Cobot Reviews 2022

 Welding Cobots Reviews | Get Your Automation Journey Started in 2022

The year is fast coming to an end, and with all the talk about automation and cobots this year, it's only proper we end the year with a list of cobots to look forward to in the coming year, 2022. We've curated a list of cobots worth your attention should you be interested in automating your process. We'll tell you who makes it, what you get, what kind of programming is needed to control, and its price point. Here are the top five that made it to our list:

• CoWelder from Migatronic
• SnapWeld from Arcspecialities
• Vectis Welding Cobot Tool
• Fab-Pak® Cobot Cart from Lincoln Electric
• Cobot Welder from Hirebotics

What is a welding cobot, and what are its advantages?

Before we proceed to the list of cobots, let's quickly discuss what a cobot is and precisely what is a welding cobot. 

A collaborative robot ( Cobot) is a robotic arm for direct human interaction in a shared space. You can attach end-effectors at the end of each arm depending on how you want to use them. Using the cobot for welding, you can connect a welding torch at the end, transforming it into a cobot. 

There are many advantages to automating your welding process. Some of which are:

• Cobots help augment the welder shortage in your process by allowing the cobot to automate some of your welding processes.
• Cobots help boost productivity because they are not affected by fatigue like humans are. They can work 24 hours if needed.
• Cobots boost your factory's efficiency by utilizing welding materials more efficiently, lowering or eliminating weld rejects.

We will not go through these advantages one by one in this article. However, if you are interested, you can read about this LINK.

 Co Welder From Migratonic, MIG, and TIG Capable

The  CoWelder is a cobot kit by Migratonic, a Denmark-based company. With the equipment, you can choose between a UR5 robot with an 850 mm working radius or a UR10 robot with a 1300 mm working radius. Each cobot can be customized with your choice of the following welding machines: Sigma Select, Pi 350 AC/DC, or Omega 300 Advanced. It also has a system called Intelligent Gas Control technology which prevents overconsumption of gas.

When it comes to programming, each welding machine has a predefined set of configurations for you to choose from. With these use configurations, you can quickly deploy the robot without requiring complex robotic training. You can use the teach pendant with a touch screen if you need to program other weld programs. It has a graphical user interface with templates for more programming. You can also use the free drive button to physically move the robot arm to demonstrate the weld path from start to finish.

This robot is a good choice for welding companies who do MIG or TIG welding with or without cold wire feeding. However, the company doesn't have any dealers in the United States. They have an e-shop where you can order the cowelder if you wish, but you must register first before ordering.

The Snap Weld from Arcspecialties, Basic but Effective

The Snap Weld is a cobot kit from Arcspecialties, a company based out of Texas. The Snap Weld is a UR10 AE3 6-axis robot with a PWC-45-12 MIG welding torch. This cobot can be programmed to weld by 'teaching' the robotic arm the welding waypoints through accessible drive mode. It doesn't have a teach pendant. This cobot is an excellent starter robot for automating your welding process. It's straightforward and doesn't need any complicated programming. 

However, one downside is there is no other way to program the robot other than moving the robot arm through waypoints. 

You can get in touch with them through their customer service support page for prices and information. 

Vectis Welding Cobot Tool, Flexible and Efficient

The Vectis Welding Cobot kit comprises a UR10e robotic arm with several welder options: a standard miller Invision 352, heavy-duty Miller Invision 450 MPa, Lincoln, and other welder options upon request. They are mounted on a movable jig – so you can move the cobot around where it's needed. 

It comes with its intuitive proprietary "Let's Weld Together" software in a standard teach pendant on the robotic jig. It contains a template library with parameters and starting points for standard weld sizes. You can also use its free drive jog to "teach" it welding by moving the robotic arm and teaching it waypoints.

The company allows rent-to-own options, making owning a cobot more affordable. However, this robot is designed to do MIG welding; if your company does TIG welding, this robot might not be a good fit. 

Fab-Pak® Cobot Cart from Lincoln Electric Movable and MIG Steel and Aluminum Focused

The  Fab-Pak Cobot Cart is from Lincoln Electric in Ohio. It comes with a Fanuc CR-7iA Robotic Arm with a Magnum® PRO robotic torch. It's mounted on a movable jig, allowing your welders to move it around your factory floor to wherever it's needed. 

The Fab Pak Cobot uses the standard Fanuc programming through the standard teach pendant attached to the cart. An optional hand guiding system is available for the system.

The Cobot Cart can be a good fit if your company focuses on steel and aluminum welding. However, the way it's programmed needs the person to have some knowledge of robot programming. There is a training available. However, it might take time for your welders to learn how to use it, delaying its deployment. If you are interested in its price, you can fill out its contact form for more information. 

Cobot Welder, App-Based Programming

The Cobot Welder is part of a robotic kit that includes the U10e Universal Robot powered by Beacon technology, and it's part of a system sold by Hirebotics, a company based in Nashville, Tennessee. The robot markets itself as the easiest cobot in the market, only needing an app to program it. Many cobots need to be programmed via their own teach pendant, which still requires some knowledge about robot programming. The cobot welder, with its app, makes it accessible to welders who don't have programming experience. If you can play a video game, you can operate the cobot welder. 

Hirebotics developed its cloud-based software powered by Beacon to run the cobot welder. This software is what puts it apart from its competition. The software provides the user not only robotic control but essential data. These data include real-time alerts on when the robot needs attention, access control, and daily reports to name a few.

The cobot welder is an excellent choice for medium-sized welding companies who want an easily deployable MIG cobot. However, it might not be the best choice if your company does TIG welding. The price for the complete kit starts at $75,000

Conclusion

Whichever cobot package you choose to start your journey to automation will depend a lot on if the cobot fits into your process, your company's automation objectives as well as your budget. However, no matter what cobot package you choose, it will for sure be a good start to automating your process.