Welding robotics gaining traction worldwide

THE growing robotic welding market generated $2.44 billion in revenues in 2014 and is on track to hit $3.38 billion by 2020, according to a new report from Frost & Sullivan. 

 

The widening adoption of automation across industries as a result of increasing modernization globally and rising emphasis on energy efficiency is fueling the shift from manual welding method to welding robots. The analysis, titled “Global Welding Robotics Fact Book,” sees robust demand for robotic welding, which offers consistency and repeatability and is vital in user industries, in the automotive and transportation industries. The electronics, heavy machinery, and construction sectors will likewise see growth.  

 

Marked energy efficiency improvements resulting from the use of robotic welding boosted demand in developed economies such as North America and Europe. Adoption of arc and resistance welding robots will be driven by strong demand from industries in Europe, said Frost & Sullivan Industrial Automation and Process Control Research analyst Guru Mahesh. 

 

"The introduction of new materials such as composites and carbon fibers in industrial processes will further widen the scope for use of robots in handling, cutting and welding," Mahesh said. 

 

Russia, India, China, and Southeast Asia remain untapped potential markets for welding robotics. This is due to the lack of awareness among end-users and the preference for low-cost solutions in Asian countries such as India and China. Further, the availability of cheap manual labor and limited understanding of the long-term benefits of welding robotics restrict demand for the technology in these regions despite their growing use in developed countries. 

 

Going forward, the Middle East, Africa, India, and China will be high-growth regions. Demand in non-automotive industries such as metals, machinery, electrical, and electronics will propel adoption in the Asia-Pacific.

 

"Vendors are working on increasing awareness on the various benefits of welding robots, including higher efficiency, repeatability and reliability. Conducting training and demonstrations through fairs and workshops will set the ball rolling for large-scale uptake of robotic welding across the globe," Mahesh added.