Robotics and the Future of Welding Robots
Overview
The acceleration of technology has brought a dramatic impact on the robotic welding industry. Over 50% of today's industrial robots are deployed in the field of welding underscoring the critical role they play in the industry. Enhanced efficiency, accuracy and safety protocols have inspired an increased adoption, with robot sales expected to hit 630,000 units annually by 2021, predominantly in the Asia-Pacific region which accounts for about 65% of the supply. Let's explore the world of welding robots and envision the future guided by cutting-edge technologies like 3Laws Robotics.
The Evolution of Welding Robots
In the 1960s, the invention of the Unimate, the first industrial robot, set forth the era of automated welding. Today, over 50% of industrial robots in use are dedicated to welding operations. These robots significantly reduce human exposure to harsh and hazardous welding environments and maintain consistency and quality in the final products. Further advancements in robotics, such as the integration of sensors, have enhanced the robot's ability to adjust welding parameters in real-time, optimizing productivity and quality.
The Future of Welding Robots
The future of welding robots is shining brightly. Market research predicts that global sales of industrial robots will reach 630,000 units annually by 2021, exploring also an increased use of collaborative robots or "cobots". These cobots are designed to interact and work safely alongside humans, setting the stage for a new era of human-machine collaboration in the welding industry. The future also hinges on the development of more intelligent and adaptable robots equipped with machine learning algorithms to improve their performance and capabilities over time.
Market Trends in Robotic Welding
Regionally, Asia-Pacific is the largest market for welding robots, accounting for about 65% of the total supply. This growth is driven by high demand from the automotive and electrical/electronics industries. Additionally, with improved Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, predictions indicate an increased use of cloud-based robots that can access data remotely, perform tasks, and send information back to the cloud. While creating numerous possibilities, this also raises concerns about data security and protection, making it a burning issue for the future.
Key Takeaways
- Over 50% of today's industrial robots are in welding, making it a crucial field for robotic applications.
- The sales of industrial robots will reach 630,000 units annually by 2021, showing a significant growth trajectory.
- Asia-Pacific accounts for about 65% of the supply, being the largest market for welding robots.
- The increasing use of cloud-based robots and cobots will impact the welding industry's future.
3Laws Robotics is developing innovative software to enhance safety and reliability for robotic systems. Key focuses include addressing the certification challenge—an issue affecting robotics companies—and providing a robust safety feature. This software has demonstrated its efficacy accruing a 40% efficiency gain for an autonomous forklift customer. Moreover, the software enables safe human-robot interaction and can navigate effectively in unpredictable environments, thus minimizing downtime caused by unnecessary e-stops or collisions. Designed on Control Barrier Functions (CBFs) from Caltech, 3Laws Supervisor offers mathematically provable safety, compatibility with popular robotics middleware such as ROS and ROS2, and an adaptable design for varied platforms. This positions 3Laws as a next generation safety solution, going beyond traditional methods to offer proactive and predictive safety that qualifies for ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262 certification, unlocking the full potential of robotics.