Welding robots can increase productivity by 85 % and reduce workplace injuries.
According to data from Intrado GlobeNewswire, the global robotic welding market was worth $ 5.5 million in 2018 and is projected to reach $ 10.5 million by 2026 , representing a CAGR of 8.7 % from 2019 to 2026 .
These figures are no accident as the market evolves. In Industry 4.0 , manufacturers will continue to seek ways to improve operations through automation. With no shortage of robotic welding equipment, the massive investments in robotics technology across industries are encouraging further development of automated welding.
Automation is a long-term investment; cost savings are not paid in a lump sum but increase gradually throughout the robot's lifespan.
Improving profitability begins with being able to calculate the return on investment ( ROI ) of automated systems. RobotWorx offers an ROI calculator that allows businesses to calculate the payback period, the time required for an investment to break even. These calculations establish expectations for the profitability of the system, with most companies planning to achieve a return on their investment within 2-3 years.
Once the return on investment is realized, the system can now directly improve a company's profitability through its efficiency, reliability, and quality control. Industrial welding robots are much faster than manual processes. Typically, industry calculations show that, in terms of productivity, an automated welding machine is equivalent to 3.5 manual welding machines. With an automated system, this equates to an 85 % increase in a company's productivity .
This increase becomes even more complex when considering the impact of automation systems on the overall quality of the weld. Robotic systems are faster than manual systems, but they also guarantee weld quality every time, never making mistakes and consistently achieving a smooth, clean result. In a manual workshop, operators may make numerous errors, often choosing to cover them up by simply cleaning them again with a flashlight.
While this single step is incredibly inefficient in terms of time, it also wastes resources and may mask potentially defective welds. Because automated welding systems will produce the correct results on the first attempt, robotic systems save manufacturers resources and money on quality control errors, directly impacting the bottom line of profits.
Another important aspect affecting the profitability and productivity of welding is the time spent on the welding itself.
Studies show that only 30 % to 40 % of the time for manual welding machines is spent on welding itself. Other tasks involved in the welding process, such as handling, cleaning, heating, and cooling, account for almost 60 % to 70 % of the operator's time.
On the other hand, robotic welding systems require minimal downtime for tasks such as cleaning, heating, or cooling. This allows welding robots to spend most of their time in the production phase.
The adoption of welding robots has ensured increased productivity on welding lines. Automation systems can also reduce serious workplace injuries, improve order fulfillment speed and accuracy, and increase uptime at a lower cost.
This technology also improves the efficient use of workspace and enhances supply chain performance in end-user industries, thereby increasing overall profitability and productivity for companies capable of implementing the technology.
