Welding Innovations to Improve Manufacturing Productivity & Quality

Published on 13 March 2024

5 min

How Welding Techniques can Increase Productivity and Quality in Manufacturing

Welding, which involves joining two or more metal components to create a single entity, is a crucial process in the manufacturing industry. A wide range of welding techniques is used extensively in manufacturing processes across industries such as construction, automotive, aerospace, and shipbuilding, among others.
With the advancement in welding techniques and technology, manufacturers can now achieve high-quality welds while increasing productivity, resulting in cost savings and improved bottom lines.
In this article, we will discuss the various new and advanced welding techniques in manufacturing that can enhance productivity and quality in manufacturing.

Welding Techniques in Manufacturing: How to Improve Productivity in the Industry?

Robotic Welding

Robotic welding is a highly efficient method of welding that involves using computer-controlled robots to perform welding tasks. It is widely used in the manufacturing processes of the automotive industry and other industries that require repetitive welding tasks.
Robotic welding offers high precision, speed, and consistency, which can lead to higher productivity and quality. Additionally, robotic welding eliminates the risk of human error, reducing the likelihood of defective products.

Plasma Welding

Plasma welding is a specialised welding technique that uses a high-velocity plasma arc to melt metal and fuse it together. This method produces high-quality welds with minimal distortion, making it an excellent choice for precision welding applications. Plasma welding is also faster than traditional TIG welding, reducing production time and improving productivity.

Laser Welding

Laser welding is another high-precision welding technique that uses a laser beam to melt and fuse metals together. It is commonly used in the aerospace and medical device industries due to its ability to create clean, precise welds with minimal heat input.
It is also one of the common techniques used for dissimilar welding - joining two different metals that have dissimilar chemical and mechanical properties - which requires expert skills to ensure a high-quality weld.
Laser welding offers increased productivity, as it can weld at a much faster rate than traditional welding methods, resulting in cost savings for manufacturers.

TIG Welding

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding is a technique that involves using a non-consumable tungsten rod to produce a weld. It is commonly used for welding thin materials and producing high-quality welds with minimal spatter.
TIG welding is versatile and can be used on a variety of metals, including aluminium and stainless steel. With proper training, TIG welding can lead to increased productivity and quality in the manufacturing process.

How to Improve Productivity in the Industry: Other Ways

In addition to utilising advanced welding techniques, there are several ways manufacturers can improve productivity in their welding processes. These include:

Streamlining the Welding Process: By analysing the welding processes, especially traditionally popular ones like SMAW welding and SAW welding, and making necessary improvements, manufacturers can reduce the time and resources required to complete welding tasks, resulting in increased productivity.
Investing in Automation: Automation can help reduce manual labour and improve the consistency and quality of welds, resulting in increased productivity.
Providing Proper Training: Proper training of welders can lead to increased productivity and quality by reducing the likelihood of errors and rework.

Improving Quality

Improving the quality of welds is crucial for manufacturers, as it can help reduce costs associated with scrap and rework. Here are some ways manufacturers can improve the quality of their welds:

Implementing Quality Control Measures: Quality control measures can help identify defects and ensure that welds meet specific quality standards, resulting in reduced scrap and rework.

Using High-Quality Materials: Using high-quality materials in the welding process can help ensure that welds are of high quality and meet specific requirements.

Regular Maintenance: Regular maintenance of welding equipment can help ensure that it is functioning correctly, leading to improved quality and productivity.

Conclusion
Welding is a crucial process in the manufacturing industry, and by utilising advanced welding techniques and making necessary improvements, manufacturers can increase productivity and quality, resulting in cost savings and improved bottom lines.
With proper training, implementation of quality control measures, and regular maintenance, manufacturers can produce high-quality welds and remain competitive in their respective industries.
D&H Sécheron is one of the leading providers of quality welding solutions in India. If you are looking for welding consumables, maintenance, training or process optimisations, get in touch with us today.

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