Robotic transporters are a key part of automating the welding of extremely large, heavy parts.

The maximum work radius of an extended-reach robot is about 3-meters (9.84 ft.)

If the parts you weld require more reach than that, ways have to be found to move the robot to the part to provide optimal torch access to the welds.

A variety of robot transporters are available, and each type lends itself to a particular type of work flow.

How do you decide whether your application is best-suited for a linear floor- or wall-mounted track, linear overhead gantry or radial transport beam solution?

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Robotic Transporter

• Cost
  Cost is always one of the primary factors to consider when selecting a robot transporter configuration.
  
  A single robot costs less than a robot combined with a transporter, however a robot on a transporter can reduce the need for additional robots and can maximize the use of an investment in capital equipment. However, multiple robots can be used together on some types of transporters to improve productivity.
  
  Some types of transporters take up more floorspace, while others reduce floor space needs.
  
  Some have expensive installation requirements, while others have facility and structural limitations or require special accommodations for part handling.
• Part Size and Configuration
  The physical dimensions — length, width and depth — of all of the parts that are to be welded robotically have to be considered.
  
  Do the parts need welds on all sides, on the outside only or on the inside as well?
  
  Also, are short, intermittent welds required or does the part call for continuous welds along its length? In the case of tubular parts, are the welds circumferential?
• Part Flow
  Do the parts flow in an inline production configuration or do they enter the work cell from opposing sides?
  
  Are work stations parallel — next to each other — or opposing — on opposite sides of the robot?
  
  Are the parts loaded by an overhead crane, by forklift or via some other method?
• Facility Structural Considerations
  Structural considerations include floor reinforcement and the thickness of the floor's concrete that are needed to support the robots and transporters, aisle width, ceiling height, support column spacing, overhead cranes, and such things as lighting and ductwork that could cause interference with the robots or transport structures.
• Safeguarding Considerations
  Worker safety is important in any manufacturing plant.
  
  Safety equipment generally is designed to comply with the ANSI/RIA 15.06-1999 safety standard.
  
  Welding cells require perimeter guarding with arc flash protection curtains; personnel gates with safety interlocks; and light curtains at operator workstations and any pass-through openings to the welding cell.
  
  Transporters may require limiting devices to be used as interlocks for safeguarding the work space.


Robots that share the same workspace with overlapping work envelopes. (Photo 1.)

• Production Requirements
  You will need to determine whether multiple robots will be needed to meet required production volumes.
  
  Calculations need to be based on the number, length and type of welds — that is, whether they are single or multi-pass — that are required per part.
  
  If these calculations show that multiple robots are required, you need to decide whether the robots need to share the same workspace, as in overlapping envelopes, or if separate, adjacent tracks will suffice. (See Photo 1.)