In the February issue of Maritime Reporter magazine Nirav Patel, Nuclear Navy Segment Director at Fairbanks Morse Defense, takes a look at the cobots (cooperative robots) that are being used for welding
In the February issue of Maritime Reporter magazine Nirav Patel, Nuclear Navy Segment Director at Fairbanks Morse Defense, takes a look at the cobots (cooperative robots) that are being used for welding in the ship repair industry.
He explains: “As a long-time principal supplier of propulsion systems for the U.S. nuclear navy, FMD is responsible for sustainment of a fleet of diesel engines that provide emergency backup power to onboard nuclear reactors. These 30–35-year-old engines pose a unique welding challenge. Years of service have degraded the engine blocks and the series of crank line saddles.
“Traditionally, repairing these components meant a human welder had to squeeze into a tight engine room to operate a multi-thousand-degree welding arc and achieve precision within a thousandth of an inch. Completing repairs on a single engine block with about a dozen crank line saddles would take around three weeks of grueling work. Robotic welding is reducing that time down to one week.”
Australian welding robot OEM Orbimax explains the difference between a cobot and a robot: “Robots operate at high speeds, so extensive safety measures are required. As a result, they are often zoned off and work independently from users. Robotic
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