Workstation (unit)

If the workpiece does not need to be repositioned during the welding process, a fixture can be used to position it on the work surface. This system is the simplest possible. However, in actual production, many workpieces need to be repositioned during welding to ensure the weld seam is in the optimal position (attitude). In this case, the positioner and robot can move independently, with the positioner repositioning before the robot welds. Alternatively, they can move simultaneously, with the positioner repositioning while the robot welds, often referred to as coordinated motion. In this case, the positioner and robot's motion are combined, ensuring that the welding gun's relative motion to the workpiece meets both the weld seam trajectory and the welding speed and attitude requirements. In essence, the positioner's axes become an integral part of the robot, and such a welding robot system can have as many as 7-20 axes, or even more. The latest robot control cabinets can combine two robots for coordinated motion of 12 axes: one is a welding robot, and the other is a handling robot serving as a positioner.

The welding robot workstation can be further subdivided into the following four types:

1.1 The box welding robot workstation is a special equipment developed for box welding in the cabinet industry, which has large production volume and high welding quality and size requirements.

The box welding robot workstation consists of an arc welding robot, a welding power source, a welding gun wire feed mechanism, a rotary double-station positioner, fixtures, and a control system. This workstation is suitable for welding various box-type workpieces. Using a continuous fixture, it can automatically weld multiple types of boxes within the same workstation, ensuring high relative positioning. The use of a double-station positioner allows workpieces to be assembled and disassembled at other stations while welding, greatly improving welding efficiency. The use of MIG pulse transfer or CMT cold metal transfer welding processes significantly reduces heat input during welding, ensuring that the product does not deform after welding. By adjusting the welding specifications and the robot's welding posture, high-quality and aesthetically pleasing welds are ensured. This is especially true for stainless steel gas chambers, which require high sealing properties, ensuring gas leakage after welding. Automatic welding of multiple types of boxes can be achieved by setting the type selection parameters in the control system and replacing the workpiece fixtures.

Using arc welding robots with varying working ranges and positioners of corresponding sizes, the workstation can meet the welding requirements of various types of boxes with weld lengths of approximately 2000mm. Welding speeds range from 3-10mm/s, and different types of gas shielded welding are used depending on the base material of the box. This workstation is also widely used in the power, electrical, machinery, and automotive industries.

1.2 The Stainless Steel Gas Chamber Robotic Flexible Laser Welding Equipment is designed for welding stainless steel box-type workpieces with high deformation and tight sealing requirements. This equipment consists of a robot, laser generator, water cooling unit, laser scanning and tracking system, flexible positioner, fixtures, safety guardrails, dust collection system, and control system. By setting the control system's selection parameters and replacing the fixtures, it can automatically weld a variety of stainless steel gas chamber workpieces.