Can I Out-Weld a $100,000 Robot?

Are Cobots worth the hype...let's visit Hirebotics to find out.
👨‍🏭Learn more about Hirebotics cobot welding systems👨‍🏭
www.hirebotics.com
👨‍🏭Learn to weld in my online courses👨‍🏭
courses.timwelds.com
👨‍🏭HTP Welders (Revolution 2500 was Used in this Video)👨‍🏭
usaweld.com/?ref=timwelds

[@jeffreycutler7364]

I've programmed ABB, Kawasaki, Fanuc, and OTC welding robots. This looks like a dream in comparison. The best out of the ones I used to work with were ABB, but this looks light years ahead. Thanks for sharing!

[@Hirebotics]

Thanks! We try hard to develop our Beacon app and Cobot solutions so that any fabricator can get the hang of it fast and easily.

[@Notakebacks-sy6ji]

ABB is good, and had excellent customer service.

[@Hirebotics]

Thanks for visiting us! It was great doing this with you @TimWelds !

[@TimWelds]

Thanks for having me! I appreciate it!

[@StefanBlurr]

The biggest advantage of a robot is the scalability. If you have to weld the same piece 1000 times, this would be perfect.

[@140630vk]

they also can work 24/7 and dont complain or call in sick

[@solerso68]

​@@140630vk but if you have to move the workpiece or program another it will sit waiting till the end of time..robots can't fabricate, except on Futurama

[@aharp77]

Super cool, Tim! Thanks for another great one!

[@josiahhalverson]

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[@tinkering123]

Fun to see today's advancement. Only gets better.

[@WeldYouLookAtThat]

That is so cool! Im jealous you get to go play with all types of toys like this! 👍 Cool video Tim!

[@chaosserpent3979]

I really appreciate you putting out this video. I want to know all about automation and robotics. Even more technical detail would be nice, as well as a list of limitations and niche use cases.

[@Hirebotics]

This is the future for sure. Evolving the welding trade... Not replacing it of course! ;)

[@TheTurfrex]

You're good, my friend, but there's no way you can beat a Terminator!!!

[@TimWelds]

True story!

[@Jamisons_World]

@@TimWelds Hey Tim! Unrelated to the takeover of the world, just wanted to post on something you’d be more likely to see; Your videos have helped give me the courage and knowledge to get started welding on my own! Still just doing .035 flux core, but I’m beyond excited to finally be able to fulfill what’s only been an aspiration otherwise 🎉 Keep up the awesome videos!!

[@Hirebotics]

Haha! However, welders are still needed to make sure the robot does what it needs to do. It can't assess the quality!

[@gillihansmobilewelding]

A few people here seem really scared that a robot will take their jobs. That tells me all about the quality of work they do if a one armed robot can do better.

[@TimWelds]

There will always be a place for a skilled welder. Most welders that I know don’t care for much of the little repetitive work these robots are great at.

[@Hirebotics]

Welders will always be needed, their job may just evolve a bit. "Robots won't replace welders, welders who can operate robots will!" 😉

[@melgross]

I’d love to get one of those. But as I can’t find the excuse to get a laser welder, I certainly can’t find an excuse for this. But these are some of the things for my bucket list.

[@GaiusMarius65]

Ok John Henry… The steel welding man.

[@kurtdobson]

Interesting, but the $100k needs to be included in a ROI calculation.

[@douglaswilliams1081]

That was pretty awesome.

[@TimWelds]

Thanks!

[@gp_fabrication]

I've always thought these Cobots would be a benefit to small fab shops with small production runs allowing them to better compete with larger companies. They are an investment just like a CNC plasma but I think you could quickly make that back depending on the increased amount of product you can produce.

[@Hirebotics]

Exactly! With the Beacon app, we see shops setting it up for batches as low as 5 parts!

[@CraigHollabaugh]

How exciting, those UR robots are awesome! What kind of tacos did the robot want?

[@TimWelds]

I've never played with one hands on before, they were really impressive. The robot wanted carne asada, but unfortunately his order was consumed in transit...it didn't complain too much.

[@Hirebotics]

The magic is also a lot in the Beacon app which you won't see in other UR welding solutions.

[@CraigHollabaugh]

@Hirebotics for sure, the UR is just a motion platform. The awesomeness came your app.

[@andyf1235]

That is so cool.

[@chadchoate]

Nashville! You were only about 45 minutes from my shop.

[@TimWelds]

What a wonderful part of the country. I'm not sure if I've ever met a friendlier group of people than I did on this trip.

[@gillihansmobilewelding]

Where you at.. The Boro?

[@Hirebotics]

If you want to try it out for yourself @Chadchoate Let us know!

[@chadchoate]

@@gillihansmobilewelding Woodbury just outside of Murfreesboro

[@chriswing823]

Yes you can, because the time for you to setup, configure, apply, and just know what your welding and why, is not something the robot can even do by itself. Repetitive line welding sure, but who wants to do that forever. When the robot can walk up and weld without help then it may could beat you.😎😎😎

[@rogersliu1200]

the robot can out-weld you 24/7 for a month without needing calibration that is for sure😅

[@jheissjr]

How much does the robot cost?

[@replicant357]

Crap!! I really thought I had more time before robots 🤖 took over my trade … Aghh I need to start learning more about this to keep up or I’ll be left behind .. hmmm

[@Hirebotics]

You have the right mindset! Robots won't replace welders, welders who can operate robots will!

[@replicant357]

@@Hirebotics beautiful execution of wording! Taking a moment to think 💭 clearly about all of this though, I’m seeing the whereabouts of its use and potential take overs. But also see where it cannot be use as well. But none the less , production welding will be no more quite soon.

[@patthegunsmith]

Of course you can!!!

[@TimWelds]

Thanks! If I can't beat it, might as well join it.

[@spid3rmike117]

I've worked in pipe fabrication for a few years and those robots aren't as great as they seem. Always have to re-program it, needs repairs often, and the welds still fail x-ray/bend test every now and then

[@GeorgeEmperor]

Very expensive robot, because standard welding Robots like ABB, Fanuc or Kuka cost 25-35k €

[@Hirebotics]

You are right, but then you may not have the welding setup, software and it may take you months to learn. You surely wouldn't set it up for small batches due to the long setup & programming needed. So in the end, our clients find that they get way more ROI from a bit higher priced robot that is that accessible compare to lower price but needed to spend more time or hire an integrator.

[@GeorgeEmperor]

@@Hirebotics I work as an integrator, these accessories cost something, but the price will not exceed 60k. But the customer always chooses a cheaper alternative, because every customer has his own "robot setup", and setting up the robot via the teachpendant is just as clever as using a strain gauge. But otherwise I take it, it looks nice and simple for a new customer

[@Mahlonevans]

Looks like a festo robot arm

[@russellzauner]

See the "beer pong" video. Uses the same arm.

[@DeveloperChris]

No you cant. Unless you can survive on no pay and can work 24/7.

[@hellothere2865]

Universal robotics Its a danish Company

[@alo1236546]

Chatgpt joined the chat

[@GeorgeAlex-cl8cr]

I think your welds look better than the robot's

[@tdevosodense]

🇩🇰 Danish Robot 👍🇩🇰 Universal Robots

[@FirebrandVOCALS]

yet men made the damn machines

[@TimWelds]

True story. In all reality, it's just another tool that's becoming more accessible and flexible.

[@RonLWilson]

Cool... or should I say hot?

[@Skylos100500]

100 000$ 🤔

[@GeneralChangOfDanang]

I think plenty of people can outweld a machine. They just can't do it consistently...for 24 hours a day.

[@justinh2701]

Can you weld 24/7 then no you can not

[@testi2025]

Those UR’s don’t actually offer any benefits compared to comparable small “normal” robot, that has similar features. It’s true that UR brought them in to market in a compact and affordable form factor first. The issue is with those 90-decree joints. They are not as rigid as a normal configuration and you get multiple singularities, while normal config has usually just one per 12 base configs. So it’s far worse if you try to program it using coordinates or using a CAM software

[@gregorygrayson8044]

Everything has to be set up perfectly for it to weld

[@DeveloperChris]

Take a quick look at the progress AI is making. Not only will it learn to weld better than a human it will instantly teach a thousand other bots how to do it. and will be able to manipulate the object into the perfect position creating perfect welds every time. All the while not getting its fingers burnt or blinded by welding flash.

[@TimWelds]

It's true, the better the fit, the more trouble free the system is. For productions runs with CNC cut parts, the parts are generally repeatable enough with good fixturing. If the design, manufacturing and fixturing of the components isn't at a mature level, there would probably be some issues to deal with.

[@terry9397]

That is where touch sensing comes in. It can account for part misalignment for both position and orientation. You can use either the welding wire for physical touch sensing, or a laser for laser touch sensing. It does however reduce torch on-time, so production efficiency goes down. If you notice in his demo the parts are keyed to ensure the parts fit together more accurately for tack up, so you need to think a bit more about part design and assembly when using robotic welders.

[@Mike-lt6sj]

​@@DeveloperChris Ai will take human jobs, but in office settings. Robots have not taken over in manufacturing because they can't. I do robots.

[@chevylization]

The biggest disadvantage of a robot is that it will never feel proud of its work at the end of the day, nor will it have fun while doing it. You can fake fun in software but it will never be real fun.

[@kawistudytime3105]

taking jobs

[@matthewdancz9152]

Even if the most skilled welder in the world could beat a welding robot, how many years of experience and practice did it take to become the best welder in the world? Humans will never beat machines, who will continue to improve as time goes one, and will never need experience and practice to be better than us. The lower class, which is defined by their necessity to perform work to continue eating and participating in society, has lost the war to those who own the means of production. If your income comes from an employment contract to perform jobs, then you will be replaced probably by the year 2030 and there is little you can do to stop it. Simple logic led us to this inevitability, the weakest link in all supply chains at this moment is the "human" labor. A human welder gets sick, suffers fatal injuries, and is extremely expensive. This technology will collapse consumer markets, and destroy western populations. Not to mention it is going to drive the price of electricity through the roof.

[@lonerider5982]

No you cant. But if someone doesn't pay welders, they cannot buy products welded by robots

[@markmalonson7531]

The key is to have robotic fabrication do all the manufacturer out of any material at cost of raw materials and recycle. By having robotic printers and stations for every part in any assembly that is needed for any piece of technology you wish all from digital file all at cost of raw materials. Independent. This is the key for you to have everything at one 40th the price you're paying retail and to solve poverty and war the technology is beginning capable of being able to do this by a collection of the best printers speed accuracy and materials from the trade shows and it accelerates. The rate of deflation on the retail price of these machines basically generally it's 50% rate of deflation every two years. So within around eight years you're getting them close to free this is the rate of acceleration in the development because of the medium of personal computing the amount of transistors on the microchip doubling in less than a year it's called the exponential rate of returns on technological development based on the microchip same pricing is liquid crystal display screens for instance you can see the same it applies to all output of digital tech. With a model of crowdsource purchase of all the printers to print any part in any assembly it costs of raw materials the best printers from the trade show for instance the owners can print everything their own community custom designed with all the technology in it all at cost which is basically one 40th the price here paying for retail. And then the efficiency goes to cost of raw materials for everything this is what nobody that wants to sell it to you for more once you to do but this is what the technology is capable of now so decentralize. It's not a matter of it's going to take your job you won't have to have a job you can work at anything you wish especially using these creative technologies work on your body work on having parties work on advancing your diet and sharing the food with everyone there's a lot of things you can work on for fun and enjoyment please don't be programmed into you've got to work in a coal mine or be a boss of the newspaper like what ball coach needs to have retired in the boomtown please think a little outside of the box look at the advantage here!