Characteristics of Robotic Flexible Welding:

Robotic flexible welding does not impose stringent requirements on welding robots. Since spot welding only necessitates point-to-point control, there are no strict demands on the movement trajectory of the welding gun between spots. This is also why robots were initially limited to spot welding applications. Robots used for spot welding must not only possess sufficient payload capacity but also exhibit rapid speed, smooth motion, and precise positioning during inter-spot transitions. This minimizes relocation time and enhances operational efficiency. The required payload capacity for a spot welding robot depends on the type of welding gun used. For guns separated from the transformer, a robot with a 30–45 kg payload is sufficient. However, such torches present drawbacks: the long secondary cables cause significant power loss and hinder the robot's ability to extend the torch deep into the workpiece for welding. Additionally, the cables swing continuously with the robot's movements, accelerating cable wear. Consequently, integrated torches are increasingly adopted. These torches, combined with the transformer, weigh approximately 70 kg. Considering the need for sufficient payload capacity and the ability to accelerate the welding gun to spatial positions for welding, heavy-duty robots with payloads of 100–150 kg are typically selected. To meet the requirement for rapid short-distance displacement of the welding gun during continuous spot welding, new heavy-duty robots incorporate the capability to complete a 50 mm displacement within 0.3 seconds. This places higher demands on motor performance, microcomputer processing speed, and algorithms.

With advancements in electronics, computer technology, CNC, and robotics, automated welding robots—first deployed in production during the 1960s—have achieved increasing technical maturity. Their primary advantages include:

　　1) Stabilizing and enhancing weld quality, with the ability to quantify weld parameters;

　　2) Enhances labor productivity;

　　3) Reduces worker labor intensity and enables operation in hazardous environments;

　　4) Lowers requirements for operator technical skills;

　　5) Shortens preparation cycles for product redesigns and reduces corresponding equipment investment.

Consequently, they have been widely adopted across various industries.

Robotic flexible welding does not impose stringent requirements on welding robots. Since spot welding only necessitates point-to-point control, there are no strict demands on the movement trajectory of the welding gun between spots.