And that is how Vattholma Mekano finally found a new employee with welding skills: The UR10e collaborative robot from Universal Robots. By using the SmoothTool welding package attachment, which is mounted on the end of the cobot arm, the robot can handle the welding hose package that is already available at the workshop, regardless of the power source or welding method, MIG or TIG. Vattholma Mekano uses MIG welding with different types of welding wire, ranging from tube wire to metal powder filled, usually on 60 to 70 millimeter thick materials.

A typical task for the robot at Vattholma Mekano is to change the bucket steel and weld tooth holders on large buckets of construction machines. This involves welding work that takes two to three working days, with the cobot being positioned in the bucket and held in place by a magnetic foot. The cobot is also used to produce brackets for Vattholma Mekano’s own product – made-to-measure steps based on customer requirements. The company is able to use the cobot for this type of single-item production for two reasons. The first reason is the cobot’s good maneuverability. “As we work with numerous large and very heavy objects, we need a robot that is mobile. It’s easier to move the cobot than it is to move a bucket,” says Sven-Ingvar Björck.

Once the cobot has started welding, the employee can focus on doing more advanced welding tasks that need to be handled by a human. The cobot provides better and more consistent results for repetitive welding tasks, and gives rise to several benefits for the business. “We get a better working environment with a calmer working tempo and less stress, as the welder does not have to sit for hours with the welding gas and heat, while at the same time profitability increases. It is estimated that we save 20 to 30 percent of our working time. So we can now handle more tasks and more complex welding assignments without having to hire more welders,” says Björck.