SUPPLIER FOCUS


sustainability requirements, protecting welders’ health and the acute shortage of skilled workers. The theme of digitalisation in welding technology was also reflected in the design and layout of our 400 m2 stand with suspended LED cubes and LED strips on the floor to symbolise the growth and increasing importance of networking as part of Welding 4.0,” recalls Frank Bartels, CTO, EWM GmbH. Among the stand’s TIG welding


highlights was a new 19-pole, foot- operated remote control (RTF-X TIG) that allows users to regulate the current while welding (root or positional welding). A compact, powerful inverter welding machine, the new 10 kg Picotig 220 puls DC with robust, lightweight design, was also showcased on the stand. Users can achieve welding currents of 220 A with 40% duty cycle for TIG welding and currents of 190 A with 35% duty cycle for MMA welding. This is a significant increase in performance in comparison to the previous model. “We are continuously improving our


existing welding products, such as the new Picotig 220, and processes such as the coldArc XQ plus process offering faster travel speeds while maintaining stability of the arc. Xnet 2.2, our Industry 4.0 welding management system, is continuously being updated for companies who wish to record, maintain and manage their quality processes. We will also be launching more power source variants, manual machines,


process variants and robot torches over the next few months,” states Alan Cauchi, Managing Director of EWM UK. Automation solutions on display in


Essen included XQbot cobot welding cells with integrated CRX robot from Fanuc as an entry-level solution for the production of small and very small batches. Complete modular systems for automation based on standard components, which are individually configurable, are also available to EWM customers. The company also presented a robotic solution for the forceTig welding process at the exhibition. This joining process enables higher energy density in the weld pool by using an extremely concentrated welding arc for high welding speeds. An eye on growth “We now have a new


shareholder and strategic partner, Armira, that has introduced Board Members with innovative ideas and expertise. As a group, we expect to grow over the next five years, mainly in areas such as automation, and to increase our sales by at least 10% per year. This includes increasing our presence worldwide,” Frank Bartels highlights to us. This sentiment was echoed by Alan


Cauchi who confirmed that, despite restricted turnover in parts of the world such as Asia and China, the EWM group has managed to maintain growth at 10% year-on-year. “In China, we are back on track again.


We are also trying to expand our business in Europe beyond western Europe and into other markets. In the UK, we have exceeded our previous year’s turnover targets over the past two years. We reached a new record in 2022 with the highest turnover we have ever achieved in the UK. That was despite the changes that we had to make because of Brexit and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he says. Both Frank Bartels and Alan


Cauchi agree that the mood in global markets is currently ‘cautiously positive’. “Although uncertainly has affected market investment levels, we are still seeing large investments and big orders in training this year. There are still some Government subsidies available. We have seen a lot more investment in training over the past two to three years, and in certain industry sectors, such as defence. More companies are also looking for partnerships to bring more expertise to the table,” both confirm. EWM is also expanding its worldwide


presence with new subsidiaries in countries such as France, with others


www.awd.org.uk WeldingWorld1 / 29


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