September 1, 2023

Vancouver-based, Novarc Technologies Inc., a full-stack robotics company specialising in the design and commercialisation of collaborative robots and AI systems for robotic welding applications, will be demonstrating  its Spool Welding Robot (SWR), collaborative welding robot, and the SWR+HyperFill at FABTECH in Chicago, September 11-14, 2023.  

With the recent passage of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, America’s manufacturing base, across a number of categories, will be re-invigorated. Funding is already flowing to programs that support the development and deployment of new technologies, major transportation projects, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, and modernizing the power grid. Fabrication shops serving these industries are considering automation and robotic welding as a solution to meet the challenge of this massive investment.

Novarc’s SWR features a floating long reach manipulator, with a three-axis robotic arm at the end, which works with a human operator to increase their dexterity and flexibility. It is designed specifically for pipe, small pressure vessels and other types of roll welding, and is capable of welding flanges, tees, elbows and reducers.

“Implementation of the SWR has shown a 3-5 times increase in pipe welding productivity in carbon steel and up to a 12 times increase for stainless steel projects, potentially allowing the collaborative robot’s capital cost to be recovered in an average of six to 18 months,” says Rick Campbell, Novarc’s VP of sales and marketing. 

The SWR also lowers the repair rate to less than one per cent as Novarc’s welding robot works collaboratively with the human operator. For example, if a fabrication shop is currently producing 6,000 welds per year with a three per cent repair rate, they are likely spending around $180,000/year in repairs. By reducing the repair rate to less than one per cent, they can put those repair costs back onto their bottom line.

The SWR+HyperFill is a highly efficient dual torch system that increases heavy fabrication productivity to 350-500 Factored Diameter Inches (FDI) per shift by increasing weld deposition rates, all while delivering excellent weld quality. 

The SWR+HyperFill uses the Lincoln STT GMAW process on the root, and twin wire GMAW-P on fill and cap passes. SWR+HyperFill utilizes Lincoln Electric’s patented twin-wire GMAW solution, HyperFill, to maximise productivity and profitability. 

For demonstrations, visit Novarc at booth #B11051