Robotic GTAW is a little-known process that has made significant advancements recently, thanks in part to the advancements made to manual GTAW that have made it more user-friendly and compatible with the environment. Applications that were once nearly impossible to accomplish can be handled with relative ease with modern GTAW systems. Even today robotic GTAW continues to improve and advance into new fields to create a better future for the welding industry.

Ultrasonic metal welding, around since the 1950s, has proven itself useful in a variety of industries where joining applications involve thermally conductive materials. While the process does have its disadvantages—joint configurations, thickness limitations, and difficulty welding high-strength materials, to name a few—ultrasonic metal welding has a bright future with the rising popularity of lightweight materials in the automotive and aerospace industries. This overview of the process will outline the principles of ultrasonic metal welding, describe the key weld process parameters, and note a number of process applications.

A little more than a year after implementing stricter hexavalent chromium standards to the metalworking industry, OSHA has gone a step further and released respirator fit testing guidelines to complement the existing standard.

Peripheral equipment for robotic welding can help maximize the effectiveness of an automated workcell and protect the investment from costly damages. Understanding peripheral equipment is the first step in getting the most out of a robotic workcell.