Robots + New-Collar Workers

The manufacturing labor shortage is not news—it has plagued the industry for years, including the welding sector. In fact, the American Welding Society predicts that the welding labor shortage will reach a deficit of 400,000 workers by 2024.

Automation can help power many common welding processes, including gas metal arc welding (shown here), submerged arc welding and laser beam welding. In addition, industrial robots thrive in difficult manufacturing environments, including those with extremely high temperatures.

The average age of U.S. welders is 55, and those under the age of 35 comprise less than 20 percent of the U.S. welder population. While many manufacturers have increased their efforts to recruit younger workers, automation solutions such as robotics can help alleviate the strain on an aging and scant workforce. And, equally as important: Automation can help manufacturers attract new talent.

Beyond the labor shortage, a recent increase in welding demand has fatigued the industry. New construction, transportation and infrastructure projects, climate-disaster-related rebuilds, onshoring and new natural-gas pipelines all have contributed to this increased strain. Finding enough new talent to meet these demands, while the current workforce ages, simply isn’t feasible.

The only viable solution: Increase welding productivity.

Robotics Closing the Divide

Thanks to advances in technology, robotic welding solutions—once only affordable to manufacturers with large capital-expenditure budgets such as automotive manufacturers and the Department of Defense—have become more cost-effective and easier to use. As one of the most versatile and demanding manufacturing trades, the metalworking industry is a particularly good candidate for robot-based automation solutions, providing precision and performance.

Automation can help power many common welding process, including gas metal arc welding (GMAW), submerged arc welding (SAW) and laser beam welding (LBW). In addition, industrial robots thrive in difficult manufacturing environments, including those with extremely high temperatures.

Job Enhancement, Not Replacement

While robotics certainly can help alleviate the manufacturing labor shortage, automation complements the work of welders, rather than replacing them. According to technology research and advisory firm Technavio, the global metal fabrication robotics market is growing at a CAGR of around 19 percent, with the market expected to exceed 74,000 unit shipments by next year. Robots also can relieve welders of the fatigue and injuries common in physically demanding applications.