Streamlining Manufacturing Processes With Welding Automation by nexAir

Despite its futuristic-sounding name, robotic welding has been around since the 1960s when it was first introduced to the General Motors assembly line. Over 60 years later, automated welding has reached new heights. Industry 4.0-enabled tools have allowed welding professionals to unlock even higher levels of speed and efficiency.

As a leading provider of welding supplies, nexAir has been at the forefront of the welding revolution. Our advanced automation tools help organizations across the Southeast benefit from increased productivity, enhanced profits, and lower costs.

What Is Automated Welding?

Automated welding refers to robotic systems that perform various welding tasks. It can be broken down into two categories: fully automatic, and semi-automatic. 

Under the former, a machine is programmed to move the material from beginning to end, requiring no human intervention. Semi-automatic welding systems, on the other hand, require an operator to load and remove the metal once the weld is complete. 

Despite minor differences, both levels of automation offer better welds and enhanced productivity. As a bonus, automated tools help counter the global shortage of welders—a figure that some estimates suggest has crossed 300,000 in the U.S. alone.

The Benefits of Welding Automation

There are multiple benefits to embracing welding automation. Consider the following: 

• Consistent Quality: Automated welding systems deliver high-quality homogenous welds consistently and without breaks.
• Enhanced Efficiency: Robotics systems take over time-consuming, and repetitive processes, allowing humans to focus on creative tasks.
• Lower Costs: Automated systems come at a higher price, but are more cost-effective in the long run. They enable companies to double their output with half the staff.
• Increased Safety: Automated welding tools can take over more dangerous tasks, contributing to worker safety and improving employee retention.
• Lower Carbon Footprint: Automated systems help companies use less material and generate less waste.

nexAir’s Automated Tools 

Since the 1940s, nexAir has been pioneering welding supplies. Our automated tools and extensive KnowHow have helped crucial industries Forge Forward with enhanced efficiency. Here are two examples:

Hercules Welding System

The Hercules High-Deposition Automated Welding System is a game-changer for medium to large manufacturing operations. With the welding system in their arsenal, they can achieve significant productivity gains with very little investment.

The Hercules system offers high-quality welds without the need for extra cells, allowing organizations to save on positioners, barriers, power supplies, and other fixtures. It’s known to deliver deposition rate gains of up to 30% without compromising quality.

Mini Hornet 

The Mini-Hornet is an automated plasma-cutting system. It unlocks new levels of efficiency that manual cutting processes can never match. It leverages 3-D models to generate cutting paths and comes with robotic torch handling, programmable controls, and intuitive software that enables precise cuts at the push of a button.

Improve Efficiency With nexAir

These are only two of several automation tools nexAir offers. Besides the Hercules and the mini-Hornet, we also have an easy-to-install Vectis Cobot tool and a LightWeld handheld laser welder.

For years, our automated positioners, CNC plasma cutters, and laser welding solutions have helped manufacturers Forge Forward into the future. Contact us and let’s solve your toughest welding challenges together.