Robotic Welding
Also, the robot should be programmed not to move too fast or abruptly. Aggressive movements can cause the power cable to snap. Make sure that the cable is the appropriate length. A cable that is too short can stretch beyond its capacity during routine robotic movements, leading to greater wear. If the power cable is too long, it may be prone to kinking or becom- ing pinched by the robot’s arm.
Don’t Neglect Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance (PM) programs are among the most effective best practices a company can instill for a robotic welding system. Ideally, PM programs should cover every aspect of the system—from the robot to the contact tip. Proper PM activities can help prevent unscheduled downtime, low- quality parts, costly repairs and/or equipment replacements. Companies will need to assess their PM needs on an individual basis and engage a maintenance team or other personnel to carry out the activi- ties at the appropriate times and intervals. As a general rule, companies that weld thick materials or have applications with long, continuous welds common in welding automation can benefit from more frequent PM activities, as the rework for quality issues can generate much more costly re- work compared to an application producing mul- tiple smaller parts. Several PM activities can occur during routine pauses in production, including: • Cleaning the robot and fixturing to prevent the buildup of dirt, debris or anti-spatter compound, which could affect part fit-up
• Checking for tight consumables connections • Confirming tool center point or TCP • Checking for power cable wear and replacing as needed
Other activities that happen less frequently like greasing the robot’s joints can be completed during a longer scheduled stop.
Proper preventative maintenance activities can help prevent unscheduled downtime, low-quality parts, costly repairs and/or equipment replacements.
Nozzle cleaning stations are among the most significant peripherals to help companies optimize their robotic welding performance. This peripheral helps extend the life of consumables, minimizing the downtime and expense for changeover.
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ManufacturingEngineeringMedia.com | October 2014
Peripherals and Robotic MIG Gun Extras Peripherals are often an overlooked part of the robotic welding system. The added cost of this equipment, which includes nozzle cleaning stations (also called reamers or spatter cleaners), is frequently considered an unnecessary expense. In reality, this equipment can maximize robotic welding performance and help companies gain a better return on investment (ROI) from their robotic welding system.
As its name suggests, a nozzle cleaning station cleans the nozzle of dirt, debris and spatter, typically
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