ABIBLOG: ABICOR BINZEL's Welding Blog

ABICOR BINZEL North America is excited to announce the launch of their latest solution; the FreedomDrive™ push-pull system!   

Robotic MIG welding requires a choice between which type of welding torch to use in your operation. The option between water-cooled and air-cooled torches requires weighing the pros and cons because making your decision. Each torch has its benefits and downfalls that can alter the productivity of your operation.

Is automated TIG welding economically viable?

When automating a TIG application, the first question to ask is the same as for any other automation: Is it profitable to use a robotic welding torch or a robotic welding cell?

When considering the needs of your robotic welding set up, there are far more components to worry about than just the torch. Cables are an often-overlooked part of your setup, but can make a world of difference in efficiency and productivity.

Your cable decision stems from a full understanding of your robotic welding process. In this blog, we will break down the necessary steps you should take as you consider different robotic MIG torch cables.

When you think of the dangers of welding, the usual suspects immediately come to mind: In addition to obvious things like harmful UV radiation during arc welding, sparks and welding spatter, or even hazards from electrical current, there are also the invisible dangers of welding, for example, by inhaling harmful welding fumes.

There are multiple ways to protect the welder from all these hazards: Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when welding is considered a matter of course and protects the skin and, above all, the eyes from radiation and injuries caused by welding spatter and flying sparks. Fume extraction torches, ventilated welding helmets or fume extraction systems can filter toxic welding fumes from the air and thus protect the welder's respiratory organs.

But how can welders protect themselves in the long term against damage to their musculoskeletal system? What helps against permanently tense muscles, signs of fatigue and back pain?

An often underestimated aspect of welding is the welding torch itself!

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?