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Fast and easy to the optimal welding result with a welding robot system from Panasonic

robot welding cell

Welding cell ET-2PD-XL of the company MÜNCH represented with the Panasonic simulation software DTPS
Photo by: Panasonic Industrial Devices Sales Europe GmbH

So far the programming of new work pieces was complicated and very time-consuming. For the company MÜNCH GmbH, based in Karlstadt in lower Franconia, Germany, this was the main reason to invest in a new welding robot system from Panasonic.

Bernd Wittmann, technical manager and quality management officer at company MÜNCH GmbH, knows very well how he can respond flexibly with innovative technique to his customers’ requirements. The company MÜNCH GmbH has grown exactly with this flexibility. Started in 1947 as a locksmith’s shop it became in the year 1994 to a reliably supplier in the field of machine and steel construction after the takeover of Mr. Gunther Petershofen. The range of services covers among other things laser cutting on own systems, folding and pressing as well as mechanical processing. These are the best possible conditions for the fully-automatic welding as all  relevant preliminary work are progressed in-house. The Panasonic welding equipment is an ET-2PD-XL system.

Due to lot sizes of 50 till 400 pieces the flexible use and the fast production changeover times were important points at the installation layout. The types of customers range from machine construction to medical technology, which shows the high quality requirements. In combination with the MÜNCH own fixture construction it can also react quickly to changes of work pieces and new orders.

welding robot programming

Mr. Patrick Schneider during programming with TAWERS „Weld Navigation“
Photo by: Panasonic Industrial Devices Sales Europe GmbH

To keep the costs for part modifications and prototyping as low as possible the company MÜNCH decided to choose the TAWERS welding robot system from -Panasonic with G3 controller. By the use of the integrated „Weld Navigation” function it’s possible to solve welding tasks within a very short time. „Weld Navigation” provides the perfect welding parameter including the torch position. Therefore it’s only necessary to additional input the material thicknesses, joint type and design of throat thickness and the robot controller calculates automatically the recommended parameter. With that the time-consuming search for voltage and wire feeder speed belongs to the past.

The responsible programmer, Mr. Patrick Schneider, appreciates this unique function since it makes programming much easier and faster for him. Furthermore the unnecessary loss of sample parts will be avoided by which additional costs can be saved.

This unique functionality of TAWERS welding robot is possible by its optimised construction for welding tasks. Instead – as normal – combining a robot with a power source, in case of TAWERS the power source is part of the robot controller. Thereby it allows to control ideally the motion functions as well as the welding parameter by one CPU unit (= central processing unit). With that an accelerated welding start and welding end is integrated as the control uses the robot movement as a part of the wire feeder / retraction movement. This works completely automatic and the user can be pleased about the cycle time optimisation.

As an operating unit a less than 1kg light and ergonomic teach pendant is used. The “Weld Navigation” function will also be graphically displayed to avoid misunderstandings.

teach pendant

Panasonic teach pendant with graphic representation of TAWERS „Weld Navigation“
Photo by: Panasonic Industrial Devices Sales Europe GmbH

For more info on the welding robot systems of Panasonic visit www.industrial.panasonic.com/eu/