Motoman Inc., the robotic automation arm of Yaskawa Electric Corp. of Kitakyushu, Japan, demonstrated hybrid laser welding at its stand, and had an impressive display that was comprised of four robots controlled by a single numeric controller. The management of the four robots by the single controller provides six degrees of freedom, and the ability to reach and to weld parts more quickly and with less fixturing than usual, according to Chris Anderson, Motoman's market segment leader for welding. Anderson is based at Motoman's office in West Carrollton, Ohio.

"With this setup, the controller manages the arc welding and the welding robots, and gives you more flexible handling than with traditional setups. The cost of the robots and the software and controller is lower than the cost of a positioning system that would give you the same flexibility, and it increases productivity," Anderson said.

He said the laser hybrid welding process that Motoman introduced at the show is similarly designed to increase productivity. The process is designed for low heat, so it reduces distortions after the welding process is completed, and it has the ability to recognize and adjust for mislocations of joints. That ability to find and identify mislocated joints makes the process a good candidate for jobs in the field where such glitches could become challenging, Anderson says.

For additional information on Motoman and its products, visit www.motoman.com