Robotic welding systems have been widely used in large scale automated manufacturing facilities, particularly in the automotive industry, for a number of years.  Faced with cost-down pressures from their customers, small metalworking job shops are now starting to consider implementing automation. When the operating costs of robotic welding are compared to manual welding the results are now clearly in favour of the robot. Additional benefits of automating are increased productivity, more consistent welded joints and improved quality.

Cyber-Weld provides a simple cost analysis to potential customers. Using manual welding, the overhead burdened cost is around £35k PA for a single shift, with an average 'Arc On' time of 25%. The average robot 'Arc On' time is 75%, three times that of a manual welder, resulting in an additional 200% production capability.  With an entry level robot and operator costs of £17.5k, the payback time is less than 12 months.

However, potential users do have concerns. How easy are the robots to program? Where do we find trained staff to operate them? How reliable are the robots?

When choosing a partner, reputation should always be the first consideration. A reliable partner must provide advice on which robot to select and be able to provide a full turnkey solution with support from initial inquiry through to installation. Prompt delivery, machine commissioning, employee training, trouble shooting, repair and offering regular system overhauls are other key factors. Look for a company that is a strategic partner for one or more of the leading robot manufacturers.

Cyber-Weld regularly uses igus as a supplier and partner for cable assemblies on their robotic welding machines. The highly flexible igus readycable drive cables provide power and signals to the robotic head, grippers or other attachments and are usually mounted externally to the robotic arm. Particularly on a 6-axis robot, this cable is subject to a great deal of rigorous movement, which can lead to premature failure if incorrectly specified.

Mike Jones, general manager, of Cyber-Weld, comments: “We expect the cables to outlive the mission time of the installed robotic system, which is approximately 10 to 15 years. igus is always helpful and is happy to come onsite to look at our requirements, which is a big plus factor for us.  A local supplier with a good reputation, igus also helps us shorten our lead-times.”

The readycable assembled drive cables series has bending radius from 7.5 x od.  Harnessed cables are tested in igus e-chain cable carriers through many millions of cycles. There is a choice of servo cables, signal cables and feeder cables with a total of seven cable quality levels for the same electrical requirement, offering an affordable and durable solution for all applications. The readycable assembled drive cables also have a number of certifications and regulatory conformities including UL, CSA, CE Desina. These reliable cables are designed for high stress applications and are also available with flame and oil resistance. 

I believe it is no contradiction to say that good cables cost less. Fast delivery throughout the world is a significant purchase criterion, and igus can provide that with a presence and stock in more than 40 countries. This saves time, money, part storage capacity and is applicable to 1040 igus cable types, which can be ordered without any minimum quantity purchases or surcharges.

In the igus test facility in Cologne, numerous parallel tests are conducted under severe conditions. Currently more than 2 billion double strokes and 1.4 million electrical tests are carried out per year, with the test results stored in an extensive data-base, providing precise and reliable data about actual service life. The test data for e-chains, cables, and also for ready-assembled systems, are so extensive that igus has secured a functional guarantee for its variety of e-chain systems based on the particular application.

The igus reputation appreciated by Cyber-Weld comes from this extensive testing and more than 25-years of industry experience in continuous-flex cable.