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Four Vectis systems utilizing the UR20 cobot for welding. | Source: Universal Robots

Universal Robots’ UR20 collaborative robot (cobot) is debuting its welding abilities with Vectis Automation, Hirebotics, and Melton Machine & Control Company at FABTECH. The UR20’s extended range broadens the range of weldments the cobot can achieve in a given fixture setup. 

“Vectis Automation is ecstatic to offer the long-reach UR20 arm onto our integrated cobot welding and cutting tools,” Josh Pawley, co-founder of Vectis Automation, said. “This cobot will have a huge impact on the market, improving on UR’s already robust and high-performance cobot products.”

The UR20 is Universal Robots’ fastest and strongest cobot ever. It features a 44 lb (20 kg) payload, 68.9 in (1750 mm) reach, ±0.002 (± 0.05 mm) repeatability and up to 30% more speed and torque when compared to other UR cobots. All of UR’s cobots are power and force limited (PFL) robots. Just like the e-Series, the UR20 is in compliance with both EN ISO 13849-1, Cat. 3 PLd and ISO 10218-1.

“Coordinated motion enables fabricators to weld larger or more complex parts without having to manually reposition the work piece or welding robot,” Will Healy, Global Segment Manager for Welding at Universal Robots, said. “This means UR cobots can weld more parts per run for increased efficiency and are capable of welding bigger and more complex parts.”

Also at FABTECH, Universal Robots partner Hirebotics will launch Beacon Recommendations, a new feature using AI to recommend welding and cutting parameters when setting up a part. This helps manufacturers save time while also improving the quality of their welds and cuts. The company is also launching its Cobot Cutter, which is the first UR cobot-powered system for plasma cutting. 

Additionally, Univeral Robots partner Kane Robotics will be debuting its GRIT system, which utilizes a UR10e cobot and FerRobotics ACF-K end-of-arm grinding tool to automate the process of manual grinding and finishing that comes after welding. This system works at twice the speed of human technicians and can improve material removal productivity by 50-80%.