Yesterday we had the honor of hosting Bob Roth the President of the American Welding Society (AWS) and past President JOHN BRAY on a tour of ARC Specialties. It is volunteers like Bob & John that make the American Welding Society work.
Right now is a great time to consider starting a robotics company with the market offering a range of resources such as open-source code, a competent workforce, and more affordable components than ever before.
I’m a long time advocate of narrow gap welding. The advantages are tremendous, but the challenges are too.
From FANUC America:
FANUC America Authorized System Integrator ARC Specialties designs and builds custom manufacturing machinery and automated systems including systems for metal welding and cutting, material handling, pick and place, test equipment and other custom applications. In this robotic system, ARC Specialties utilizes a FANUC M-710iC/20L robot to perform plasma cutting for 40-foot long sections of metal pipe.
First, a full-length pipe moves from a notched workplate to an automated infeed conveyor system. The automated in-feed conveyor indexes the pipe into the headstock cutting area, where the pipe is automatically positioned into place by chuck jaws. The system has five sets of chuck jaws that can be manually changed to accommodate pipes of varying diameter – from 0.75” to 24” in outer diameter. The six axis FANUC M-710iC/20L robot, equipped with a quick tool changer, picks up either an OAC or PAC torch from the quick tool change station. The robot uses touch sensing, as well as laser sensing to locate the nozzle parts and the pipe.
Once the pipe has been located the FANUC robot proceeds to first make a bevel cut. The headstock contains a robotic aux axis motor package and pop-up turning rolls that rotate the pipe in coordinated motion with the robot as it makes the cuts. After the bevel cut, the robot proceeds to plasma cut small and large holes into the pipe. The robot uses FANUC Constant Path, which allows it to maintain the same path regardless of static or dynamic speed override changes.
The system features simple setup – An operator simply inputs the desired cut dimensions into the HMI, presses the Go button, and the robot executes the cut. ARC Specialties’ cutting software generates robot code to execute the desired cuts based on the operator’s input, and the HMI is able to save and store these part programs. Once the FANUC robot is finished cutting, the pipe parts roll onto a gravity-fed pipe rack where they are removed from a notched work plate and finished pipe rack manually.
FANUC America Authorized System Integrator ARC Specialties transform manufacturing processes into high-quality, high-production and high profit operations. To learn more, please visithttp://www.arcspecialties.com.
This Robotic Hardbanding System is an automatic welding machine that is used for applying tungsten carbide to tool joints and pipe. The project was completed in Summer 2016, and is available for purchase from ARC Specialties in Houston, Texas.
Features
Robotic cells built by ARC Specialties may be customized with other robotic applications like TIG or MIG welding, plasma cutting, plasma transfer arc welding, and other manufacturing processes.
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The first 25 companies to sign up for ARC Specialties Lunch and Learn on July 28th, 2016 will receive a complimentary sample packet of these Extended-Life Wire Guides / Contact Tips. To RSVP for the July 28th Lunch and Learn, please email lindsay@arcspecialties.com.
This month, members of the ARC Specialties Technical Services Division programmed a robotic arm with a plasma torch on the end for a timelapse photography project.
Bonnie Harcrow-Hall is Featured on Opportunity Houston Magazine Cover. The Greater Houston Partnership Focuses on Manufacturing in Houston for the Spring 2016 Edition of the Magazine.
