1. Application status of welding robots
At present, the programming method for welding robots is mainly based on online teaching, but the interface of the programmer has been improved a lot compared to the past. The new welding robot programming interface is more user-friendly and easier to operate. When teaching programming, the first step is to obtain several key points on the weld trajectory, input a line or arc command, and automatically track the actual weld trajectory through the welding robot arc sensor or laser vision sensor. When programming, in addition to selecting a reasonable welding sequence, a short and smooth movement trajectory, a reasonable positioner position and welding gun posture, and timely inserting a cleaning program to ensure the cleanliness of the welding gun, the most important thing is that programming generally cannot be done in one step, and it needs to be constantly inspected and modified during the robot welding process. After a lot of practice accumulation, efficient and practical welding programs can be formed.
The on-site application is shown in Figure 4. The welding workstation is composed of a welding robot (6-axis integrated robotic arm), an RGV trolley, a walking gantry (1-3 axes), an L-type positioner, tooling fixtures, and various system equipment. It can achieve automatic welding, automatic loading and unloading, and the production efficiency is increased by more than 50% compared to manual welding. The welding seam is uniform and beautiful.
2. The significance of welding robot application
(1) Stabilizing and improving welding quality, ensuring weld uniformity. When using robot welding, the welding parameters of each weld are constant, and the weld quality is less affected by human factors, so the welding quality is relatively stable.
(2) The labor conditions of workers have been improved by using robot welding, which keeps welders away from welding arcs, smoke, splashes, and high temperatures. For spot welding, welders no longer carry bulky manual welding tongs, freeing them from high-intensity physical labor.
(3) Improving labor productivity: Welding robots can continuously produce 24 hours a day. In addition, with the application of high-speed welding and narrow gap welding technologies, the use of robots for welding has significantly improved efficiency.
(4) The product cycle is clear and easy to control production efficiency. The production rhythm of robots is fixed, so arranging production plans is very clear.
3. Outlook for Future Welding Robots
With the continuous development of computer technology, network technology, intelligent control technology, artificial intelligence theory, and industrial production systems, there are still many problems in the field of welding robot technology that need to be studied seriously, especially the visual control technology, fuzzy control technology, intelligent control technology, embedded control technology, virtual reality technology, and network control technology of welding robots, which will be the main research directions in the future.
It is expected that welding robots will develop towards virtual reality technology, multi-sensor information fusion technology, multi intelligent welding robot systems, and mobile robot systems in the future. The super large network capacity, high data transmission rate, and low network latency of 5G technology have improved the collaborative and intelligent level of welding robot systems. Virtual reality technology is a technology that decomposes and reassembles the reality of events from space and time, including 3D computer graphics technology, multi-functional sensor interaction interface technology and high-definition display technology, and enables welding robots to carry out real-time communication and remote control.
China is a big manufacturing country, and has launched the implementation of the "Made in China 2025" strategy. Welding robots will usher in a very good development prospect in the machinery manufacturing industry. The rapid development of China's technological level has greatly promoted the development of the construction machinery industry. Welding robots, as an important symbol of the transformation and upgrading of the construction machinery industry, have received high attention from the country. The government's increased policy and financial support will promote the rapid development of welding robots. With the development of computer technology, sensor technology, artificial intelligence technology, and the introduction and absorption of advanced technology and experience, welding robot technology will quickly mature, accelerating China's pace from a manufacturing powerhouse to a manufacturing powerhouse.
