Shield Gases: Essential Protection for Every Robotic Welding Operation

Robotic welding takes on many forms, including gas metal arc welding and gas tungsten arc welding, better known as MIG and TIG welding, respectively. While the robotic welding process has many steps and requires different pieces of equipment -- robot arm, welding gun, filler, etc. – one of the most important things is the shielding gas, the material that protects the area during the welding process.

Shield gases can be inert gases like helium and argon, or semi-inert gases like carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen. These gases, in large quantities could have damaging properties, but in small quantities, they can enhance robotic welds.

However, shielding gas choice depends on the type of metal used in a robotic welding application. If a robotic welding cell is using the wrong shielding gas, it can lead to a weak weld or large amounts of spatter, which can decrease productivity.

Used correctly, these gases can protect the welding area so the robotic weld cell produces outstanding welds, even when the welds are repetitive or need multiple positions.

RobotWorx provides robots from Fanuc, KUKA, ABB, Universal Robots, and Motoman robotic welders, can help your company begin the journey to automation with welding robotics. The engineers and designers at RobotWorx can make sure your company has all the correct equipment, including shielding gas, needed to create strong, high-quality welds.

To learn more about the customizable robotic weld cells RobotWorx has to offer, contact a salesperson at 877-762-6881 today.