ABIBLOG: ABICOR BINZEL's Welding Blog

EWR 2 gas management system for welding: saves gas right from the start!

What makes a company a Green Factory? Everything that has to do with sustainability. Using renewable raw materials, grow organically, use of solar energy, save CO₂ ... these are all approaches that can make our world a little better. One or the other can also be implemented in welding technology and fortunately it is becoming increasingly important for companies to do something to protect our environment. The trend is towards becoming a so-called Green Factory. ABICOR BINZEL can support you or your company on the way to the Green Factory. Or expand your status as a Green Factory.

When it comes to your robotic welding torch, the swanneck (sometimes known as the gooseneck or torch neck) is one of your most critical parts. What is a swanneck? It is the front end or “working end” of a robotic welding torch, where the contact tip and gas nozzle are mounted to deliver the electrical current, filler wire, and shielding gas into the weld joint.

Robotic MIG welding requires a choice when it comes to which welding torch to use for your operation. Your facility will need to weigh the options for using a water-cooled or air-cooled welding torch based on research you have done regarding both. Each torch type has its benefits and downfalls that can alter productivity. Is your torch providing the amperage ratings and duty cycle you’re looking for while staying within your budget? These factors are essential to consider, along with understanding common problems you will run into with your new equipment.

When welding metals, there are a number of emissions which, on the one hand, cause the legally prescribed MAK values (“maximale Arbeitsplatz-Konzentration”: maximum workplace concentration) to rise above the permissible threshold value and, due to toxic and / or disease-causing ingredients, represent a health risk for the personnel in the processing area. This fact obliges companies in the welding industry in particular to ensure effective air filtering and ventilation in the areas concerned. Because not only the welder himself is affected by the harmful emissions, but also the rest of the staff in the production hall, who are exposed to the welding fumes.

In addition to a large number of stationary fume extraction systems, the torch-integrated fume extraction (fume extraction torches) is one of the most effective and mobile methods that can be used. Welding with fume extraction torches is definitely a challenge when it comes to the handling.

So how can you weld correctly with fume extraction torches? What do you need to pay attention to?

The welding robot has been programmed for hours. The straight paths work perfectly, when welding a curve everything is wrong back and forth – what happened? The industrial robot is synchronized, the component is fastened and the weld seam is still set incorrectly – where is the mistake? On the first day, tens of components were perfectly welded, the next day the seam was displaced – how could that happen?

When looking at automotive weld inspections and the applications they can be used in, the realm of possibilities are wide open. From MIG and MAG to laser brazing and welding, all of these applications (1) require inspection to ensure they meet process specifications and (2) are often suitable for automation. This is becoming more and more important as companies are realizing that when you have welds on critical automotive parts, especially very expensive parts, you cannot afford to take a nonchalant approach to executing this critical task. 

Wire feeding is a critical part to your automated welding process. Without functioning wire, this multi-layered, complex process would not deliver optimal performance. This could lead to complete failure of your process. Challenges can arise due to wire feed speed, wire feed distance, and friction within the system causing a host of problems throughout your process. As you continue to understand your robotic welding cell, it is important to evaluate your wire feed practices.

Purchasing a fume extraction unit is the first step in the right direction. To protect the welder and other endangered persons from the dangers of welding fumes for as long as possible, there are a few things to consider, especially when it comes to the fume filters. The fume filter ensures that the hazardous gases in the welding fumes are filtered out and that the working environment is safe for everyone. How exactly does that work?

Making the switch from manual to automated welding can be an on-going pros and cons discussion for your facility. Giving control to a robot may be a daunting task for anyone new to this application process, but is a necessary step in getting the most out of your operation. Decreasing production times and taking the load off of your welders may be all you need to go full automation.

Let’s take a look at what it would take for your facility to incorporate automated technology and what you should be taking note of throughout this integration process.

Why shielding gas offers a huge savings potential

The valve is opened and there it is: the shielding gas for welding. Depending on the requirements of the welding task, the gas pressure and gas quantity are still set with the manometer before starting. Pre-flow time? Rather a little longer. Better safe, than sorry. The same applies to the post-flow time. Whether this lasts a few seconds longer or not does not seem to make much difference. Or maybe it does? The fact is: the shielding gas consumption is usually much too high. With the gas management system EWR 2 you can save money in gas shielded arc welding.