Seminar Report
Seminar Report
SEMINAR REPORT
by
KRISHNAJITH SK NAIR
(2301022708)
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DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
CENTRAL POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
2025
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the Seminar Report entitled “ADVANCED ROBOTIC WELDING" is a
Bonafede record of the work done by KRISHNAJITH SK NAIR (Register No: 2301022708)
during the academic year 2023-26 under our guidance and supervision towards the partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Diploma in Mechanical Engineering under
the State Board of Technical Education, Government of Kerala.
Lecturer in Mechanical
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my faculty, Mr. Kishore.S,
for his invaluable guidance and support throughout this seminar. His insights
and suggestions have greatly enhanced my understanding of the topic and the
direction of my research. I am also profoundly grateful to our Head of the
Department, for providing the necessary resources and encouragement during
the preparation of this report. His leadership and dedication to our academic
growth have been inspiring.
A special thanks to my tutor, Mr. Arun Kumar S.S, for his continuous
support and for being a source of motivation throughout this journey. His
constant encouragement and constructive feedback have been instrumental in
the completion of this seminar. Finally, I would like to extend my heartfelt
thanks to my family and friends for their unwavering support and patience
during the preparation of this seminar. Their belief in my abilities has been a
driving force behind my efforts.
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ABSTRACT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
8. TYPE OF SENSORS
8.1. VISION SENSOR
8.2 LASER SENSOR
8.3. ARC SENSOR
12. ADVANTAGES
13. LIMITATIONS
16. CONCLUSION
17. REFERENCE
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TABLE OF FIGURES
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INTRODUCTION
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ADVANCED ROBOTIC WELDING
How it Works
2. Sensors and cameras guide the robot to find the exact welding spot.
3. The robot automatically adjusts heat, speed, and angle depending on the
material.
4. The system checks the weld quality in real-time and corrects mistakes
instantly.
Main Features :
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3. Components of a Robotic Welding System
3.1. Robotic Arm
A multi-axis arm that performs the welding task.
Typically has 6 or more degrees of freedom for flexible movement.
3.2. Welding Torch or End Effect or
The actual welding tool mounted at the end of the robot arm.
Can be configured for MIG, TIG, laser, or spot welding.
3.3. Controller
Acts as the brain of the robot.
Stores welding programs, motion paths, and operational data.
3.4. Power Supply / Welding Machine
Provides the required heat energy for welding.
3.5. Sensors and Vision Systems
Laser sensors, cameras, and arc sensors detect joint positions and monitor weld
quality in real-time.
3.6. Positioners and Fixtures
Hold the work pieces steady during welding.
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PROCESS OF ROBOTIC WELDING
2. Work piece Setup The materials to be welded are placed and clamped in
position, often using fixtures to ensure accuracy.
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3. Robot Arm Movement The robotic arm moves to the welding location with
precision using sensors and pre-defined coordinates.
4. Welding Operation The robot performs the welding process (e.g., MIG, TIG,
Spot Welding). Parameters like arc length, voltage, wire feed speed, and
shielding gas
TYPES OF ADVANCED ROBOTIC WELDING
fig 5.1
Robotic arc welding means welding that is performed and controlled by robotic
equipment in general equipment for automatic arc welding is designed
differently for automatic arc welding is designed differently from that for
manual arc welding . automatic arc welding normally involves high duty cycles,
and the welding equipment must be able to operate under
those conditions. In addition the equipment components must
have the necessary features and controls to interface with the main control
system.
A special kind of electrical power is required to make an arc
weld. A welding machine, also known as a sources, provides the special power
All arc welding processes use an arc welding gun or transmit welding current
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from cable to electrode . they also provide for shielding the weld area from the
atmosphere.
The nozzle of the torch is close to the arc and will gradually pick up
spatter A torch cleaner (normally automatic) is often used in robot arc welding
systems to remove the spanner All of the continuous electrode wire arc
processes require an electrode feeder to feed the consumable electrode wire into
the arc
fig.5.2
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Automatic Welding imposes specific demands on resistance welding
equipment. Often, equipment must be specifically designed and welding
procedures developed to meet robot welding requirements.
The Spot welding robot is the most important component of a robotized spot
welding installation. Welding robots are available in various sizes, rated by
payload capacity and reach. The number of axes also classifies robots. A spot
welding gun applies appropriate pressure and current to the sheets to be welded.
There are different types of welding guns, used for different applications
available. An automatic weld-timer initiates and times the duration of current.
During the resistance welding process the welding electrodes are exposed to
severe heat and pressure. In time, these factors begin to deform( mushroom) the
electrodes to restore the shape of the electrodes, an automatic tip-dresser is
used.
One problem when welding with the robots is that cables and hoses used for
current and air etc. tend to limit the capacity of movement of the robot wrist. A
solution to this problem is the swivel. The swivel unit also enables off-line
programming as all cables and hoses can be routes along defined paths of the
robot arm.
TYPICAL COMPONENETS OF AN INTEGRATED ROBOTIC SPOT
WELDING CELL:
fig.5.3
Furthermore, laser welding always requires access from one side only, so
new designs are now possible that could not have been implemented by means
of traditional resistance spot welding.
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In robotic MIG-MAG welding, a robotic arm automatically controls the
welding torch, wire feed, and motion along the joint. This ensures:
• Faster welding speed
• Consistent, high-quality welds
• Less human error
• Suitable for mass production (automotive, machinery, construction).
In short: MIG-MAG robotic welding = automatic, gas-shielded, wire-fed arc
welding done by robots for high efficiency and precision.
fig.5.4
Key Points:
• Produces high-quality, clean, and precise welds.
• Best for thin materials like stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium.
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• Commonly used in aerospace, automotive, and medical industries.
• Robotic control gives accuracy, repeatability, and speed
In short: TIG robotic welding combines TIG welding quality with robotic
automation for precision and efficiency.
fig.5.5
Plasma Arc Welding is a fusion welding process that uses a constricted
electric arc to generate a very high-temperature plasma jet for melting and
joining metals. It is similar to TIG welding but more precise and powerful.
How it Works :
1. An electric arc is formed between a non-consumable tungsten electrode and
the work piece.
2. The arc passes through a small nozzle, which constricts it and converts it into
a plasma jet.
3. The plasma jet reaches extremely high temperatures (up to 30,000°C) and
melts the base metal edges.
4. Shielding gas (argon, helium, or argon-hydrogen) protects the molten weld
from oxidation and contamination.
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ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES IN ROBOTIC WELDING
Advanced technologies in robotic welding include AI-powered vision
systems for real-time weld adjustment, laser welding for intricate parts, mobile
and collaborative robots (cobots) for versatility, advanced sensors and IoT
integration for continuous monitoring, and digital twin technology for precise
programming and simulation. These innovations significantly boost efficiency,
enhance safety, and ensure superior weld quality by enabling adaptive control,
remote monitoring, and adaptive learning.
• AI-Powered Vision Systems: Robots can "see" and analyze the weld pool
in real-time, allowing them to automatically adjust parameters to maintain
optimal weld quality.
• Inrotech crawler: A mobile robot that moves to large objects like ship
sections and bridges, featuring automatic multi-pass welding with built-in
sensors for compensation.
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• Cobots: These robots are designed to work alongside human operators,
enhancing efficiency and safety by sharing tasks and providing support for
complex tasks.
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Benefits of These Advancements
• Improved Quality:
Enhanced precision, real-time adjustments, and automated inspections lead to
more consistent and higher-quality welds.
• Enhanced Safety:
Automation removes human operators from hazardous environments, reducing
exposure to fumes and other dangers associated with welding.
• Greater Flexibility:
Robots can be quickly reprogrammed to handle different materials,
thicknesses, and geometries, allowing manufacturers to adapt to changing
production needs
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ROLE OF MACHINE VISION AND SENSORS IN ROBOTIC
WELDING
Machine vision and sensors provide robotic welders with the ability to
perceive and understand their environment, enabling them to accurately locate
and track weld seams, monitor process parameters, and inspect the quality of the
weld in real-time. This intelligence allows for adaptive, high-precision welding,
correcting for variations in part positioning, joint geometry, and environmental
conditions to ensure consistent, high-quality output in complex and changing
manufacturing scenarios.
• Process Monitoring:
Sensors provide feedback on critical welding parameters like voltage, current,
and arc length, which can be used to control the process in real-time and
ensure consistent weld quality.
• Real-time Adaptability:
Coupled with AI and machine learning, vision systems enable adaptive
welding, allowing the robot to automatically correct its trajectory and adjust
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parameters during the welding process to compensate for unexpected
variations.
• Weld inspection:
Sensors can perform non-destructive testing (NDT) and defect evaluation,
analyzing images to identify issues like poor bead placement or other flaws in
the weld.
Types of Sensors
• Vision sensors
These sensors use cameras to capture visual data of the weld environment,
providing high-precision, non-contact measurement and detailed information
about the weld seam.
• Laser sensors
Often used in conjunction with cameras, laser vision systems project a line
onto the part and measure the resulting pattern to determine joint geometry and
track the seam with high accuracy.
• Arc Sensors:
These sensors monitor changes in arc voltage or other electrical signals to
control the torch height, a form of adaptive control.
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Benefits of Integrated Vision and Sensors
• Enhanced Efficiency:
Automation of tasks like seam finding and tracking reduces cycle times and
increases overall productivity.
• Flexibility:
Vision systems allow robots to handle diverse product ranges and imperfect
preassembly conditions, which was previously impossible or required
expensive custom programming.
• Improved Safety:
By automating tasks in hazardous environments, sensors help remove humans
from dangerous situations.
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COLLABORATIVE ROBOTS (COBOTS) IN WELDING
INDUSTRIES
fig.10.1
• Improved Safety:
Unlike traditional industrial robots that require safety enclosures, cobots are
designed to work safely alongside humans, reducing risks associated with heat,
fumes, and sparks.
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• Cost-Effectiveness:
While there's an initial investment, cobots offer a lower total cost of
ownership, faster ROI, and can be more affordable than hiring additional staff,
especially for small and mid-sized companies.
• Space Optimization:
The compact design of cobots allows them to be integrated into existing
production lines without requiring extensive modifications or floor space.
• User-Friendly Programming:
Cobots often feature simple, intuitive interfaces, requiring less specialized
programming skill, which allows experienced welders to teach and manage
them effectively.
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2. Path Programming: The Cobot is programmed to follow a precise path for
each weld.
speed.
Common Applications :
WELDING SAFETY
Robotic welding systems involve potential hazards such as arc radiation, laser
exposure, fumes, and moving machinery. Safety measures include:
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• Emergency stop systems
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ADVANTAGES:
LIMITATIONS
3. Not Suitable for Small Batch Production – Best for mass production; for low-
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4. Limited Flexibility for Irregular Jobs – Works efficiently on repetitive and
7. Safety Risks – Though safer for operators, risks like electrical hazards, fire,
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IMPACT OF ROBOTICS ON SOCIETY
2. Reduced Waste:
Minimizing errors in welding decreases scrap and rework, contributing to
more sustainable manufacturing practices and reduced material waste.
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FUTURE SCOPE
Advanced sensors and control systems ensure higher precision and fewer
defects, meeting the stringent quality demands of industries like automotive
and aerospace.
Future systems will handle more complex geometries and advanced materials
(like alloys and composites) with greater adaptability and higher-quality
results.
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• Growth in Collaborative Robots (Cobots):
Cobots will work alongside humans, sharing workspaces and performing tasks
collaboratively, enhancing both safety and efficiency in shared environments.
While manual welding may decrease, new roles will emerge for technicians,
operators, and engineers skilled in programming, maintaining, and monitoring
advanced robotic systems.
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CONCLUSION
manufacturing. With processes like spot welding and laser welding, industries
can achieve faster production, superior weld quality, and safer working
systems will become more intelligent, adaptive, and widely adopted. Advanced
Industry 4.0 continue, robotic welding will play a vital role in shaping the future
of smart manufacturing.
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REFERENCES
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