A Path to Automation – Manual, Mechanized, Cobot, Robot
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Basic
The fabrication industry is facing a critical shortage of skilled welders. Companies know they need to automate, but moving directly from hand-held GMAW to traditional automation solutions often poses too much complexity and results in paralysis by analysis.
This presentation explores how companies can begin their automation journey with easy to use mechanized tractors, progress to cobots and then, if necessary, move to full robotic automation.
Simple automation leverages and multiplies the skills of your existing talent to create employee buy-in from the start. I will lay out a roadmap that encompasses the following: capital expense justification with ROI examples, how to select the right applications for quick wins, assemble the correct team, create a good training and maintenance program for long-term success, and discuss current advances in automation technology. With a foundation for success, I will conclude with examples for when to move from mechanized, to cobots to robotics.
