Automated 3-piece Pipe Weld Cell

MWES designed and built a 3-piece pipe weld cell that allows for minimal operator intervention during the manufacturing process. The cell utilizes two robots equipped with Binzel Welding Torch Packages and mounted on a travel track. Additionally, the cell uses a 150,000 lb. custom hydraulic press that presses the threaded ends into each end of the pipe. The operator’s responsibility involves loading production information on the touch screen and performing changeover for the different diameter pipes.

The pipes are loaded into an unscrambler by the operator via a forklift. The operator then inputs the product information into the system and pipes are automatically loaded into the press station. The pipe automatically moves to an induction preheat station where infrared sensors maintain the pipe temperature until the weld station is ready to accept the pipe. Once the weld station is ready, the pipes transfer into the station, and welding robots use a tactile sensor to verify the joint location and welding begins with a specified number of passes on the joint. After the welding is complete, the pipe is automatically moved to a cooling rack and, then once cooled, onto a transfer table to be further processed.