Box Girder Welding: Dual-Robot Gantry Case Study
Box Girder Welding with a Dual-Robot Gantry
A JTCLASER dual-robot gantry workstation was used to weld a box girder without turning the workpiece over. In this application, scanning took approximately 3 minutes and welding took approximately 1 hour. These are measured results from this job, with scanning and loading outside the one-hour welding period.
Measured Process Times
- Scanning: approximately 3 minutes.
- Welding: approximately 1 hour for the box in this application.
- Loading and clamping: excluded from the welding time.
- Workpiece turnover: not required for this welding arrangement.
The welding time and the complete production cycle are different measurements. Loading, clamping, scanning and unloading must be included when planning workshop capacity. The one-hour figure describes welding in this application; it is not a quoted cycle time for every box girder.
Field Video: Gantry Weld Access
The field footage shows a gantry-mounted robot reaching the welds of a box-section structure.
Why Weld Access Matters
For a box girder, the workstation must reach the specified joints while maintaining the required torch position. The gantry arrangement places the robots above the work area. Workpiece placement and fixture design need to give the welding equipment access to the joints included in the job.
This application did not require workpiece turnover. Whether another part can also be welded without turning depends on its joint layout, dimensions, fixture arrangement and required welding procedure. These points should be reviewed from the actual drawings before selecting a workstation.
Plan Around the Complete Workflow
A useful feasibility review begins with the part and the welding requirement. JTCLASER reviews drawings, materials, plate thicknesses, weld positions and batch requirements to determine a suitable workstation configuration. It should also account for part fit-up, loading space, clamping and the inspection required after welding.
Scanning and welding should be measured separately during an application trial. This makes it easier to identify where time is spent and to compare the proposed workflow with the workshop’s existing process. Production planning should use the total cycle and the required acceptance checks.
Explore Gantry Welding Workstations
Explore the 9-axis gantry welding robot workstation for its dual-robot layout, working range and equipment specifications.
See the JTCLASER gantry welding robot range for workstation layouts and configuration considerations. For an application review, send JTCLASER your box-girder drawings and welding requirements, including material, thickness, joint details, batch size and available workshop space.