OTC Daihen operates a global business with 19 overseas bases in terms of production and sales. Its arc welding machines boast the top share in the industry worldwide. A collaborative robot packed with such DAIHEN's welding technology was newly released in September 2023. In this article, we will introduce "FD-VC4" - the collaborative robot best suited for arc welding by OTC Daihen, which is also handled by us, Thai Escorp.
High Welding Precision / Space-Saving / Easy Teaching
The Industry's First Collaborative Robot for Arc Welding
Until now, the use of industrial robots has been common in the automation of welding. However, the installation of industrial robots comes with significant challenges, including high initial costs and the complexity of setting up the surroundings. These challenges include:
"There is not enough space to install the robot."
"We want to use it at various sites, but it cannot be easily relocated."
"We want to ensure the same welding quality as industrial robots."
"There is a lack of knowledge on handling robots."
【Features of “FD-VC4” and Benefits of Implementation】
■ Industry-Leading High Welding Precision
The precision of a robot's trajectory is essential factor for high-quality welding. A unique control technology was developed that can only be realized by OTC Daihen's thorough knowledge of welding. The new control system significantly improves trajectory precision such as linear and arc interpolation, which have been difficult to achieve with collaborative robots in the past. It achieves stable and high-quality welding with trajectory precision equivalent to that of industrial robots.
▲ Example of the high trajectory precision of the FD-VC4
In addition, it offers a wide range of welding methods, making it applicable to welding environments under various conditions.
*Examples of welding methods:
CO2 / MAG welding
MAG pulse welding
Low spatter welding
Extremely low spatter synchro-feed welding system
TIG welding
■ Space Saving Due to No Need for Safety Fences
It can be used without a safety fence, eliminating the need to reserve a large space for robot installation like traditional industrial robots. Moreover, by eliminating the need for safety fences, it also reduces the cost of investing in peripheral equipment.
■ Easy to Move and Versatile in Application
By using it in conjunction with a cart, both installation and relocation can be easily achieved. Just as human workers move between distant work sites, collaborative robots can also be moved, enabling easy relocation to accommodate changes in production volume or manufacturing line configurations.
■ Ideal Teaching for Welding Sites
With features such as the instruction-less system "Photo Touch Teach™," which automatically generates teaching programs based solely on photo captures using a tablet, the intuitive operation pendant “JoyPEN," which allows robot operation akin to gaming consoles, and "Direct Teach," where movements are taught by directly grabbing the robot arm, even beginners can easily achieve teaching levels comparable to skilled operators. Teaching can be done with the same sensation as manual welding, greatly increasing ease of use and implementation, and also reducing the time required for teaching.
▲ From left: Instruction-less system "Photo Touch Teach™" and intuitive operation pendant "JoyPEN"
| Small installation space (no safety fence required) | | |
| Easy installation and relocation | | |
| Direct teaching, etc. | | |
| Extensive welding functions and welding peripherals | | |
| High-quality welding through high trajectory precision* | | |
| Operating speed | | |
▲ Functionality comparison with industrial robots
Even in welding environments that cannot be considered ideal, welding robots can perform the same motions accurately and repeatedly. This stable operation leads to increased work efficiency and the ability to maintain a consistent level of quality and standards. Moreover, welding is a process where differences in quality due to individual operators are particularly noticeable. By incorporating automation with robots, numerous benefits such as "uniformity of processing quality," "ease of process management," and "improvement of working environment" can be achieved.
Comprehensive After-Sales Support in Thailand
Providing machining tests using demo machines
Thai Escorp is among the top performers in handling OTC Daihen welding robots in Thailand, serving as a leading distributor for the Thai domestic market. With a considerable number of engineers well-versed in OTC Daihen products, we collaborate with Daihen to offer repair, maintenance, and after-sales support in Thailand. OTC Daihen Asia's Navanakorn showroom has a demo machine of the "FD-VC4" introduced in this article available, allowing interested customers to inspect the actual equipment. Additionally, it is also possible to perform welding work using this equipment at the customer's factory to verify its precision.
▲ Demo unit of "FD-VC4" at the Navanakorn showroom
▲ From left: Mr. Inaba of OTC Daihen Asia and Mr. Hirakawa of Thai Escorp
OTC DAIHEN Asia Co.,Ltd
Tetsuya Inaba
General Manager
