Welding Enterprise Zone

ABB + Fronius = Robotic-Welding Solutions

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EST

Industrial-robot manufacturer ABB Robotics and welding-equipment supplier Fronius International have joined forces to collaboratively develop fully equipped robotic-welding systems, and to support new and existing customers with advanced technology. Fronius arc-welding equipment will be featured at all certified ABB Robotics welding-lab locations. Included will be the ArcPack U2 modular entry-level robotic-welding cell, with two fixed stations, ideal for welding of small parts; and a new EthernetIP-integrated communications interface for programming Fronius equipment issuing ABB’s FlexPendant HMI.

Robot Duo Stars in Fabricator’s New Welding Cell

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EST

D&S Manufacturing, a custom manufacturer of large-scale components and assemblies for Caterpillar, Oshkosh Corp. and others, has added a new dual-robot arc-welding cell to its plant in Black River Falls, WI. The cell, developed and integrated by Wolf Robotics, Fort Collins, CO, features two ABB six-axis robots, a pair of Lincoln Electric welding power supplies and a servo-driven twin-station positioner, all controlled by one ABB IRCS MultiMove control. “Load-and-go fixturing eliminates the need to perform manual tack welding prior to loading components into the positioner,” says D&S continuous-improvement manager Joe Lane. To optimize quality and throughput, the cell includes touch sensing and seam tracking capabilities.

Lincoln Electric Acquires Welding-Automation Systems Integrator

Fri, 1 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EST

Tennessee Rand, Inc., Chattanooga, TN, a provider of robotic-welding systems and tooling, has been acquired by Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., Cleveland, OH. Tennessee Rand has annual sales of $35 million.

Resistance-Welding Equipment Techs Take to the Air

Fri, 1 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EST

T. J. Snow Co., Chattanooga, TN, has added a second small airplane to its transportation fleet, to facilitate fast response time for in-plant service calls on resistance-welding equipment. The firm, a supplier of welding equipment and services to Tier 1 and 2 automotive-parts suppliers and other metal fabricators, has five pilots on staff. Its two planes are used to fly service technicians to customer sites throughout the eastern two-thirds of the United States.

The Value of Comfort

Fri, 1 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EST

Select a welding gun that offers optimum comfort and, where required, the ability to complete challenging out-of-position welds. This will minimize straining and reduce the opportunity for fatigue or injury, increasing productivity and, ultimately, the profitability of the welding operation.

The term “ergonomics” has become increasingly common in the workplace as companies strive to improve worker safety and efficiency, whether in the office or on the plant floor. At its most basic level, ergonomics refers to the discipline or science of designing equipment and arranging the work environment for optimal worker comfort and productivity. The goals: minimize fatigue, reduce repetitive motion and decrease overall physical and mental stress.