Why cobot welding can be interesting

The lack of well-trained welders in the labor market already made many companies turn to automation. For smaller SMEs, investing in a robot is often a bridge too far. But did you know that you can also get welding done with a cobot? They are on average 25% cheaper than their "big brother" and, above all, make programming a lot easier. ABICOR BINZEL combines its welding equipment with Universal Robots' cobot technology for an inherently safe and extremely user-friendly welding solution. The ROBiPAK is ideal for small series and frequently changing welding applications.

Around the world, the welding industry welcomes cobots with open arms. After all, they are ideal for robot-supported work in "high mix, low volume" production. In Belgium, things are not so roaring yet. According to director of BINZEL Benelux Jan Laerte, the biggest barrier for the time being is the investment cost. "The interest is great, but the financial water still seems too deep for many. And this is not so much due to the welding accessories, but to the fact that there is a price tag attached to the cobot itself. However, there are a lot of advantages that give the investment a favorable return on investment." These are mainly in the ease of use, which clearly differentiates the cobot from the classic robot. It fills the gap for companies with many changing applications or products. And where there is no time to write and load a new program each time. "The average welder will be able to work with it extremely quickly, without having to undergo intensive training. So there is no need to find a separate and expensive programmer to take on that task. In addition, Abicor Binzel provides the necessary tools, such as integrated welding programming, so welders can start using it right away."

The ROBiPAK is a UR+ certified solution for MIG/MAG welding with Universal Robots' cobots.

Plug-and-Weld: perfect symbiosis of welding equipment and cobot technology

The ROBiPAK is a UR+ certified solution for MIG/MAG welding with Universal Robots' cobots. A system solution from ABICOR BINZEL that is "ready-to-weld. Indeed, it is designed in such a way that installation on your cobot can be achieved quickly. All components such as the powerful, flexible hose packages or the iROB power source, are adapted to the characteristics of Universal Robots' robots and guarantee full freedom of movement and perfect welds. Profinet communication between the robot and ABICOR BINZEL's iROB power source in the ROBiPAK is via a specially developed control module. Thanks to stable communication between the two devices, supplemented by a proprietary URCap development, you can easily create programs for welding with the UR Cobot. The "Start Welding" or "Stop Welding" commands, as well as the "Set Welding Parameters" function help you to program quickly. Thanks to the high TCP stability, you program the component only once. No frequent adjustment of waypoints is required. In addition, the xFUME ROBO extraction kit provides compact and efficient fume extraction.

Inherently safe solution

A major concern with cobot welding is safety. A cobot may be inherently safe, but that does not make the application safe. And welding does involve the necessary risks due to spatter, UV light, protruding wire ... Product manager Jean-Paul Depessemier: "That's why an integrated control that can influence all welding parameters is the only safe option. After all, if the cobot stops because it may represent a danger, you have to be sure that the welding torch is also no longer burning. This can only be done by working in an integrated way. It is the only way to be able to get CE marking for your application after going through a risk analysis. And that is what Abicor Binzel can deliver with its ROBiPAK."