Robotic welding

There are two popular types of industrial welding robots.  The two are articulating robots and rectilinear robots.  Robotics control the movement of a rotating wrist in space.  A description of some of these welding robots are described below:

Rectilinear robots move in line in any of three axes (X, Y, Z).  In addition to linear movement of the robot along axes there is a wrist attached to the robot to allow rotational movement.  This creates a robotic working zone that is box shaped.

Articulating robots employ arms and rotating joints.  These robots move like a human arm with a rotating wrist at the end.  This creates an irregularly shaped robotic working zone.

Electron Beam Welding

Electron Beam Welding (EBW) is a fusion joining process that produces a weld by impinging a beam of high energy electrons to heat the weld joint.


Electrons are elementary atomic particles characterized by a negative charge and an extremely small mass.  Raising electrons to a high energy state by accelerating them to roughly 30 to 70 percent of the speed of light provides the energy to heat the weld. 

An EBW gun functions similarly to a TV picture tube.  The major difference is that a TV picture tube continuously scans the surface of a luminescent screen using a low intensity electron beam to produce a picture.  An EBW gun uses a high intensity electron beam to target a weld joint.  The weld joint converts the electron beam to the heat input required to make a fusion weld.

Resistance Welding

Resistance Spot Welding (RSW), Resistance Seam Welding (RSEW), and Projection Welding (PW) are commonly used resistance welding processes.  Resistance welding uses the application of electric current and mechanical pressure to create a weld between two pieces of metal.  Weld electrodes conduct the electric current to the two pieces of metal as they are forged together.

The welding cycle must first develop sufficient heat to raise a small volume of metal to the molten state.  This metal then cools while under pressure until it has adequate strength to hold the parts together.  The current density and pressure must be sufficient to produce a weld nugget, but not so high as to expel molten metal from the weld zone.

Saw - Submerged Arc Welding

Submerged arc welding (SAW) is a high quality, very high deposition rate welding process.  Submerged arc welding is a high deposition rate welding process commonly used to join plate.

Submerged Arc Welding Benefits

• Extremely high deposition rates possible

• High quality welds

• Easily automated

• Low operator skill required

Common Submerged Arc Welding Concerns

We can help optimize your welding process variables. Evaluate your current welding parameters and techniques.  Help eliminate common welding problems and discontinuities such as those listed below:

Stick welding

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) is frequently referred to as stick or covered electrode welding.  Stick welding is among the most widely used welding processes.

The flux covering the electrode melts during welding.  This forms the gas and slag to shield the arc and molten weld pool.  The slag must be chipped off the weld bead after welding. The flux also provides a method of adding scavengers, deoxidizers, and alloying elements to the weld metal.

Flux Cored Welding

Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) is frequently referred to as flux cored welding.  Flux cored welding is a commonly used high deposition rate welding process that adds the benefits of flux to the welding simplicity of MIG welding.  As in MIG welding wire is continuously fed from a spool.  Flux cored welding is therefore referred to as a semiautomatic welding process.

Self shielding flux cored arc welding wires are available or gas shielded welding wires may be used.  Flux cored welding is generally more forgiving than MIG welding.  Less precleaning may be necessary than MIG welding.  However, the condition of the base metal can affect weld quality. Excessive contamination must be eliminated.

MIG Welding

Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) is frequently referred to as MIG welding.  MIG welding is a commonly used high deposition rate welding process.  Wire is continuously fed from a spool.  MIG welding is therefore referred to as a semiautomatic welding process. 

MIG Welding Benefits

• All position capability
• Higher deposition rates than SMAW
• Less operator skill required
• Long welds can be made without starts and stops
• Minimal post weld cleaning is required