Welding Journal

The Advantages of SMEs Adopting Collaborative Robotic Welding

Small and medium-sized enterprises are looking to cobots to provide relief and support for manual welders

July 2023

By: TIM PATON

Lead photo.jpg — Collaborative robot welding packages are a viable solution for smaller job shops as well as small and medium-sized enterprises. They are easy to implement and operate without prior robotic experience and require a lower overall investment. (Photo courtesy of The Lincoln Electric Co.)

It’s no secret there is a major shortage of welding professionals in the United States. According to the AWS Welding Workforce Data website (weldingworkforcedata.com), the shortfall estimated by 2027 approaches 360,000, and with more than 155,000 welders approaching retirement, it is clearly a longer-term trend.

It is affecting companies of all sizes. Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with higher volumes and ample resources long ago adopted

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