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 use cobots as a gateway to automation, starting with the fact that it leverages and multiplies the skills of your existing talent to create employee buy-in from the start. I will then lay out a roadmap that encompasses the following: capital expense justification with ROI examples, how to select the right applications for a quick win, assembling the correct team, creating a good training and maintenance program for long-term success, and discussing current advances in cobot technology (including vision systems, sensors and cobot cells). With a foundation for success, I will conclude with examples to show when to move from cobots to standard automation.
Automation/Robotics Track Sponsored By:
