Robots take on welding load

Image
Media Name: yaskawa-_motoman_arcworld_1.jpg

A robot welding cell at Burnley subcontractor Sparta provides the capacity of six welders, consistent quality and reduced second operations.

Burnley based Sparta Ltd specialises in laser cutting, CNC machining, investment and die castings, metal fabrications, rubber mouldings and forgings.

Due to an increasing workload on its welding department Sparta decided to explore the benefits of robotic welding systems.

Following extensive research into what robotic systems were available and how these could best match their needs, Sparta chose a Yaskawa Motoman Arc World V2.

Based on the Motoman MA series, this 6-axis robot is designed specifically to meet the demands of welding applications. With its superior wire feed system, internally routed cables and working envelopes ranging from 1,440mm to 2,010mm, the MA-Series robot significantly improved welding quality.

Sparta felt that the Motoman ArcWorld V2 provided it with the distinct advantage of a very compact, self-contained system which would best meet their welding requirements. Steve Davenport, Managing Director commented: “It was like buying any machine tool, you pick the size of machine you need, the location to place it and away you go”.

This was the first of two Motoman Robot cells subsequently delivered to.

Steve added, “The first machine had a pair of dowelled tables added to it to allow for quick set-up and changes of jigs which has now reduced set-up time to as little as 30 minutes, floor-to-floor time. Production is now on average over 300% quicker than conventional (manual) welding.”

Investing in the second Motoman machine was an easier decision as a result of Sparta realising the benefits of the first installation.

Steve confirmed: “So much production work has been absorbed into the initial Motoman system that the second purchase is giving us a production capacity equivalent to 6 welders. This is all with the ability to never miss a weld, produce the same quality of weld at the end of the shift, as at the start, also the reduced spatter meant improved capacity for fettling”. He confirmed, “We are delighted with our decision to invest in robotic welding and we are looking forward to purchasing another Yaskawa Motoman unit later this year”.

https://www.yaskawa.co.uk/

http://www.sparta.co.uk/

BACK TO ENGINEERING CAPACITY NEWS PAGE