Panasonic automates Haelvoet production line with G4 welding system

This will enable manufacturing sub-contractor, Grovinvest, to vastly increase flexibility and automation in the production of specialist medical equipment for customers across Europe.

First deploying previous iterations of Panasonic's robot cells in 2009, with a subsequent upgrade delivered in 2014, the upgraded production line at Grovinvest's northern Romania facility enables it to seamlessly manufacture four variations of Haelvoet's medical bedframes. With all required components automatically detected prior to production starting, Panasonic's TAWERS G4 Welding Robot System delivers the required welding precision and speed, whilst minimising ramp-up time.

Panasonic'sintegrated TAWERS G4 Welding Robot System optimises welding process management into a single controller for high-speed, high-quality arc welding. It features increased controller processing speeds, and optimised communication between the controller and the robot. When compared to previous models, the G4 is more reliable and smaller, saving space and costs without compromising reliability.

Furthermore, the G4's teach pendant touchscreen simplifies programming on the production line, whilst consumables - such as contact tips - last longer than previous models. This reduces the need to keep excessive spares, and minimises maintenance downtime.

The G4 also features offline programming software, enabling remote digital access to real-time production and system operating data. This enables Grovinvest's engineers to re-programme all or some of the parts of the welding process while the robot is still running.

Bogdan Pienaru, Managing Engineer of Haelvoet contractor, Grovinvest, comments: "Regardless of the size of components used, Panasonic's G4 instantly starts the required manufacturing program instantly - saving valuable time when switching between manufacturing programs. The welding quality provided by the G4 is superb; Panasonic continues to set the standard in welding precision, speed, and accuracy. Overall, our upgraded production line, and the service provided by Panasonic and SYN-TIG, has been excellent."