STEP “teaching-free technology” ushers in a new direction for intelligent welding with industrial robots.
2024-09-11
As industrial automation continues to advance, the demand for welding robots is steadily growing worldwide. In particular, the application of welding robots is becoming increasingly widespread in the automotive manufacturing, aerospace, shipbuilding, and construction industries.
▋China’s Smart Welding Robots with Huge Potential
Compared to traditional teach-pendant welding robots, intelligent welding robots are highly automated devices that integrate a variety of advanced technologies, including robotics, artificial intelligence, machine vision, sensor technology, automated control, and software engineering.
According to the Gaogong Robot Industry Research Institute (GGII), China's sales of intelligent welding robots will grow from 2,300 units in 2023 to 37,300 units in 2030, with a CAGR exceeding 42% from 2024 to 2030.
▋Technological Innovation in Teaching-Free Welding
At the summit’s session on shipbuilding applications, Mr. Tang Ruobin, Director of STEP’s Arc Welding Products, delivered a speech titled “Leading the Way to the Future: Innovation and Application of Teach-Free Technology.” He provided a detailed introduction to the technological advantages and innovative highlights of STEP’s teach-free welding solution, as well as its practical application results across multiple industries.
Mr. Tang Ruobin pointed out that STEP teach-free welding solution simplifies the generation of welding programs through parametric programming. Users only need to input the necessary dimensional parameters, and the system can automatically generate the welding program and enable one-click initiation of the welding operation. Moreover, by importing product models, this solution automatically determines the camera’s position and orientation, and combined with visual correction technology, it achieves a welding process that requires no manual teaching.
▋ Successful Application of Teach-Free Welding
This innovation addresses industry pain points such as unstable incoming materials and small product volumes, and has been successfully applied in multiple fields including power tower foundations, architectural steel structures, bridge steel structures, and shipbuilding steel structures.
Shipbuilding industry
In response to the challenges faced by the shipbuilding industry—such as product diversity, low production volumes, ever-changing specifications, complex structural designs, long production preparation cycles, stringent delivery deadlines, and massive amounts of process data—STEP has proposed a comprehensive solution that incorporates parametric programming, 3D vision technology, and large-scale line-scan reverse modeling. These solutions have significantly enhanced production automation and flexibility, reduced errors, and optimized cost management.
Power industry
In the power industry, STEP parametric programming welding workstation project has also performed exceptionally well. Furthermore, its collaborations with partners in the construction industry have achieved remarkable success, further demonstrating STEP technological prowess and innovative capabilities in the field of intelligent welding technology.
▋ Honorary Recognition: Advanced Technology Award
On the evening of August 30, STEP was awarded the “Advanced Technology” prize at the 2024 China Intelligent Welding Industry Chain Pioneer Awards Ceremony for its innovative “Tower Foot Non-Test Teaching Parametric Programming System.” This honor not only recognizes STEP technological innovation but also affirms its breakthroughs in the field of intelligent welding technology.
STEP remains committed to continuously optimizing robot bodies, controllers, and control systems to deliver more stable and reliable solutions. The company’s goal is to achieve a higher level of domestic substitution, demonstrating its competitiveness and forward-looking vision in the global robotics industry. As technology continues to advance and market demand grows, STEP will remain at the forefront of intelligent welding technology development, providing more efficient and smarter welding solutions for industries across the board.
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