Welding is an essential part of the economy as several industries depend on the process. At the same time, the country is facing a massive lack of skilled welders, with a shortage of 400,000 workers expected by 2024.

Automation is one of the best ways to deal with this deficit. While a robotic welding system may sound like something out of the future, it’s actually been in use since the 1960s. This technology has helped automate several industries, from construction to fabrication. Clearly, automation has several benefits to offer.

Let’s look at some of the major ones.

Consistency and Quality

Once set up, a fully-automated welding system can be programmed to carry out repetitive tasks in an extremely precise manner. While human production has its own charm, robotic welding systems deliver high-quality products consistently and free of error, helping boost a facility’s efficiency.

Higher Productivity

Unlike a manual workforce, an automated system can be tasked with completing projects around the clock, including on weekends, thereby reducing assembly times. An automated system works at a steady speed, requires little to no human intervention, and allows companies to Forge Forward while enabling mass production.

Decreased Workload 

By taking over repetitive and mundane processes that a manual workforce is usually responsible for, an automated system can free up employees for more creative assignments. This aids employee satisfaction and retention. Hence, an automated system can help an organization use its time wisely and allocate resources more efficiently.

Reduced Cost 

An automated system can take on the workload of a number of employees. This not only helps organizations cut down on labor costs and recruitment, but it also helps them save on energy and inventory bills. Benefiting from less material waste and more streamlined operations enables a company to use surplus budgets for innovation and productivity.

Improved Safety

Welding can be a dangerous profession. Welders are required to work in spaces with toxic fumes and highly flammable materials. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that over 560,000 workers are injured every year in welding accidents. An automated system can take over more dangerous tasks and reduce injuries. Thus, it allows an organization to focus on productivity without placing its employees at risk. 

Reduced Carbon Footprint

A robotic welding system produces much less waste and makes full use of all materials. For instance, automation can be used to greatly reduce spattering while helping save time and effort on cleaning welds. This allows an organization to not only be more efficient but operate with more environmentally friendly processes.

Automate Your Welding Processes with nexAir

While robotic welding systems offer a number of benefits to organizations, installing these systems requires a certain level of KnowHow. nexAir, a leading supplier of industrial gases and welding supplies across the Southeast, understands this all too well.

With over 80 years of experience helping companies Forge Forward, nexAir automated welding systems are ideal for several industrial applications. Apart from offering you support during set up with our KnowHow, nexAir is known for unmatched service and support.