Fabricating Manufacturing’s Next Chapter

At FABTECH 2024, held in October for the premiere expo in Orlando, Fla., the evolving role of automation in the manufacturing industry was on full display with new or upgraded cobots, industrial robots and autonomous systems, such as AMRs. It was hard to miss cobots or robots, whether they were part of a bending system or welding cell, or as part of a material handling system, among other processes. Automation technologies continue to evolve and support manufacturing productivity as well as address workforce shortages for shops involved in metal forming, fabricating, welding, finishing, metal cutting and more. The advancements, made with invaluable input from manufacturers, ensure flexibility, efficiency, and the production and on time delivery of precise products.

This issue’s cover story explores “Welding Technology: Robotics, Automation and Cobots.” What started as an ideal solution for high-mix, low-volume work, the use of cobots has evolved to major shifts such as supporting the acceleration in the adoption of laser welding; portability — bringing the cobot to the work such as welding three-story construction equipment and in shipbuilding, and; the addition of coordinated motion to significantly optimize cycle times and follow precise toolpaths.

Thermal Management Company Increases Capacity by 3X

Cobot and robot manufacturers, integrators, and welding equipment manufacturers continue to improve on these technologies to overcome the ongoing skilled welder shortage — 82,500 welding jobs need to be filled annually between now and 2028. An example of partners coming together to support cobot welding production is an effort between Modine Manufacturing Co.’s Jefferson City, Mo. facility, and Flextur, which is based in Dalton, Ohio.

Modine Manufacturing has increased its capacity by three times at its Jefferson City plant via the utilization of cobots, which offers an ergonomic friendly process that takes less of a toll on operators and saves precious floor space in the facility. “It has definitely impacted us with the savings of $700,000 or more in labor,” said Modine’s Jefferson City plant manager, Chris Crowe, regarding the investment in cobots and how it has impacted the company, both regarding current business and the influx of new business.

Crowe commented at the “Flextur Cobot Welding Summit,” held in Jefferson City in September. The event highlighted why Modine Manufacturing, a global thermal management company, continues to experience success utilizing cobots in its welding operations. Flextur, a U.S. manufacturer of welding and work cell products, including cobot welding systems, worked with Modine Manufacturing to successfully deploy cobot welding cells. For example, Flextur’s Cobot Welding System is equipped with quick-change fixture plates and has proven to boost productivity by more than 300%. Flextur’s team assisted Modine Manufacturing to effectively put three cobots to work, which a year earlier had been sitting in a corner in the facility. Together, the partners created accurate, repeatable and productive welding cells.

Crowe said the welding cobots have instilled faith in the sales team at Modine Manufacturing. “They can go out and sell more,” he said. “We showed the results — they can see it’s there. New business opportunities are on the way already. It sets us apart from our competition.”

www.flextur.com