Page 37: of Marine News Magazine (September 2021)

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they have scale and rust and you need ond system which automatically welds the human welder who can see wheth- to get them back to blue steel again,” them into place. The Pema Vision Ro- er something minor is awry and adjust

Bell said. “Pema has a blasting line that bot Welding Portals (VRWP-C is the the system accordingly. A side bene? t blasts the steel back to blue.” most compact) can be set up quickly of automating the welding process is

Plate joining is next in the process. and easily. Consisting of the plate join- bridging the gap between older weld- “We join the plates in the manner ing station, panel cutting and marking ers and their younger counterparts. that was prescribed by the SUB engi- station, SMP and welding station, the “The average age of a welder is 58,” neering drawings using a laser hybrid VRWP-C and its larger counterparts Bell noted. “These solutions transcend welding process,” Bell said. “It’s a la- (VRWP-S, X2) are controlled and in- generational differences. Incoming ser beam followed up with secondary tegrated using the WeldControl 200 talent can help the knowledge base to operation of high ? ll deposition.” The and WeldControl 300 Of? ine software enter their data and operate it simply.” system records all input data sending systems. Designed by welders and ship- “No boat or vessel builder is too it to the robot which will continue to builders, both software systems simpli- small or too big,” Bell said. “We have weld the joint until the job is done. fy the entire process by taking the data the smaller welding portal but can

The plates look a bit unconventional input by the operator—or captured scale it up if need be. There is no need when joined. Bell likens them to Tet- via scans—and creating programs for to buy a $50 million system. We can ris blocks. “You’re going to pro? le that the robots to follow. The WeldControl help builders ? nd the solution that plate and use the laser marking system 300 Of? ine’s user-friendly interface best ? ts their operation.” to mark the plate for stiffener place- enables welders to quickly and easily ment. The plate is then moved to the download CAD ? les then edit welds

Stiffener Mounting Portal (SMP) out- and robot con? gurations as necessary. ? tted with a gantry that loads the stiff- One welding robot can take the eners into the appropriate location on place of six to seven manual welding the plate. It’s all veri? ed with a camera, operators. However, it does not re- tacked into place and moved to the sec- place the knowledge and experience of www.marinelink.com MN 37|