Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW): Robotic Welding

• Duration: 5 days
• Qualification: Certificate (Accredited)

Available Opportunities
• Become Employable
• Start your Own Business

Individuals wishing to do robotic arc welding must understand the various issues that will be encountered when moving from manual application methods. Therefore, it is important for the individual to understand what must be controlled and by whom to produce sound welds.

The Robotic Welder training course is designed to give the candidate the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge on welding technology by equipping him/her with the skills to manage all aspects of a robotic welding operation including design and programming of the welding task, safety and troubleshooting of the welding operation.

The course also serves as a foundation to more advanced robotic welder training.

Course content

1. Safety around a robot
2. Welding procedures
3. Operating the pendant
4. Linear motion programming
5. Circular motion programming

You should be a holder of a valid Code Certification as a Gas Metal Arc Welder (GMAW) in the 1F and 1G welding positions respectively to gain access to the course. Should you not meet these requirements you need to attend a one-week practical welding course enabling you to weld a Fillet and Plate in the 1F and 1G positions.

Career Opportunities

Robotic Welding Technician

• Robotic Welding Operator: Operate and manage robotic welding machines, ensuring that automated welding processes run smoothly. This role involves programming, adjusting settings, and monitoring the robots to maintain quality and efficiency.
• Robotic Welding Setup Technician: Specialize in setting up robotic welding systems, including installing and configuring the robots, tools, and equipment. This involves programming the robotic arms to perform specific tasks and ensuring the system is calibrated properly for optimal performance.

Robotics Engineer

• Robotic Systems Engineer: Design, develop, and optimize robotic welding systems for manufacturing processes. Work with engineering teams to create solutions that increase automation efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance precision in welding operations.
• Automation Engineer: Focus on the integration of robotic welding systems into existing manufacturing lines. Develop automation solutions that enhance the productivity and reliability of industrial welding operations, including troubleshooting and optimizing automated processes.

Welding Process Engineer

• Robotic Welding Process Engineer: Focus on developing and improving robotic welding processes, ensuring that the welding systems perform to high standards in terms of speed, quality, and safety. This includes selecting the appropriate welding techniques, materials, and robot programming.
• Process Optimization Specialist: Analyze and optimize the performance of robotic welding systems, improving cycle times, weld quality, and operational efficiency. This could involve testing different welding techniques, materials, and robot configurations to find the most effective solutions.

Robotic Welding Programmer

• Robotic Welding Programmer: Write and modify the programs that control robotic welding arms. This includes programming the robots to perform specific welding operations, such as spot welding, MIG/MAG welding, and TIG welding, while ensuring accuracy and repeatability in production processes.
• Robot Code Developer: Develop specialized code or scripts to control robotic systems, using programming languages such as Python, C++, or proprietary languages specific to robotic manufacturers.

Automation Technician

• Automation Maintenance Technician: Maintain and repair robotic welding systems and automated equipment. Troubleshoot issues, conduct regular inspections, and ensure that robotic welding systems are in optimal working condition to prevent production downtime.
• Industrial Automation Technician: Work with a wide range of automated machinery, including robotic welders, in industrial manufacturing environments. This role focuses on maintaining and repairing automated systems to ensure smooth operations in factories and production lines.

Welding Supervisor/Manager

• Robotic Welding Supervisor: Oversee the operation and performance of robotic welding cells, managing a team of operators, programmers, and maintenance technicians. Ensure that production targets are met, quality standards are maintained, and safety protocols are followed.
• Production Line Manager: Manage the entire production process, including robotic welding operations. Coordinate the workflow between human workers and robotic systems, ensuring maximum productivity and minimal downtime.

Technical Support Engineer

• Robotic Welding Technical Support: Provide technical assistance to companies using robotic welding systems. Help troubleshoot and resolve issues, perform maintenance, and guide customers in optimizing their robotic welding systems.
• Field Service Engineer: Travel to customer sites to install, maintain, and repair robotic welding systems. Provide on-site training and troubleshooting services to ensure robotic welders are functioning at peak efficiency.

Research and Development (R&D)

• Robotic Welding R&D Engineer: Conduct research into new welding technologies and robotic systems to improve welding quality, speed, and cost-efficiency. This role may involve testing new materials, welding techniques, and robotics technologies to create innovations for the industry.
• Automation Innovator: Work with companies or research institutions to develop cutting-edge automated welding solutions, focusing on improving the capabilities of robotic systems in high-demand sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing.

Manufacturing Engineer

• Manufacturing Automation Engineer: Focus on the integration of robotic welding systems into broader manufacturing processes, ensuring that the welding robots align with other automated systems in the production line.
• Product Manufacturing Engineer: Work on designing products that will be manufactured using robotic welding, ensuring that the product design aligns with the capabilities of robotic welding machines.

Quality Control and Assurance in Robotic Welding

• Robotic Welding Quality Inspector: Monitor and inspect the quality of welds produced by robotic systems to ensure that they meet industry standards and customer specifications. Perform regular audits and quality checks on welded products.
• Quality Assurance Manager: Oversee the quality assurance processes in factories using robotic welding systems. Ensure that robotic welding operations meet all safety, environmental, and regulatory standards, and maintain high-quality output.

Sales and Marketing in Robotic Welding

• Sales Engineer (Robotics): Sell robotic welding systems and automation solutions to businesses in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and other industries. Provide technical advice and support during the sales process, demonstrating how robotic welding can improve productivity and quality.
• Robotic Welding Product Specialist: Specialize in marketing robotic welding products, including robotic arms, welding equipment, and automated systems. Work with engineers and clients to showcase the benefits of automation in the welding process.

Entrepreneur / Business Owner

• Robotic Welding Consultancy: Start a business offering consultancy services to manufacturing companies that wish to integrate robotic welding into their operations. Provide advice on system selection, integration, and optimization.
• Robotic Welding System Provider: Start a business providing robotic welding equipment, programming, and maintenance services to industries looking to automate their welding processes.

International Opportunities

• Global Robotic Welding Specialist: Take advantage of international opportunities in markets where robotic welding is in high demand, such as Europe, North America, and Asia. This could involve working in industries like automotive manufacturing, aerospace, and heavy machinery production.
• Overseas Automation Engineer: Work abroad as an expert in robotic welding systems, assisting companies in adopting robotic welding technologies and improving their production lines.

Trainer or Educator

• Robotic Welding Instructor: Teach robotic welding techniques at technical colleges, vocational schools, or within companies looking to train their workforce in automated welding systems.
• Corporate Trainer: Provide on-site training for employees in industries that are implementing or upgrading to robotic welding systems. Help workers learn how to operate and troubleshoot robotic welding machines.

Graduates of the Robotic Welding course at SAIW are well-equipped to pursue careers in a rapidly expanding field where automation is transforming manufacturing and welding industries. With industries such as automotive, aerospace, shipbuilding, and heavy manufacturing adopting robotic welding, the career opportunities for trained professionals are diverse and lucrative, both locally and internationally.