of safety, training and labor.
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Midwest Engineered Systems designs, builds and implements custom robotic arc welding systems to make your production system optimized for fast and efficient output. Automated arc welding systems are used increasingly in manufacturing systems due to their more consistent cycle times, and faster production times. It can also reduce costs in terms of safety, training and labor. From start to finish, our technical expertise can fully integrate your system into an automated welding solution. Our unique experience allows our multi-disciplined technical staff to design and build a system for your entire process.
Arc Welding in Automated Manufacturing Systems
Arc welding with a robot is one type of welding that is controlled and carried out using robotic equipment and software. There are many differences in procedures for robotic arc welding when compared to manual arc welding. A common feature of automatic arc welds is notably high and consistent duty cycles. These long cycles mean the welding equipment must be manufactured in a way that can withstand and operate under these conditions. The automatic arc weld equipment and the components used in the manufacturing process must possess the necessary properties and control mechanisms to interface properly with the main control system.
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A certain type of electrical power is necessary for arc weld operations. The welding machine, or power source, is integrated with a torch or gun used in arc weld processes. This gun or torch transfers welding currents from a welding cable to the appropriate electrode. These machines also safely shield the weld area from the surrounding environment.
How Arc Welds are Automated
In robotic arc weld processes, a workpiece is loaded by a customized machine or a series of such machines. On a complex part, one or more welding positioners may be placed on areas of an indexing mechanism that will be used before the weld is completed.
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The control of these automated positioner systems can be integrated into robotic arc weld systems. After processing the weld action, the welding machine may also evaluate the quality of the joint before finally unloading the finished welded piece. Some manufacturing processes may have quality checks for "part in place" and final product stages built into the machine. Some of the complexities involved in automated arc welds may require a machine operator to fully handle.
Equipment Required
An arc welding cell combined with robotic automation will typically have the following components:
• An arc welding robot
• Welding torch mounted on the positioning system
• Workpiece positioner/positioners
• Torch cleaner
• Power source
• Tool Center Point (TCP) calibration unit
• Welding fixtures, Automated or Manual
Advantages for Automatic Arc Welds
Some advantages of using automated arc welds include:
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• Materials are easy to transport and move in this process
• Spatter protection and shielding gas are generally not required
• Automated arc weld equipment is affordable and reasonably priced
•Arc welding can work with dirty metals