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%.
Worldwide weld metal consumption - by region
6000
Thousands of metric tonnes
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
N. America Europe
Asia
Other
Source: ESAB estimates
0
1998 2001 2004 2007f 2010f 2013f
Worldwide weld metal consumption - by weld process
Figure 5.12 Changes in welding
consumable types (Reproduced
courtesy: ESAB)
6000
Thousands of metric tonnes
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
Electrodes
Sub Arc wire
Source: ESAB estimates
Solid wire
Flux cored wire
0
1998 2001 2004 2007f 2010f 2013f
One should consider the higher capability of the robots today particularly since the prices have dropped by
77% since 1990 (Figure 5.13).
Price index of industrial robots for international comparison (based on
1990 $ conversion rate), with and without quality adjustment
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
Index 1990=100
20
10
0
Robot prices, not quality adjusted
Robot prices, quality adjusted
Figure 5.13 Changes in prices of robots
(Reproduced courtesy: B. Pekkari)
In mechanised applications one can further increase the productivity by using large packaging solutions.
Through Optimum Use and Innovation of Welding and Joining Technologies
Improving Global Quality of Life
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