Offshore staff
ULSAN, South Korea – Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has developed mini welding robots for building ships.
The compact design of the welding machine, which weighs 15 kg and measures 50 x 50 x 15 cm with its welding arm retracted, allows it to operate in confined areas inaccessible to human welders. The robot’s six joints enable it to handle virtually all types of welding work at a similar speed to that typically achieved by a welder, the company claims.
Additionally, a magnet on its body means the machine can be attached to steel walls or ceilings. Because of the light weight one operator can control three machines at the same time, increasing productivity threefold, HHI adds.
With the installation of software for steel cutting, blasting and painting, the robot could perform other shipbuilding roles. HHI plans further improvements to make the robots usable for building offshore/onshore facilities – the first models are expected to start work in new shipbuilding programs later this year.
5/09/2013
