Ratesteel has taken ArcTig welding to the next level – the robot-assisted method enables precise, clean, and energy-efficient results without the need for beveling or backing. At the same time, it saves time and reduces work phases, especially in the production of demanding steel structures.
ArcTig is a precise, controlled welding method. It is based on TIG, or the so-called keyhole technique; however, it produces a clean weld without the need for backing or beveling. This allows many traditional work steps to be skipped, which speeds up production, improves quality, and reduces energy consumption. Although ArcTig welding accounts for a modest share of Ratesteel’s total welding volume, its significance to the company is all the greater:
“The ArcTig welding method is the result of our own development work. Thanks to our specialized expertise and targeted investments, we’ve been able to apply the method successfully to much more demanding applications than it was originally designed for”, says Erkki Kaatrasalo, Ratesteel’s Quality and Development Manager.
ArcTig Robot Welding Ideal for Complex Parts
Materials of various types and thicknesses are well-suited for ArcTig welding. Ratesteel applies the method in versatile and demanding applications, such as with rotational components and cast steel parts. It is particularly well-suited for boom structures and for critical joints in cranes and vehicles, where precision, durability, and light weight are essential.
“The majority of our products are used in cranes and aerial work platforms. ArcTig allows us to use thinner, stronger, and harder grades of steel, thanks to the method’s minimal heat input”, Kaatrasalo explains.
The ArcTig welding method can also be used with ultra-high-strength steels, where low heat input is a critical factor. The method is also ideally suited for joints in cast steel structures, as it enables a clean, smaller weld seam without spatter. There is little need for pre-processing or grinding, as the result of ArcTig welding is already highly refined.
Automation and DIM Method Guarantee a Precise End Result
Ratesteel utilizes the ArcTig method in two of its production cells, in both of which welding is performed by a robotic arm. The welding process is carried out by the robotic arm in both cells, and the overall setup supports the geometry-based DIM method.
“All work stages are based on the same surfaces and fastening points. It improves precision as well as ensures that the product matches the drawings and that compatibility is maintained throughout the production chain”, Kaatrasalo explains.
From an energy efficiency standpoint, the method consumes less electricity, and since no beveling is required, both the area to be melted and the amount of filler material needed are reduced.
“In addition, the method is very safe compared to, for example, laser welding, as ArcTig involves no risk of radiation or reflections,” Kaatrasalo adds.
ArcTig Gaining Ground
The role of ArcTig welding in Ratesteel’s production may grow in the future. The method is particularly well-suited for products that require durability, visual appeal, and dimensional accuracy.
“We’re constantly receiving inquiries from customers about new applications, and we currently have some exciting development projects underway. ArcTig is a continuously evolving method, and its areas of application are steadily expanding”, Kaatrasalo concludes.
Further reading: “We Have Almost Real-Time Insight on What’s Happening on the Factory Floor”– Ratesteel’s Delivery Reliability Based on an Optimized ERP System