Robotic Welding Solutions Backed by Experience & Innovation
Robotic welding is the clear answer for production lines that aren’t hitting output goals due to limitations in the manual welding process. Whether you’re battling labor shortages or want to decrease safety risks for operators during complex tasks, robotic welding cells from Melton Machine & Control Company provide an efficient solution.
There is no limit to the number or scope of different parts you can weld with a custom robotic welding cell. Get a one-of-a-kind robot to address even your most intensive welding needs.
How Do Robotic Welding Systems Work?
At Melton, every project we work on is centered around one thing: your unique needs. Like all our automated solutions, our robotic cells can be tailored to whatever automated welding tasks you need to be optimized.
A robotic welding cell from Melton can use custom tooling to precisely position your part, whether it is manually loaded into the fixture or automatically loaded with material handling equipment. Once the part is secured, the robot follows its programmed weld path using the parameters established for the application.
After welding, your part can be manually unloaded or equipped with a fixture-mounted eject mechanism. The completed assembly can also be automatically transferred from the fixture tooling to a staging area. This allows an operator to begin loading parts for the next weld cycle without first removing the previously welded assembly.
These loading, welding, unloading, and transfer decisions all affect cycle time and throughput. Designing them as part of the complete robotic welding system can help remove bottlenecks that would otherwise limit the productivity of the cell.
With a Melton robotic welding robot, the possibilities are nearly endless. Learn more about options for your robotic cells by contacting our knowledgeable team today.
Specialized RoboCell Solutions
Melton has the expertise to provide a wide range of robotic solutions for your welding processes, including:
MIG Welding Robots
MIG welding cells, or metal inert gas welding cells, offer greater control and maneuverability for precise, sensitive welds. Our detailed design-build approach and integration will result in a RoboCell that revolutionizes your MIG welding tasks.
TIG Welding Robots
When working with thin metals, a tungsten inert gas RoboCell, or TIG welding robot, will provide more control than manual alternatives. When you get a custom TIG welding cell from Melton, you can increase your productivity around TIG welding processes.
Get the Support You Need To Build
A Better Welding Cell
General Options on Robotic Machines
While customization is at the core of what we do, we can also equip automated welding cells with technologies that support the safety, process control, part identification, and flexibility required by the application.
Available features for welding cells include:
- Safety features, such as arc shield curtains, area scanners, safety light curtains, and robot-defined safe zones
- Torch oscillation (known as weave) is available for a wider weld on multi-layer parts
- Barcode scanner
- Vision systems
- Adaptive robot path motion
The right combination depends on your parts and welding process. Our automation experts can help you identify the right configuration for your application.
What Should You Consider When Choosing a Robotic Welding Cell?
The right welding cell starts with the manufacturing process, not the robot. Considering the following factors early gives you a clearer understanding of what the automation needs to accomplish before capital is committed to a particular system configuration.
Parts and Product Mix
Consider both what you weld today and what the cell may need to accommodate in the future. If multiple part numbers will run through the same system, tooling, fixture design, programming, and changeover requirements become important parts of the automation strategy.
Throughput and Production Bottlenecks
Cycle time includes more than the time the robot spends welding. Loading, clamping, repositioning, unloading, and transferring parts can all limit output. Evaluating the complete process helps determine where robotic welding automation cells can increase capacity and where supporting automation may be needed to prevent a new bottleneck.
Part Fit-Up and Weld Requirements
Robotic welding depends on repeatable inputs. Part tolerances, joint location, material, weld accessibility, and fit-up can affect how consistently the robot performs its programmed process. Tooling, fixtures, sensing, and other technologies may be incorporated to address the requirements of the application.
Loading and Material Handling
Not every operation needs fully automated loading and unloading. Some welding robot cells work effectively with manual loading, while higher-volume applications may benefit from automated material handling, part transfer, or ejection. The right approach depends on production goals and how operators need to interact with the cell.
Integration and Floor Space
A welding cell also has to work with the rest of your facility. Existing equipment, upstream and downstream processes, utilities, safety requirements, and available floor space should be evaluated before the final cell layout is developed.
Continuous and On-Site Support for Robot Success
One of the biggest issues our customers encounter that keeps them from pursuing automated and robotic machines is finding and retaining a qualified, in-house robot technician to maintain the robot cell. At Melton, we go beyond simple product delivery and help your team throughout the entire process of owning and operating a robotic cell with continuous services such as integration assistance, training programs, and maintenance support.
Does your problem require a hands-on solution? We’ll even send our robot experts directly to your facility to tackle the issue side-by-side with your team.
Say Goodbye to Manual Limitations with Melton
We get it. Turning your production line into an automation process can seem overwhelming. But trust us – we’ve been building robotic cells for welding for more than 55 years and can help you reach a productive solution without disrupting your production.
Robotic welding has many advantages over dedicated welding systems, including:
- Greater flexibility in welding different parts in the same fixture
- Ease of adapting the weld path to new parts
- Setting up safe areas in the machine while the robot is still in motion
With our unparalleled experience and dedication to a customized solution, you can have peace of mind that the robot we deliver will work for you because it was made for you. You can also explore our case studies to see how we’ve approached real manufacturing and automation challenges for real customers.
Schedule your free assessment with our team today to get started.
START A CONVERSATION
You’re only a few clicks away from optimizing your automation capabilities. At Melton Machine & Control Company, a clear channel of communication between our automation experts and your skilled team is a priority.
Fill out our contact form to get the ball rolling on your next custom automation design and integration.
