The fastest way to get a useful welding automation recommendation is to bring real information about the work. A short list of parts, weld details, volumes, and constraints can tell an integrator more than a long conversation about robots in general.
This checklist is for fabrication shops, OEMs, and job shops preparing to discuss a 7-axis cobot welding system, robotic welding cell, or broader welding automation project.
In This Article
- Start with candidate parts
- Gather the weld details
- Be clear about production goals
- Share fixture and fit-up realities
- Explain the constraints early
- Decide whether to quote or test
Start with candidate parts
Do not start with every part in the shop. Start with a short list of candidate weldments that have repeat demand, known pain points, or a clear reason to automate.
Helpful information includes part photos, drawings if available, approximate size and weight, material, joint types, and whether the part is tacked before welding. If there are multiple versions of the same part family, gather those together. Part families often reveal better automation opportunities than one part considered by itself.
The goal is not to prove that every part is perfect. The goal is to identify which parts deserve a closer look.
Gather the weld details
Welding automation is still welding. Process details matter. Before an application review, gather what your team knows about wire, gas, material thickness, joint prep, weld length, weld sequence, and any quality requirements that affect the process.
Existing Fronius users should also note the current power source, programs, and process preferences. A Kassow and Fronius welding solution should be evaluated around the welding work first, not treated as a generic robot package.
If weld procedures or documentation requirements are part of the job, mention that early. It may affect system planning, software needs, and how the cell should be reviewed.
Be clear about production goals
Automation planning changes depending on whether the shop wants to reduce a bottleneck, quote more production work, stabilize weld quality, support a hard-to-staff process, or free welders for more complex jobs.
Bring approximate volumes, takt expectations if known, current cycle time estimates, and the reason the part is being considered. Even rough numbers help separate a practical project from a wish list.
For smaller job shops, the question may be whether automation helps them take on production work they would otherwise avoid. That is different from a large OEM trying to standardize one high-volume weldment.
Share fixture and fit-up realities
Fit-up and fixturing are often more important than shops expect. A robot can repeat a weld path, but it cannot make an inconsistent part magically consistent.
Before the review, explain how the part is currently held, whether clamps block torch access, how much variation appears between assemblies, and whether the fixture is already production-ready or still informal. Photos of the current setup are useful, even if the setup is not ideal.
Fixture issues are not automatic deal breakers. They are simply part of the real project scope.
Explain the constraints early
Every shop has constraints. Floor space, part handling, operator availability, existing welding standards, compressed air, power, ventilation, and material flow can all shape the final recommendation.
It is better to discuss these early than to receive a quote for a cell that does not fit the building or the way the team actually works.
This is also where 7-axis reach and weld access should be reviewed. If the part geometry is awkward, the extra articulation may change what is practical in the layout.
Decide whether to quote or test
Some applications are ready for a system quote after a strong review. Others should be tested first. If there is uncertainty around weld access, fixture approach, or repeatability, a real-part test may be the smarter next step.
The Spartan Bridge Program exists for that middle ground: shops that want to evaluate real parts before committing to a full cobot welding cell.
What to send before the meeting
- Photos or drawings of candidate parts
- Material and thickness information
- Current weld process details
- Estimated volumes or production goals
- Fixture photos or notes
- Known constraints around floor space, loading, or part handling
Works Cited
Fronius International GmbH. “Welding Automation.” Fronius Perfect Welding, https://www.fronius.com/en/welding-technology/product-information/welding-automation.
Fronius International GmbH. “Robotic Welding.” Fronius Perfect Welding, https://www.fronius.com/en-us/usa/welding-technology/product-information/welding-automation/robotic-welding.
Kassow Robots. “Robotic Applications.” Kassow Robots, https://www.kassowrobots.com/applications.