43
Through Optimum Use and Innovation of Welding and Joining Technologies
Improving Global Quality of Life
5
Needs and challenges in welding and joining technologies
The change from electrodes (MMA) to solid (MIG/MAG) and cored wires (FCAW) is estimated to be as
shown in
Figure 5.12
.
It has been obvious for 30 years to automate the welding operations by introducing
robotised stations. The number of stations continues to grow quickly to increase productivity and to improve
the working environment and to eliminate monotonous tasks. To design purpose built installations without
robots is almost a malpractice due to the price reduction for robots. During the last 15-20 years robot prices
have been reduced by 46%.
Figure 5.12
Changes in welding
consumable types (Reproduced
courtesy: ESAB)
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
Thousands of metric tonnes
Electrodes
1998 2001 2004 2007
f
2010
f
2013
f
Source: ESAB estimates
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
Thousands of metric tonnes
N. America
1998 2001 2004 2007
f
2010
f
2013
f
Europe
Asia
Other
Source: ESAB estimates
Solid wire
Sub Arc wire Flux cored wire
Worldwide weld metal consumption - by region
Worldwide weld metal consumption - by weld process
One should consider the higher capability of the robots today particularly since the prices have dropped by
77%
since 1990 (
Figure 5.13
).
In mechanised applications one can further increase the productivity by using large packaging solutions.
Figure 5.13
Changes in prices of robots
(
Reproduced courtesy: B. Pekkari)
Price index of industrial robots for international comparison (based on
1990
$ conversion rate), with and without quality adjustment
Robot prices, not quality adjusted
Robot prices, quality adjusted
Index 1990=100
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
