Robot welding in shipbuilding

Examines the challenges facing the shipbuilding industry today and details the solution offered by a consortium of three German companies. It is based on the prefabrication of sub‐assemblies on production lines in which automation is critical to the economics. Describes welding robots playing a key role in this approach and the robot systems supplied to one German shipbuilder. Also important to cost effectiveness is a new high speed welding process that uses two wires in the weld torch, enabling productivity to be at least doubled. Another necessity is an off‐line programming and simulation system, specifically developed for the shipbuilding industry, that is typified by one‐off and low volume manufacture.