5 traits to look for in a robotic cell operator--The right person can make the most of robotic welding

摘要

The ugly truth in metal fabricating is that an automated welding cell is just as capable of turning out bad parts as an inexperienced welder. In both instances, it goes back to human error. Only in the most advanced automated setups do humans have no interaction with automated welding technology. Even in the world of high-volume, low-mix manufacturing, where an engineer has set up the amps and volts in the welding equipment and locked out the operator to prevent tampering with the equipment, the operator hits a cycle button. Most metal fabricators, however, live in the world of low-volume, high-mix manufacturing, where the jobs can range from simple to complicated within the same hour. Operators not engaged in their job of overseeing an automated welding operation can create new headaches for a management team that thought its production headaches would disappear with the investment in robotics.