ABB’s VirtualArc robot welding simulation software teaches robots without waste
19 August 2009
ABB says its VirtualArc robot welding simulation software allows welding robots to achieve precise, clean, mass-produced welds.
Human welders draw on experience, intuition and trial-and-error to establish the right parameters for a welding job. Transferring this skill to robots can be complex.
While robots speed productivity, and provide accurate repeatability of tasks, they can only get the welding right if they have been programmed correctly.
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“Teaching” a robot to perform a arc-weld, means providing it with the knowledge that comes from many years of human experience and the intuition that enables it to choose the appropriate process for a new task.
Traditionally, experienced welder set up the welding parameters on robots by performing a series of test welds and adjusting parameters to hone the result. This approach uses up materials, manpower and energy.
ABB says its VirtualArc software features on-screen optimization of welding parameters, avoiding real-life trial and error, saving welding materials and energy. It can define the exact parameters then test them virtually, without actually carrying out any welds.
The software uses a sophisticated simulator that incorporates information on the equipment available, such as the welding device and the power supply, and application data, such as the materials to be used, the plate thickness, and the required joint configuration.
Depending on the results of the virtual test, the operator can adjust parameters such as weld speed, torch angle etc. and optimize for maximum productivity and minimum energy use, while maintaining the required quality of the weld and allowing the plant’s robots to continue with their work on other applications.
ROBOTS ARE TAKING OVER THE WORLD!!!
Ok, not the whole world – just the job parts…
ABB’s VirtualArc robot welding simulation software teaches robots without waste
19 August 2009
ABB says its VirtualArc robot welding simulation software allows welding robots to achieve precise, clean, mass-produced welds.
Human welders draw on experience, intuition and trial-and-error to establish the right parameters for a welding job. Transferring this skill to robots can be complex.
While robots speed productivity, and provide accurate repeatability of tasks, they can only get the welding right if they have been programmed correctly.
“Teaching” a robot to perform a arc-weld, means providing it with the knowledge that comes from many years of human experience and the intuition that enables it to choose the appropriate process for a new task.
Traditionally, experienced welder set up the welding parameters on robots by performing a series of test welds and adjusting parameters to hone the result. This approach uses up materials, manpower and energy.
Opportunities for manufacturers abound as economy improves suggests a poll by sponsors of the Fabtech International & AWS Welding Show, including Metalform, in Chicago. Sponsors are American Welding Society (AWS), Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Int’l (FMA), Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), and Precision Metalforming Association (PMA).
– Manufacturing Business Technology, 9/8/2009 8:02:43 PM MDT
To survive what many view as the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, 69 percent of manufacturers indicated they reduced their workforce, followed by delaying capital expenditures (66 percent), negotiating with suppliers for better deals (48 percent) and cutting promotional activities (37 percent.) The survey asked 1,046 past or prospective registrants of Fabtech International & AWS Welding Show, including Metalform. The poll was conducted in late July.
However, with signs that the economy is currently improving, those surveyed plan to reverse downsizing — nearly one-third of those surveyed said they expect to add to their workforce in the next 12 months. Manufacturers reported an increase in demand in product as the leading factor that would prompt an increase to the workforce (78 percent) followed by the opportunity to upgrade workforce (7 percent) and the need for new skill sets (6 percent).
Looking to go back to school for welding? Where better to learn the tricks of the trade than from good ol’ Lincoln Electric?
The Lincoln Electric Welding School Announces Its 2010 Schedule
Cleveland – The Lincoln Electric Welding School, which has instructed more than 120,000 students since its inception in 1917, announces its 2010 schedule.
The Lincoln Electric Welding School is the oldest and one of the most respected arc welding schools in the United States. Classes are taught by the school’s seven full-time instructors who have more than 100 years of combined industry experience. Courses are designed to teach the arc welding skills that employers need. Lincoln-trained students are in high demand by welding fabricators at pay levels that tend to exceed the industry average.
Classes range from a six-week basic course to an advanced 15-week comprehensive course, as well as one-week classes on specific welding processes, certification and customized programs. Students spend 80 percent of their time in the booth learning to weld. Additionally, Lincoln limits class sizes to 15 students per class in order to maximize learning and guarantee one-on-one instruction time.
New 2010 Equipment Catalog 136 colorful pages packed with the latest product information
Lincoln Electric is excited to present its 2010 Equipment Catalog. This book includes all of the new products introduced in 2009 to help you reduce costs, increase quality and improve productivity.
What’s New
The 2010 catalog sports a new look and format. It is printed on paper from suppliers using sustainable forest practices. For the first time Lincoln is also offering a Fast-Flip eBook version. This online catalog features intuitive book-like navigation that will enhance your online experience.
Consumable News
Stay tuned for an entirely new Welding Consumables Catalog featuring detailed information on Lincoln Electric’s full line of welding consumables under one cover.
Precision Ground Tungsten Electrodes Minimize Production Variables
Maximize your welding operations by using the best performing tungsten electrodes available! Consistent finish, exceptional quality electrodes that meet or exceed ISO 6848 and AWS A5.12 standards.
Our precision CNC pre-ground electrodes will let you enjoy enhanced weld quality and consistency. Precision ground — or — polished to your specifications — never worry again about inconsistent tungsten electrodes. Arc-Zone.com® delivers pre-ground electrodes for your orbital and “high-purity” automated applications, mechanized TIG welding, micro TIG welding, and plasma arc welding applications.
We stock pre-ground tungsten electrodes for Weldcraft® WP-125 (MT-125) and WP-50 Micro TIG torches, and for your Thermal Dynamics® Plasma Arc Welding Torches. Ready for immediate delivery — We can work with you to schedule deliveries based on your production demands.
Precise… Maintain specified electrode geometry for precise welds.
Efficient… Use our pre-ground electrodes to eliminate the maintenance and repair of dedicated tungsten grinding equipment.
Safe… Our pre-ground electrodes help you Improve safety and eliminate electrode grinding hazards.
Cost-effective… Save time and money because there’s no need to stock bulk-quantities of expensive electrodes.
Ordering Options
Use your welding equipment manufacturer’s part number (if available)
Complete form (below) specifying, material type, length, diameter, grind angle, tip flat and finish.
If you are not sure what you need, or if you would like us to make a recommendation — take a moment to describe your welding equipment and application in the field below. Based on that information an Arc-Zone.com Plasma Arc Welding Specialist will provide you with a electrode solution engineered to improve your weld quality and productivity.
Note: Our pre-ground electrodes are produced on precision CNC grinding machines. To cover our set-up costs, we require a 50 Piece Minimum Order.
When you’re welding in a production environment, you want to make sure you minimize your production variables. And as great as some of the grinders we have are (we do have the most comprehensive line up of tungsten grinders in the industry) precision, pre-ground tungsten electrodes are definitely the way to go. With a pre-ground tungsten electrode you’ll maximize your TIG or Plasma Arc Welding operations. Pre-grounds offer consistent finish, and a precision repeatability you’ll not find with a benchtop grinder.
We stock pre-ground tungsten electrodes for Weldcraft® WP-125 (MT-125) and WP-50 Micro TIG torches, and for your Thermal Dynamics® Plasma Arc Welding Torches. Ready for immediate delivery — We can work with you to schedule deliveries based on your production demands.
Precise… Maintain specified electrode geometry for precise welds.
Efficient… Use our pre-ground electrodes to eliminate the maintenance and repair of dedicated tungsten grinding equipment.
Safe… Our pre-ground electrodes help you Improve safety and eliminate electrode grinding hazards.
Cost-effective… Save time and money because there’s no need to stock bulk-quantities of expensive electrodes.
Ordering Options
Use your welding equipment manufacturer’s part number (if available)
Complete form (below) specifying, material type, length, diameter, grind angle, tip flat and finish.
If you are not sure what you need, or if you would like us to make a recommendation — take a moment to describe your welding equipment and application in the field below. Based on that information an Arc-Zone.com Plasma Arc Welding Specialist will provide you with a electrode solution engineered to improve your weld quality and productivity.
Note: Our pre-ground electrodes are produced on precision CNC grinding machines. To cover our set-up costs, we require a 50 Piece Minimum Order.
ArcTime™ Brand Hybrid, One Tungsten Blend For All Materials
The Sky’s The Limit With The NEW ArcTime™ Hybrid Tungsten Electrodes!
State-of-the-Art, Non-Radioactive Tungsten Electrode Formula: For all metals, compatible with all welding machines.
Fabricators from around the world are using ArcTime™ Hybrid to improve weld-quality, lower tungsten inventory costs and minimize weld defects. What started as “cult product” with a few specialty manufacturers of yatch towers, aerospace parts, mountain bikes and race cars has grown into our most poular tungsten electorde product.
Professional fabricators choose ArcTime™ because of its excellent ignition properties, low burn off rate and Tip longevity. As an added bonus, ArcTime™ hybrid tungsten electrodes work well with all power sources and all metals from mild steel to titanium. The material is clearly differentiated by it’s Sky Blue™ color code.
The NEW ArcTime™ offers all that, at a price even a hobbyist or small weld shop can afford.
We are so certain that you will benefit from the new ArcTime™ Hybrid, we are offering a Unconditional Money Back Guarantee backed by our industry-leading No-Hassle Return Policy.
“You’ll notice a difference just by striking the first arc– no finer electrode exists anywhere,” says Jim Watson, president and founder of Arc-Zone.com, Inc.
ArcTime™ Hybrid Performance Tungsten Electrodes™ pass Arc-Zone.com’s 5-Point Inspection Program and are delivered complete with Arc-Zone’s popular Guide to Tungsten (pdf), and Material Safety Data Sheet (pdf) .
ArcTime™ Brand Hybrid, One Tungsten Blend For All Materials
State-of-the-Art, Non-Radioactive Tungsten Electrode Formula: For all metals, compatible with all welding machines.
Professional fabricators choose ArcTime™ because of its excellent ignition properties, low burn off rate and tip longevity. In other words, this stuff lasts!
As an added bonus, ArcTime™ hybrid tungsten electrodes work well with all power sources and all metals from mild steel to titanium. The material is clearly differentiated by it’s Sky Blue™ color code.
The NEW ArcTime™ offers all that, at a price even a hobbyist or small weld shop can afford.
We are so certain that you will benefit from the new ArcTime™ Hybrid, we are offering a Unconditional Money Back Guarantee backed by our industry-leading No-Hassle Return Policy.
“You’ll notice a difference just by striking the first arc– no finer electrode exists anywhere,” says Jim Watson, president and founder of Arc-Zone.com, Inc.
Amazing TUNGSTEN. I never have to switch it out when I weld something new and the arc always strikes perfectly. I am on this for the rest of my welding days!!
Date Added: 05/14/2009 by Roger Wilcox
Some of the best large tungsten I have ever used. I am a definite believer from now on. And they set me up with a Net account in a couple of minutes. A wonderful experience.
Date Added: 05/25/2009 by Duncan Moore
We started using the ArcTime after we had some major quality issues with our tungsten supply. One of the challenges of being a government entity is the material is supplied for a variety of reasons, and most times quality is not one of them! We were using the 1.5% and 2% Lanthanated material, and it varied in performance and each supplier had a box with a different label on it which did not sit well with our welding shop instructor. We tested the ArcTime material and were very pleased with the look of the material, the supporting documentation and most importantly the performance. We do maintenance welds on Aluminum ship hulls – the ArcTime hybrid tungsten out performs all other materials, and saves us a lot of headaches. Now we can focus on welding!
HT2 Hull Technician Pacific Fleet (sent via email)
Date Added: 06/25/2008 by Arc-Zone Admin
Check out what our very own Roxy Fuel has to say about ArcTime™:
Star of TLC’s Overhaulin’ Chip Foose to Sign Autographs at Lincoln Booth #23613
What : Renowned auto designer, Chip Foose will sign autographs at Lincoln Electric’s 2009SEMA booth #23616. Lincoln’s booth will also feature the new Fuller “Fueller” Bike from Bryan Fuller.
Foose stars in TLC hit shows Overhaulin’ and Rides. He also designs cars and wheels for several automotive companies and other clients, including NASCAR racing great Jeff Gordon. Bryan Fuller is an avid welder, fabricator and the host of Two Guys Garage.
The Lincoln Electric Company, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc welding systems, fume extraction equipment and plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment. The company holds a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market. For more information, visit www.lincolnelectric.com.
The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world (PLEASE NOTE: THE SEMA SHOW IS NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC). It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of the AAIW, the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from over 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, and RV markets. SEMA Show 2008 drew over 50,000 domestic and international buyers through two million square feet of exhibits. The displays are segmented into 12 sections, and a New Products Showcase featured nearly 2,000 newly introduced parts, tools and components. In addition, the SEMA Show provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more…
SEMA Show Exhibit Hours
Tuesday, November 3, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 4, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 5, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, November 6, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Pro Gear Packages™ – Three Gear Pak’s to Choose From
Now you can get all the top gear needed to complete that school welding program or upgrade your favorite fabricators current safety gear! Your Pro-Gear Pak features the stylish flame-resistant BSX™ welding gear built for performance and safety; including, the Striker Jacket, the FireRag™ doo rag, and two pairs of matching gloves—one designed for Stick and MIG welding and one designed specifically for high performance TIG welding. Three Gear Pak’s to Choose from!
Included With Your Pro-Gear Pak:
Top-of-the-line HellRaiser™ anti-fog safety glasses by Jackson™
Miller’s complete set of slide-rule welding guides for Stick, MIG, and TIG welding
The handy tungsten stick-out gauge
Joe Welder’s TIG Welding guides
Upgrade With A Welding Helmet and Gear Bag:
Now you can choose to include either the Inferno™ Passive Welding Helmet by Miller™, or a full-feature Nex-Gen™ Auto Darkening Helmet by Jackson™. Both selections include a deluxe helmet/gear bag from Jackson™.
Pro Gear Packages™ – Three Gear Pak’s to Choose From
Now you can get all the top gear needed to complete that school welding program or upgrade your favorite fabricators current safety gear!
Your Pro-Gear Pak features the stylish flame-resistant BSX™ welding gear built for performance and safety; including, the Striker Jacket, the FireRag™ doo rag, and two pairs of matching gloves—one designed for Stick and MIG welding and one designed specifically for high performance TIG welding.
Included With Your Pro-Gear Pak:
Top-of-the-line HellRaiser™ anti-fog safety glasses by Jackson™
Miller’s complete set of slide-rule welding guides for Stick, MIG, and TIG welding
The handy tungsten stick-out gauge
Joe Welder’s TIG Welding guides
Upgrade With A Welding Helmet and Gear Bag:
Now you can choose to include either the Inferno™ Passive Welding Helmet by Miller™, or a full-feature Nex-Gen™ Auto Darkening Helmet by Jackson™. Both selections include a deluxe helmet/gear bag from Jackson™.
See What Customers Have to Say:
I got one of these kits for each one of my welders in my shop. They then wrote their names on everything so they knew whose was whose. Thanks for the help getting them to me.
Date Added: 05/11/2009 by Carn Anthony
Thanks for the package guys. I just started my class and I am the most prepared. And that stick out gauge works really well. Really appreciate the help, you have my future business.
FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show including METALFORM
The FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show now including METALFORM hits McCormick Place in Chicago, Nov. 15 – 18, 2009. The MEGA event anticipates hosting over 1,000 exhibitors, drawing an expected 35,000 attendees and featuring thousands of live equipment demonstrations throughout pavilions dedicated to metal forming, fabricating, tube and pipe, stamping, lasers, thermal spray and welding.
Preview video and show photos to see what the show is all about!
Show Location
McCormick Place
2301 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL USA
Phone: (312) 791-6300
Show Dates & Hours
Sunday, Nov.15 11:00 a.m- 4:00 p.m.
Monday, Nov.16 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov.17 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov.18 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m
You’ve already heard us talk about the upcoming FABTECH International and AWS Welding Show this November, but just in case you needed a little push to attend, we’ve got some more tantalizing information for you all.
First off is the general information – FABTECH’s main website with the who, what, where, when, why, and a magical little button that you push to attend.
FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show including METALFORM
The FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show now including METALFORM hits McCormick Place in Chicago, Nov. 15 – 18, 2009. The MEGA event anticipates hosting over 1,000 exhibitors, drawing an expected 35,000 attendees and featuring thousands of live equipment demonstrations throughout pavilions dedicated to metal forming, fabricating, tube and pipe, stamping, lasers, thermal spray and welding.
Secondly, Miller is going to be there (booth #34701 – write it down) and they will be showing some fabulous new products, so don’t forget your cameras.
Miller to Unveil Latest Welding, Safety and Fume Extraction Products at the 2009 FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show
Visit booth #34071 to see:
AlumaFeed™ Aluminum Fabrication System
FILTAIR™ MWX-D Mobile Fume Extractor
Miller’s Arc Armor™ PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirator)
PipeWorx™ Welding System
Trailblazer® 302 Air Pak™
Live arc demonstrations
APPLETON, Wis., August 13, 2009—Miller Electric Mfg. Co. will present its latest arc welding, welding safety and fume extraction products as well as live arc demonstrations in booth #34071 at the 2009 FABTECH International & AWS Welding show, November 15 to 18 at McCormick Place in Chicago. New products include the AlumaFeed™ Aluminum Fabrication System, FILTAIR™ MWX-D Mobile Fume Extractor, Miller’s Arc Armor™ PAPR, PipeWorx™ Welding System and Trailblazer® 302 Air Pak™. Additional products will be announced as show date nears.
Lastly, this is the first year that FABTECH International and AWS are partnering with METALFORM, resulting in more exhibits, more attendees (hopefully), and by and by large, a better show.
FABTECH INTERNATIONAL & AWS WELDING SHOW ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH METALFORM
First combined trade show will take place November 15-18, 2009, at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
DEARBORN, Mich. – April 2, 2008 – Four industry-leading trade show organizers have formed an alliance to better serve the needs of trade show exhibitors and manufacturers in North America from the fields of fabricating, tube & pipe, welding and cutting, metalforming, and related processes. The show alliance between the three organizers of the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show [the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association International (FMA) and the American Welding Society (AWS)] and the organizer of METALFORM [the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA)] will result in a combined annual exhibition.
Human welders draw on experience, intuition and trial-and-error to establish the right parameters for a welding job. Transferring this skill to robots can be complex.
Lincoln Electric to Feature 
Visit booth #34071 to see:
